At the hospital
When you arrive
Please go directly to your unit. You can ask someone at the Information Desk in the Atrium for directions.
A nurse will admit you and your child to the unit and will help you fill out forms and get settled in. We will make every effort to make your child’s stay as comfortable as possible.
Ask your health-care team:
- how you can be involved in your child’s care
- how you can help your child adjust to being in hospital
- what you should expect during your child’s treatment and stay in hospital
- who will be caring for your child
- who you should call for information
Tell your health-care team:
- your child’s normal routines and preferences, such as food preferences or feeding routines, sleep routines and bathing preferences
- any special fears the staff should be aware of, such as fear of the dark, loud noises, needles
- any special words your child uses to name body parts, important objects or needs
- if your child uses any special aids such as glasses or a hearing aid
- how your child is likely to react in certain situations and effective strategies to help your child cope
- how you would like to be involved in your child’s care, such as bathing or changing diapers
Staying in your child’s room
Most children have their own room with a day-bed for one parent. A nurse will provide you with linens for the day-bed and a towel. You should bring a pillow and blanket from home.
Brothers and sisters cannot stay overnight in your child’s room. Click here for information on nearby accommodations for family members.
Sleeping safe
- Ensure your child is always in a safe sleep environment:
- Children under two years of age must be in a crib.
- Infants should be on their back to sleep, unless another position is required for medical reasons.
- Always put the side rails up.
- Keep the crib clear of toys and blankets.
- Do not sleep in the same bed as your child.
- Do not leave your child in a stroller or car seat to sleep.
Meals
Please help your child select meals from the Meal Train menu you receive from the nurse. You can call extension 6622 from the telephone in your child’s room during the following hours to have the meal delivered. It will be delivered within 45 minutes of ordering.
- Breakfast: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Supper: 4:15 to 6:15 p.m.
An employee from our Meal Train office will work with you to adjust the menu to meet your child’s specific diet and allergies. Vegetarian, kosher and halal meals are also available.
Parent meals
Food can be delivered to parents through our guest tray program. Please ask the Meal Train office to send you a menu. You must pre-pay for your meal in the Terrace Café.
Parents can bring food from home, which can be stored in the fridge and heated in the microwave that is available on in-patient units.
Breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding and/or need to pump milk while your child is hospitalized, please ask your nurse if you can borrow a breast pump and pump kits. If you have questions about breastfeeding, please talk to your nurse or call a lactation consultant at 416-813-5757 (press option 2).
Additional breastfeeding rooms with pumps are located on:
Main floor, room M464 (across from Shoppers Drug Mart)
5th floor, Atrium, room 5703 (towards unit 5A)
You can store breast milk at the hospital during your child’s stay. Please ensure you take it home safely when your child is discharged. Ask your nurse to help arrange this. Breast milk that is left behind will be discarded after one month.
Laundry machines
Free laundry machines are available for parents and patients, 24 hours a day, on the 4th floor, room 4308, across from Marnie’s Lounge. Please follow the posted rules.
Respect
Families, patients, visitors, staff and volunteers are expected to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.
Privacy
Ensuring the privacy of children and families is of utmost importance to us. Staff will not discuss other patients or families with you. You are welcome to offer friendship and support to other parents and families, but please respect their wishes for privacy.
Photographs/Video
Please do not take photographs or videos of other patients or their families. Please ask permission before taking a photo/video of a staff member.
Reminder
We understand that this may be a new environment for you. We expect you to ask questions.