How to Help Toddlers Cope With Surgery
Toddlers might be too young to truly understand what surgery means, so if your child has to go through one, you'll need to be prepared. Aside from trying to explain the basics of what's going to happen, you'll also need to help them understand how to deal with the post-op feelings of pain and discomfort -- especially if your toddler has to wear a cast or bandages after the procedure.
Instructions
Explain the process in simple words that aren't frightening. Your toddler doesn't need to know that surgery means he will be cut open. Instead, talk about how the doctor is going to fix the problem that has been bothering him. Tell him what the process will be like: when he will go to the hospital, how long will he stay there and what will happen afterwards during recovery. Keep the words simple and stay away from anything that might cause anxiety. If your child asks about pain, you could mention that the doctor is going to give him medicine to keep the pain away. Buy a few picture books about kids going to the hospital or having surgery. Your doctor might be able to suggest some titles, or simply go to the nearest bookstore and search the shelves. Spend a few days before the surgery reading the books and pointing out how the kids in the books got through it and how happy they were afterwards. Toddlers might have an easier time associating a picture story with their issues than trying to understand an explanation from you. Pack a feel-good bag that your child can take to the hospital. A favorite blanket or toy, his favorite hospital or health picture book and maybe crayons and a coloring book if he's going to have to wait several hours before the surgery. This will keep him busy and distract him from the procedure, so he doesn't worry about it too much. Paint, decorate or have fun with the cast or bandages if possible. Cast decorations are available through many medical supply stores or via the internet. Some are sleeve-like designs you can slide over the cast -- and you can even switch them regularly for more fun. Prepare a surprise for when he comes back home from the hospital. If the surgery was intensive and he has to spend a lot of time recuperating, make his room inviting. Add a TV if he didn't have one or buy a new set of picture books and have them waiting on the night table when he gets home. You can also spend time planning on what you're going to do -- such as taking a trip to a nearby amusement park -- when he's feeling better, and then mark on a calendar when it will happen, so he can count down the days.
