Ways to Comfort a Baby in the Hospital

Topic Overview

Try the following comfort measures if your baby is hospitalized:

• Stay with your child, or visit often.
• Hold or touch your child. Talk to your child, and be involved in his or her care. This will help your child get well, and it will make you feel better. It will also help you be more comfortable caring for your child when he or she returns home.
• Take some of your child's familiar or treasured objects, such as blankets or stuffed animals, to the hospital.
• Take some pictures of the family. Place them where your child can easily see them. Talk about what is happening with other family members, or sing favorite songs.
• Tell the nurses about your child's habits, typical routines, and general preferences.
• Tell the nurses about any special words that your child may use to tell others what he or she needs.
• As much as possible, help the hospital staff with your child's care. Find out whether you will be responsible for any treatments at home.

Related Information

• Anesthesia
• Evaluating Pain in a Child
• Surgery: What to Expect
• Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child Is Sick

References

Other Works Consulted

• Sanders J (2011). Family-centered care of the child during illness and hospitalization. In MJ Hockenberry, D Wilson, eds., Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children, 9th ed., pp. 964–997. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.

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