Tips for preparing your toddler or preschooler for surgery
Toddlers and pre-schoolers have short attention spans, so preparation for surgery or medical treatment should be geared toward their developmental level.
Think about it from your child's point of view: a strange place, odd-looking equipment, unusual noises, different smells, sleeping in a new bed, unable to go home, cared for by strangers.
Akron Children's offers these tips to help prepare toddlers and pre-school children for medical procedures:
- Explain the procedure in simple language your child understands and don't take more than 5 or 10 minutes. Afterward, ask her if she understood.
- Stress the benefits of the test or procedure (i.e., "You will feel better afterward.")
- Tell your child where he is going, what is going to happen and why. For example, you might say, "You are going to Children's Hospital to have surgery on your heart so you will feel better."
- Use concrete terms when you explain the procedure because younger children take everything literally. For example, if you say, "You won't feel a thing because they will put you to sleep," your child may be afraid that she will go the way of the family dog.
- Relate the length of the medical procedure to something your child is familiar with: "This will take as long as 2 episodes of your favorite TV show."
- Tell the truth: Some things may hurt. Tell your child, "You will feel a small pinch when the doctor gives you your medicine." Give your child permission to say "ouch" or cry.
- Pack your child's suitcase together. Bring pajamas, a bathrobe and favorite toy or blanket, labeled with your child's name. It's ok for your child to take her favorite toy or blanket into the OR.
- Give your child something to look forward to after his medical experience, such as playing a favorite game, reading together or watching a favorite video.
- There are many excellent books for children about hospital stays, such as "When I See My Doctor" by Susan Kuklin and "Going to the Hospital" by Fred Rogers. Books can help your child become familiar with people and events in a medical environment.