*3-years old to 6-years old. At these ages, children are beginning to learn about the days of the week and are developing a sense of time. It is hard for a child to understand why he or she needs an operation or procedure. Your child may worry that he or she has done something wrong. Reassure your child that the hospital stay is about having something fixed and is never a punishment. Use simple, short explanations. Consider telling your 3 or 4-year old child about an operation or procedure one to two days before going to the hospital. Consider telling your 5- or 6-year old child three to five days ahead of time.

*7-years old to 11-years old. At this age, a child is able to understand the reason for a hospital stay or procedure. In addition, children have developed a sense of time. You may want to tell your child about his or her operation or procedure seven days before going to the hospital. This will give your child plenty of time to ask questions and to talk about any worries he or she may have about going to the hospital.


*12-years old to adult years. At this age, it is best to include children in planning for the operation or procedure from the beginning. Encourage your child to ask questions and to talk about his or her worries about the hospital. Most children are struggling for independence from their parents while at the same time seeking their support. You may want to ask your child how you can help him or her through the hospital stay or procedure.

Learn more about Preparing your Child for Hospitalization

For Family Accommodation
Sleeping at the hospital
If your child is hospitalized overnight at Children's Hospital Boston, one parent can stay with the child in his or her room. Chairs in most patient rooms fold out into cots, while there are beds built into the window alcoves of the new Main South. There are showers in each patient room for parents to use, and lockers and safes where you can secure valuables.
Please notify your child's nurse if you would like to stay overnight in your child's room.

Dormitory-style parent rooms are available for parents of patients in the Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Towels and bed linens are provided. There is also space for one parent to sleep next to their child in the new CICU. Laundry facilities are located on the 1st floor of the Farley Building.