Here are some common reactions your child might have in the hospital setting and what you can do to help them feel safe and comfortable.

Infants – Birth to 18 Months

Hospital Stressors

• Disruption of routine, sleep and feeding patterns
• Loud noises, sudden movements, and bright lights
• Separation from parents

Common Reactions

• Fussiness, crying, and irritability

How Parents Can Help

• Spend time with, hold, and talk to your baby as much as possible
• Decrease noise level and bright lights
• Swaddle in blanket when not holding
• Provide calming music

Toddlers and Preschoolers – 18 months to 5 Years

Hospital Stressors

• Fear of separation from parents
• Stranger anxiety, fear of medical staff
• Unfamiliar environment
• Loss of control, independence, and mobility

Common Reactions

• Clinging to parents
• Irritability and crying
• Regression of recently learned developmental skills
• Uncooperative and resistant behavior

How Parents Can Help

• Provide physical and emotional support with hugs and encouraging words
• Allow your child to make appropriate choices to feel more ‘in control’
• Let your child play: bring favorite toys or stuffed animals
• Normalize the environment by hanging up pictures of family and friends

School-Age – 6 to 12 Years

Hospital Stressors

• Misconceptions about hospitalization
• Loss of control, independence, and mobility
• Fear of pain

Common Reactions

• Regression
• Acting out
• Withdrawn

How Parents Can Help

• Encourage play and expression of emotions
• Allow child participation in care
• Be honest and use child-friendly language to help them understand their illness and treatment
• Treat as normally as possible

Adolescents – 13 to 18 Years

Hospital Stressors

• Separation from friends, school, and extracurricular activities
• Loss of independence and privacy
• Fear of bodily harm/deformity and death

Common Reactions

• Anger and frustration
• Withdrawn

How Parents Can Help

• Allow peer contact and visitation
• Respect privacy
• Involve adolescent in medical care and decisions
• Communicate honestly
• Continue education/schooling