Hospital Stay Pack List
When preparing for an overnight stay or after being admitted to the hospital, it’s hard to know what to pack for. The gift shops in the hospital may sell some of these extra items if you’re unable to return home to obtain the items you need.
For the Caregiver
Hospitals will have quiet places where parents can go for meetings, phone calls, or work, speak to your nurses or Child Life Specialist team if you need to book a space.
COMFORT
- Thermo-Rest (cushions the chair-bed if you’re staying in hospital with child)
- Pillow
- Extra bags to switch out clothes every few days
- Extra socks or hard soled slippers
- Ear plugs or sleep masks
- Protein drinks or enriched foods Rooms and wards at BCCH all have refrigerators and microwaves
- Coffee pods/tea bags – most wards have a Keurig/kettle for families
- Cardigan/sweater/hoodie
- Insulated beverage mug/ waterbottle
- Electrolytes and supplements
TOILETRIES
- Shower sandals
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Face wipes
- Hairbrush
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Medications
- Hand/body lotion – parents report the air is very dry in the hospital
- Glasses/contacts case
- Lip Balm
TECHNOLOGY
- Phone chargers and bricks (10ft long cords)
- Entertainment/work (tablet, computer, phone, books, extra headphones)
UTILITY
- Notepad or notebook for meetings/rounds/notes
- MyBooklet BC (information regarding patient you can hand to any service provider for a snapshot of patient)
- Cash/credit; parking pass can be requested from staff
- Extra face masks
For Child/Patient
COMFORT
- Drawing supplies
- iPad/tablet (hospital may have one available by request)
- Comforting stuffed animal or toy
- Blanket
- Pajamas
- Pacifiers
- Activity books
TOILETRIES
- Diapers
- Facecloth or washcloth Towel
- Preferred shampoo/soap
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Baby wipes
FEEDING
- Food if specific sensory/food requirements cannot be met on hospital campus
- Rooms have a mini fridge, microwave. There is also an additional kitchen with supplies.
- Bottles or sippy cups, something spill proof so that they can drink while lying down
- Bent straws – some hospitals have moved to paper straws, the old-style plastic ones are not always available
- Medications and supplements
By Family Support Institute of BC