18 month old staying in hospital...any money saving tips?

bylromarha

Hi all

My daughter is going into birmingham childrens hospital, in B'ham city centre, next week for a heart operation. It'll be a 2 night stay, which I can stay with her.

Obviously, she will get her meals. I don't get fed.

I don't want to eat in the hospital restaurant all the time as it'll cost a lot. I don't want to eat in the restaurants around the hospital as it'll cost a lot. How can I eat and drink cheaply?!

Also, what should I take with me that she'll need to ensure I don't end up buying a mountain of things while I'm there...thinking equipment here that hospitals don't provide but toddlers need. Space is limited as we're taking the train rather than paying for car parking.

So any tips to offer, either on hospitals or b'ham city centre around the hosp, on ensuring my daughters op doesn't cost us a fortune?!

Thanks:D

belfastgirl23

Hospital food places are often reasonably cheap (if they are the kind the staff eat in). You could just bring some bread and cheese or sandwiches for home for at least the first day. I'd also bring a small sharp knife and a plastic plate if you have them so you can nip out and buy sandwich provisions.

For your DD I wonder if some of the small juice packs might be good but I have no experience of this personally so I'm sure others will do better.

Good luck to you both!

mary43

It was some years back my son was in the National Heart Hospital in London for a heart operation and they couldn't have treated me better. There were no facilities for me and OH in to stay at the hospital but they booked us in at a salvation army hostel.....very cheap, good meals too and volunteers were more than helpful.

When my eldest son was in Addenbrookes hospital Cambridge they had a house converted to flats I could stay in. It was very cheap.....something like £5 a night at the time (we're talking about 16 years ago though). Food wasn't provided but we could eat at the staff cafeteria.........first class food at a very cheap price.

As for things for your daughter...........when my son had his heart op.(he was five) we just took in his favourite bedtime teddy. The childrens ward had loads of things -toys, books,all sorts. He saw these 'new' toys as quite a novelty.

Check with the hospital whether you might need anything else and also cost of meals in the cafeteria.........just in case. They'll also know of cheap places to eat if you'd rather have your meals elsewhere.
Good luck and best wished for your daughter.

tillybilly_2

hi there, i can't really help out with advice but just wanted to wish you and you rdaughter well, I have a 16 month old daughter and can only imagine how stressed you must feel about the whole thing right now.

hope all goes well and you rdaughter makes a speedy recovery.

xx

Quackers

The couple of times I've stayed at Manchester Childrens hospital there has always been a small kitchen available for parents to use.

I dont know how close you will be to shops but I had my car and was able to pop out for food at the supermarket.

They had a microwave/fridge & kettle. As well as cutlery & plates etc.

There was a notice that says you are welcome to use the tea/coffee/milk/sugar for the first 24hours but after that they ask you to provide your own. Although I doubt anyone would question you using it for 2 days!! There was also a small pot where you could contribute some money to buying replacement items.

We were in for a week so once I'd realised the system for my second visit I took a small bag of tea bags & sugar & a few of those little individual pots of long life milk - the ones you can pick up from cafes free of charge

Most of the beds have their own tv's with childrens channels available throughout the day so at least your little one should have something to watch whilst she is recovering. The tv is free for the children - I think adults have to pay but I'm not sure.

Also, as BelfastGirl said the hospital cafes aren't actually that expensive - its just pot luck as to whether the food is any good

Good Luck & hope it all goes well for you both

carolpinkdreamer

Hiya, The Brum Children's Hosp is right in the city centre. You are literally a 5 minute walk away from Safeway, Tesco and Sainsbury stores. None of the stores are enormous but certainly big enough to buy whatever you will need for your stay. I wouldn't load yourself up with too much with food as there are great cheap shops around.

fsdss

i cant offer you much advice but we've been taking in soups and the slow cooker to cook meals, although some hospitals have a relatives room with kitchen facilities you may not need to bring cookwear in with you.

my thoughts are with you - i'm sure everything will be fine

Savvy_Sue

You could phone and ask what facilities there are for parents, if there's a microwave you can use then life's suddenly a lot easier!

Tissues, paper towels, antibac wipes and gel are essential, imo. I know it shouldn't be hard to get these things on the ward, but if there's a spill far simpler to mop up yourself than go hunting.

And I'd take my own slippers with me! If you're not comfy, you'll feel more stressed.

Sorry, no idea what your daughter needs: our only admission is sooooo long ago and was unplanned. Blamed on constipation in the end: how silly is that? :rotfl: But honestly, for two nights, she can't possibly need a lot, especially as she'll be out for the count for more than half of it, won't she? I suppose the only question is whether she's potty trained, and if so is she fussy about a particular potty? DS3 was a nightmare ... Other than that, favourite teddy, pyjamas, blanket etc. But do check what you can and can't take in: they may be fussy.

Be thinking of you ...

Becles

If you have access to a microwave, my husband buys "Heinz The Big Eat" which are pasta and casserole type dishes that are really tasty. He's a postman and buys them for a quick hot bite to eat when he gets home. Heinz have also just launched a soup range in the same pots which includes hearty broths and stew with dumplings. They would be quick and filling for you.

When my son was in hospital for a week with pneumonia, there was loads of things to do. There was a playroom full of loads of toys. A nursery nurse did a craft activity every day like painting or sticking, and played with the children. When he was bedridden, we were allowed to borrow toys to take in his room, and there was a couple of TV's and videos on trolleys and a load of videos that you could borrow too.

Hope all goes well.

daveyjp

All the best with your daughter.

Our daughter was in Leeds General last Jan (gosh nearly a year already) and we used the staff canteen which is also open to others, but it's on the upper floors and not easily found. It was a bit school dinner, but it was cheap - see if Bham children's has one.

Too late now but joining a hospital fund is worthwhile. We received about £70 for my daughter being in for the day.

Ellie2758

The staff restaurant at the Middlesex Hospital is reasonably cheap. I bought myself a breakfast bowl for my cereal as there werent any in the parent's kitchen.