• UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine
UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital

 

UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital
  • About Our Hospital
    • Maps & Directions
    • Our Physicians
    • Family-Centered Care
    • News
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
    • UCLA Health Home
    • Maps & Directions
    • Family-Centered Care
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
    • Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
    • UCLA Health Home
  • Patient & Family Guide
    • Appointment: Call, Click, Come In
    • Admissions Information
    • Before Your Visit
    • During Your Visit
    • Preparing to Go Home
    • Preparing for Surgery
    • Maps & Directions
    • Facilities & Amenities
    • Outpatient Locations
    • Visitors
    • Health Plans
    • Health Forms
    • Medical Records
    • Billing Information
    • Health Resources
    • Health Tips for Parents
    • Office of Patient Experience
    • Share Your Story
    • Patient Greeting Cards

    Share Your Story

    Share your patient story on our UCLA Health blog
    • Appointments: Call, Click, Come In
    • Outpatient Locations
    • Admissions Information
    • A Guide to Preparing for Surgery
    • Maps & Directions
    • Facilities & Amenities
    • Visitors
    • Health Plans
    • Medical Records
    • Billing Information
    • Health Resources
    • Office of Patient Experience
    • Share Your Story
  • Research & Education
    • Children's Discovery & Innovation Institute
    • Pediatric Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Pediatric Board Review Course
    • Pediatric Residency Program
    • Pediatric Fellowship Programs
    • Pediatric Medical Students
    • Grand Rounds Videos
    • Department of Pediatrics CME
    • Children's Discovery & Innovation Institute
    • Pediatric Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Pediatric Board Review Course
    • Pediatric Residency Program
    • Pediatric Fellowship Programs
    • Pediatric Medical Students
    • Grand Rounds Videos
  • Get Involved
    • Give Back
    • Kid Captain
    • Bruin Run/Walk
    • Today's and Tomorrow's Children Fund
    • How You Can Make a Difference
    US News Best Children's Hospital Rankings 2016-2017
    • Give Back
    • Mattel Party on the Pier
    • Kid Captain
    • Today's and Tomorrow's Children Fund (TTCF)
  • Divisions & Services
    • Chase Child Life
    • Fit for Healthy Weight Program
    • General Pediatrics
    • Intervention Program
    • Neonatology & Developmental Biology
    • Newborn Screening Program
    • Pediatric Allergy & Immunology
    • Pediatric Anesthesiology
    • Pediatric Cardiology
    • Pediatric Craniofacial Clinic
    • Pediatric Critical Care
    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Pediatric Genetics
    • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
    • Pediatric Hospital Medicine
    • Pediatric Imaging
    • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
    • Pediatric Infusion Center
    • Pediatric Medical Home Program
    • Pediatric Nephrology
    • Pediatric Neurology
    • Pediatric Neurosurgery
    • Pediatric Palliative Care
    • Pediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine
    • Pediatric Rheumatology
    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Sports Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury Program
    • More Pediatric Divisions
    • Chase Child Life
    • Fit for Healthy Weight Program
    • General Pediatrics
    • Neonatology & Developmental Biology
    • Pediatric Allergy & Immunology
    • Pediatric Anesthesiology
    • Pediatric Cardiology
    • Pediatric Craniofacial Clinic
    • Pediatric Critical Care
    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Pediatric Genetics
    • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
    • Pediatric Hospital Medicine
    • Pediatric Imaging
    • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
    • Pediatric Infusion Center
    • Pediatric Nephrology
    • Pediatric Medical Home Program at UCLA
    • Pediatric Neurology
    • Pediatric Neurosurgery
    • Pediatric Palliative Care
    • Pediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine
    • Pediatric Rheumatology
    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Sports Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury Program
    • More Pediatric Divisions
  • For Healthcare Professionals
  • Find a Provider
  • UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine

 

A Guide to Preparing for Surgery

A Guide to Preparing for Surgery

A Guide to Preparing for Surgery

  • Preoperative Preparation
  • Preparing for Your Child's Surgery
    • Age-Appropriate Surgery Preparation Tips
    • Tips for Preparing Siblings for a Child’s Surgery
  • The Day Before Surgery
    • Eating & Drinking Restrictions Before Surgery
    • What to Bring to the Hospital
  • Checking Into Surgery
    • What to Know About Anesthesia
  • After Your Child’s Surgery
    • Helping Your Child Manage Pain After Surgery
  • Preoperative Preparation
  • Preparing for Your Child's Surgery
  • The Day Before Surgery
  • Checking Into Surgery
  • After Your Child’s Surgery
  • Eating & Drinking Restrictions Before Surgery
  • What to Bring to the Hospital
  1. Home
  2. Patient & Family Guide
  3. A Guide to Preparing for Surgery
  4. The Day Before Surgery
  5. What to Bring to the Hospital

What to Bring to the Hospital

Share this
What to bring with you for your child's surgery

We get many questions from parents about what to bring to the hospital. The quick answer is to bring the comfort items your child loves, whether it is a stuffed animal, book or tablet. We have toys and other items to distract and entertain children, but children are most comfortable with what they know.

What to Pack for Your Child’s Hospital Visit

Be sure to label all the personal items your child takes to the hospital in case the items become misplaced. Some things to consider bringing include:

  • Favorite small toy or security item, such as a stuffed animal, blanket or pacifier
  • An empty bottle or sippy cup to use after the surgery
  • Personal technology items, such as a tablet, portable DVD player, music player, handheld games, laptops for older children. We offer free Wi-Fi throughout the hospital for patients and family members.
  • Reading material, such as books, schoolwork or magazines
  • For overnight stays:
    • Cosmetics and soaps. (We provide basic toiletries, but children are often more comfortable with their own).
    • Bathrobe if desired and one change of clothes (including underwear). We will provide socks, but children may prefer their own.
    • We carry most infant formulas. However, if your child requires specialized food items or has any specific food allergies or restrictions, please bring a supply with you for the entire stay.

Things you do NOT need to bring include:

  • Medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, or supplements (unless your child's physician specifically requests that you bring them)
  • Diapers and wipes (we will provide)
  • Any valuable items that could be stolen or lost

If your child is expected to be admitted for a prolonged hospital stay, please refer to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital Admissions for further information. Please call your child’s surgeon if you are not sure how long your child will stay in the hospital after surgery.

What to Read Next

Read about checking into surgery.

Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest
  • UCLA Health
  • Find a Doctor
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing
  • UCLA Campus
  • Directory
  • Newsroom
  • Subscribe
  • Patient Stories
  • Giving
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • International Services
  • Privacy Practices
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Billing
  • Health Plans
  • Emergency
  • Report Broken Links
  • Terms of Use
  • 1-310-825-2631
  • Maps & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Your Feedback
  • Report Misconduct
  • Get Social
  • Sitemap
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest

Sign in to myUCLAhealth

Learn more about myUCLAhealth