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Supporting Your Young Child in the Hospital Toolbox

Having a child in the hospital can be one of the most stressful and emotional experiences for families. With medical appointments, therapies, medications, and routine changes, life can become overwhelming. It can affect your child’s development and well-being, as well as your family’s schedules, relationships, and self-care. This toolbox is designed to help make this journey a little easier. You will find practical tools, supportive resources, and family stories to help guide you through your child’s hospital experience – whether you are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), navigating ongoing hospital care, or preparing to return home.

Toddler in pink hospital gown sitting on bed

Preparing Your Child for the Hospital

Preparing your child for the hospital can make a significant difference in how they understand and cope with the experience. Children feel more secure when they know what to expect, have a chance to ask questions, and are given some control.

Why Preparation Matters

Helping prepare your child for the hospital can:

  • Help them understand what is happening and why
  • Reduce fear and confusion
  • Help your child handle stress and feel more confident
  • Help them feel more in control
  • Help them talk about their feelings in healthy ways

When to Prepare

Every child and situation is different. Preparation will depend on your child’s age, feelings, and the reason for the hospital visit.

You may want to think about:

  • How much time you have to prepare before going to the hospital
  • How worried or upset your child feels

How to Prepare

There are several helpful ways to prepare children for a hospital stay:

Helping your child understand:

  • Share simple, honest explanations about what your child will see, hear, and feel. If children know what to expect, it will likely lower their stress level. 
  • Use language such as “you might feel the doctor touch your arm with something cold”. If possible and appropriate, show your child pictures of materials or procedures ahead of time.

Helping your child feel calm and supported:

  • Help your child focus on ways to stay calm before a procedure. Reassure them that they are not in trouble and that the hospital is a place to help them feel better.
  • Offer comfort items, choices, and calming activities such as deep breathing or music.

In this video, Aleya shares her experience as a parent whose child received care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She provides her insight by answering three questions:

  • What was your family’s experience while receiving care in the NICU?
  • How would you describe your relationship with your NICU care team?
  • What advice would you give to other families that are entering the NICU?

The Role of Child Life Specialists

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are healthcare professionals that work closely with children and families during a hospital stay. They use age-appropriate strategies to help children understand and cope with the challenges of hospitalization. Through activities such as therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education tailored to the child’s level, Child Life Specialists help children feel more comfortable during their hospital stay. 

In this clip, Abigail Stanley, a certified Child Life Specialist, provides an overview of how Child Life Specialists support families in medical settings.

Why is the work of a Certified Child Life Specialist important?

  • Child life services help guide children and families through difficult times.
  • CCLS are advocates for children and their families to ensure their needs are being met.
  • Having a CCLS present reduces both parent and child anxiety.
  • They empower children as they may enter an unfamiliar environment, such as the hospital, providing play opportunities and a sense of comfort.

For more information, see the article What Is A Child Life Specialist?

Supporting Siblings

Siblings also need support and understanding during this time. They may experience many big emotions as they adjust to changes in attention, routines, and family dynamics. For children’s books on being a sibling of a premature baby, see the Parents and Siblings of Premature Infants resource guide.

Ways to support siblings include: 

  • Talk about what is happening in an age-appropriate way 
  • Involve them in helping or visiting when possible 
  • Keep routines and special time with them whenever you can 
  • Encourage them to express their feelings through words, art, and play 

NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Connecting Hospital to Home

Bringing your baby home after a NICU stay is an exciting step that can also feel overwhelming. Recently passed Illinois legislation strengthens the role of hospitals and particularly the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in connecting families to the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program. NICU staff will provide written information about EI to families whose child is admitted to the NICU. In addition, a hospital staff member will start a written referral to the EI program for a child who automatically qualifies for the EI program. This has been common practice for many NICUs, but this legislation strengthens this role and specifically mentions children born weighing less than 1000 grams.

Early Intervention can help bridge the gap between hospital and home. The EI program provides services and supports for children under age three who may need extra support meeting developmental milestones. For more resources on EI that are specific to NICU families, see Early Intervention: A NICU Parent’s Guide to Early Intervention Services and Resources.

How EI Helps During the Transition

When possible, early intervention professionals will be part of the team that helps your family with the transition out of the NICU. This could include meeting to determine services after you leave the NICU based on your family’s resources, priorities and concerns. The amount of EI services may be different from the therapies your child received in the NICU. Early Intervention uses a form of coaching to help your family help your child in between your EI visits. You can discuss with your EI team and the NICU staff what this looks like for your family.  

Continuing care at home

EI providers work with your family to carry over strategies, exercises, and routines that began in the hospital to support your child’s growth and development at home.

Collaboration Between Teams

With your permission, hospital staff and EI providers can share important information about your child’s needs to help support a smooth transition home.

In this video, Joanette shares her experience as a parent whose child received care in the NICU and was then referred to the Early Intervention (EI) program. She provides her insight by answering three questions:

  • How did you first become involved with the early intervention program from your time in the NICU?
  • How did your NICU and EI teams work together to bridge the gap between hospital and home-based services?
  • What advice would you give to other families that are referred to EI from the NICU?
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Publication date: 2025