What to Bring to the Hospital

Preparing to Stay at the Hospital: A Checklist for Children

child packing suitcase

Be sure all personal items are labeled with your child's name.

Items for Infants

We'll supply daily care needs, including diapers, food and bottles. You'll need to provide:

  • An appropriate size car seat and base for discharge
  • Any additional baby-care items

Personal Items for Older Children

Teens and preteens may want to bring:

  • Books, magazines
  • Cosmetics
  • Phones, tablets or other electronics, chargers, headphones 
  • Schoolwork

Personal Items for All Ages

  • Pajamas, slippers, bathrobe, comfortable clothes, shoes and socks
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush and shampoo
  • A "security" item like a stuffed animal or blanket
  • Any special devices or equipment needed (eyeglasses, hearing aids, contacts, wheelchair, etc.)

Logistical Items

Make sure you provide:

  • A list of your child's medicines (including herbal remedies and supplements) with current dosage amounts 
  • A list of all allergies to medicine and food
  • Hospital records from other hospitals 
  • Your child's Social Security card
  • Your child's health insurance or medical assistance card
  • Your child's primary care doctor's name, mailing address and phone number
  • Referring doctor's name and mailing address, if different from the primary care doctor
  • Your child's pharmacy name and phone number 
  • Legal guardian or custody papers, if necessary
  • Your child's signed advance directive or living will if the child is 18 years of age or older (if you have a yellow-colored Durable Do Not Resuscitate order, please bring the original)
  • Any forms requested by the Admissions Department

What Parents May Need

  • Medications you take
  • A change of comfortable clothes and shoes for overnight stays with your child
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, razors, lotion, brush, etc.
  • Small projects for quiet time like a book or craft
  • Money for your meals in the cafeteria
  • Prepaid phone card if needed
  • Driver's license or other form of photo identification

Breastfeeding Mothers

Nursing mothers should bring expressed milk in containers labeled with the time and date it was expressed. Please pack containers in ice and keep as cold as possible. The hospital will provide refrigeration, electric breast pumps and all necessary supplies to continue breastfeeding throughout your child’s hospitalization. Please notify your child's nurse if you are breastfeeding. See our FAQs on breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Not to Bring

Please do not bring:

  • Other children — your child will need your undivided attention; see our current visitor restrictions 
  • Electrical appliances, such as hair dryers or curling irons
  • Valuables or large amounts of money — the hospital does not assume responsibility in cases of loss or damage
  • Remote-controlled or friction-powered toys
  • Rubber or latex balloons, due to the risk of choking or suffocation; any balloons your child may receive as gifts should be made of Mylar or foil

Before You Bring Flowers, Food or Gifts

Check with your child's nurse about special restrictions.

Information to Let Us Know

Let us know if you have:

  • Dietary restrictions and preferences
  • Language interpretation and communication assistance needs
  • Religious or cultural preferences
  • Special needs of your child and family
  • Any visitor restrictions or safety concerns