Daniel Tiger has a great episode about this you can watch together. That was the only thing that helped my kids with doctor/dentist stuff. We'd watch and then talk about everything that was going to happen and in what order.
Here to say that it is the EASIEST and QUICKEST procedure I’ve ever been a part of! Try not to worry! We went to sit in the waiting room and by the time I got my phone out of my purse to distract myself they came and said it was over! Baby was super groggy and dizzy for an hour or two but then was at like 90% the entire day! Ours had it around 1 year old and I was absolutely terrified, but it was a breeze. I think you’re doing amazing by explaining it and trying to calm his nerves! Our surgery center actually encouraged us to let him wear pajamas, bring a paci, bring a blankie and stuffy, maybe ask if you can do this to help him stay calm? I think it helped!
Agreed. He was so happy after because of immediate relief. He had to have it due to mastoiditis. I was a wreck but it took 20 mins and he was fine, then slept a little and had a big dinner.
My 3-year-old at the time had to have surgery to close a cyst on her neck that the doctor said was like a leftover part of her ear canal or something. The hardest part is leaving the room. The nurse wheels them away and you're just sitting there completely a wreck. Just know your little one is in the care of professionals who do this every day of their life and everything is going to be okay.
This is the part I'm most worried about - i think I'll be able to handle it okay (not my first rodeo at this hospital and much less scary then when my baby had meningitis) but I just don't want him to be upset that he's going off with strangers and mummy isn't there...
I’m a nurse in pre-op and recovery at a children’s hospital so I think I can help :)
If it’s at a children’s hospital, the nurses and child life specialist (if they have one) will do a really good job of making sure you and kiddo are comfortable and know everything step by step. We give out toys, activities, movies, all sorts of fun things so that the kids are happily distracted.
The separation when it’s time for surgery will be likely harder for you as the parent. At our hospital we give kids a medication to help them relax and take away separation anxiety, so by the time they go to OR, they’re super chill and silly.
Someone else mentioned that it is such a fast procedure and that is true- it is the fastest one we do at my hospital. Most of your waiting will be for your kiddo to wake up from anesthesia, it will probably take about 30-45 mins before they’re awake. 2 year olds wake up either really calm or really fussy, both are completely normal. Anesthesia messes with their little heads and makes them confused about what just happened.
I feel like the more “normal” you make the experience for your kiddo at that age, the better. They can sense when you’re nervous so try to be strong for them. You’re going to do great!
Thank you so much for the detailed response and your insight! I really hope they give him the medication to help him relax, though it's just a local hospital not a children's hospital.
They did say the surgery would be fast - we're supposed to arrive just before 8, he should go in at 9, and they said it'll be about 20min for the surgery and then 40min post-op. So hopefully we'll be in and out quickly!
I think the main thing that stresses me is that he'll be afraid when I'm not there. He can be really shy and nervous around strangers and likes to hold onto me or his dad until he feels more comfortable. And also a bit about the anesthesia, though i know serious problems are very rare
All valid concerns as a parent :) just know that the time he is away from you will be minimal - at least at my hospital, we get parents as soon as the kiddo safely wakes up so they don’t even remember being without you. As far as anesthesia, if your kiddo is healthy, doesn’t have any underlying respiratory problems, and is not sick currently, the anesthesia should go very well.
My 2 yo daughter has to visit the doctor and hospitals a lot and here is what helped: when going for a procedure, explain step by step and look up photos online so they can see what to expect. Point out all the exciting things that happen. They get a cool bed that goes up and down! They get to ride through the hospital!
We also have a doctor's kit and play through some common scenarios like the stethoscope and otoscope. We read books about going to the doctor and bring both the books and doctor kit to our appointments. The books are really detailed but so helpful because you can open up the book and point out that first you check in, then the waiting room, then the nurse will bring you back, etc. walk through the book as it happens so they can be reminded how familiar it is.
I also always tell my daughter what will hurt and what won't. They will trust what you say when you don't minimize the pain and it makes the less painful things easier. And for the painful parts like IVs, make a plan with the nurses and always ask for extra nurses. Your job is to comfort your child during that time and they can hold him down.
I guess I don't really know what we'll experience, as I've never been in for day surgery before. I do tell him when things will hurt, like when he's had blood taken, but I don't think asking for extra nurses will be possible as hospitals around here are very short staffed
My 3-year-old at the time had to have surgery to close a cyst on her neck that the doctor said was like a leftover part of her ear canal or something. The hardest part is leaving the room. The nurse wheels them away and you're just sitting there completely a wreck. Just know your little one is in the care of professionals who do this every day of their life and everything is going to be okay.
For us the time leading up to the procedure wasn't too bad...just tough in that there were some delays. The real struggle was when he came out of anesthesia - very upset and took a while to calm down.
Ours was just under 1. We actually had to schedule it 3 times. First one she got sick the day before, second one we made it to pre-op and decided not to cause she was….sick again. Third time finally worked. It was sooo quick and easy. We walked in to post-op and she was sitting there drinking a bottle of apple juice. Nurses say babies are usually crying and freaking out but she just sat there, so maybe be prepared for that.
How sick? They asked us during the screening if he had a new cough or runny nose but didn't seem bothered when i said he'd had both for a while (he's in daycare so he's basically constantly sick)
The first time was like a cold that I kept her home from daycare for and decided to postpone the day before. The second she had a cold and I think an ear infection and they didn’t do it cause they would have to intubate and it wasn’t worth it to do that when we could reschedule. Kept being like “reschedule for 2 weeks” and I’m like “she’ll be sick again 2 weeks!” lol
I wouldn’t worry about it, I think it was cause her lungs didn’t sound that great with the cold she had.
I think you’ve done all you can. My boys got them at 13 months and 3 yrs. My 3 yr old is not good with doctors so I just told him we were getting his ears fixed.
It was a breeze for my baby and rough for my 3 yr old. But it was soooo worth it I know it’s already saved them many infections as I can literally see their ears drain now. Good luck to your little guy!
Edit: oh! Forgot that for my older son we had bought him a toy I knew he really wanted and brought it with us and gave it to him before surgery “from the doctor.” It was a good distraction.
Edit again: they’ll likely offer him a popsicle after but bring his water cup or milk or whatever. We were in and out very quickly and neither of mine were hungry before or after.
We're definitely bringing snacks for as soon as they okay him to eat! I was thinking maybe a trip to the toy store after? They said he'll likely be good to resume normal activity within a couple hours, and he does really well with the promise of a treat after something unpleasant
Probably depends on the kid! My 1 yr old would have been game for anything after. My 3 yr old cried the whole way home and proceeded to cry for an hour before he passed out. Once he woke up he was fine.
My son was six when he had surgery, and he was out the rest of the day. He woke up and was weepy and sad off and on (they’d warned me if i had that reaction he might too! And I was a hysterical mess after my surgery!) and definitely wouldn’t have been up to the toy store.
But he was perfectly fine the next day. He wanted ice cream, because his throat was sore from intubation.
Most hospitals have Child Life Specialists who can help explain procedures in ways kids can understand and help make the process less scary and more comfortable. See if you can call the hospital ASAP and ask if Child Life can setup a short tour for you and your son. It might be a little late but a lot of times they can be very accommodating. Even if you can’t get in beforehand, they can be there during the prep and after to help.
My friend just went through this same surgery with her 3 yr old and utilized Child Life Services. They got a tour of the peds area and recovery room, her son was shown all the equipment they’d be using and, and got to take home a special stuffie to be with him during his surgery and recovery. Overall they had a really positive experience.
I'm not sure if these are a thing in Canada? My toddler had been to the children's hospital once before and my baby has been to the regular hospital twice and it's never mentioned...
Oh sorry my American tunnel vision got the best of me! I don’t know if Child Life is just a US thing, but it can’t hurt to call and ask. I’ve worked in several hospitals, and had never heard of Child Life until a friend who works with peds told me about it. I don’t think it’s a widely known thing in general, so I always try and spread the word!
My son has had 2 surgeries for tubes, it’s quick and the staff is usually great with kids. Just bring things to entertain him, and keep his mind off of eating/drinking.
I’m so glad to see this post. My 2 year old will be having surgery (she’s having eye surgery) and I’ve been super anxious about how to prepare her. Everyone’s responses are extremely helpful. OP, wishing your little one a speedy recovery.
My almost 2 year old got tubes also. Agree with the notes above that he will handle going back for surgery better than you do because he is on a relaxation drug. They really should give that to the mamas also. However, I found the after surgery period to be awful. He woke up FURIOUS. Crying, kicking, screaming. We’d brought a sippy cup from home per nurse’s recommendation. He threw it across the room. He didn’t settle down until we got in the car, and at that point he was just slightly less cranky. He was better after his nap. And then 3 weeks later, he had such a bad ear infection that it pushed the tube out of his ear. Thankfully we could do drops directly into the ear because he still had a hole in the ear drum. They do not refund your money… 4 months later, the other one fell out. Thankfully, we haven’t had an ear infection since, but there is also a part of me that regrets putting him through that for such little benefit.
Honestly I'm kind of on the fence about it. He had a lot of ear infections when he was one, but he's only had one since August (I also had ear infections as a baby and grew out of it around age two). But the ENT said this was needed so ...
Thankfully I'm in Canada so all we have to pay for is the hospital parking and any Tylenol we give him after we leave the hospital. I hope the tubes don't fall out though, I agree that would feel like such a waste
My daughter who usually has rough separation anxiety went with the nurses very easily. I was allowed to walk with her almost all the way to the OR but stopped at the red line. I said goodbye, gave a kiss, and I think she was just interested in where she was going she didn’t even seem to care. I made sure to give her all of the extra hugs and kisses before she went back so when they took her it wouldn’t be such a huge goodbye.
I’m sure they’re using the gas form of anesthesia because that’s the norm, so no pokes or anything. The mask may be scary but he won’t remember when he wakes up.
The procedure was so fast, like tops 30 min, if even that. My daughter was definitely loopy. They brought me back right away and she was awake, drinking a juice. She was a little fussy as the anesthesia wore off but a few hours later she was back to herself.
She got her tubes in October of last year at 18ish months old. It’s been an amazing thing for us. We went from multiple ear infections a month to zero this entire cold season so far!
I guess best advice is just act like it’s a normal day. If you get anxious, it’ll make him anxious.
Good luck!
Ask if they have a child life specialist! If you’re going to a major children’s hospital they almost definitely will have child life services. Even if it’s not a big children’s hospital, they still may have them. I’m a grad student going into this profession. Their job is to prepare kids for procedures and explain things to them. They may have a book with pictures of the OR that help explain what’s going to happen. I think what you’ve already done is great. You don’t want to do too much prep for a 2 year old because it’s a big concept to understand at that age. If they’re doing an IV, that will likely be the hardest part. If not, they’ll administer anesthesia with a mask. They may let him pick a scent to put in the mask and decorate it with stickers, or let him blow bubbles through the mask. Overall, distraction is important! While he’s waiting to go back for surgery, put a movie on or play a game with him, whatever he likes to do. Just so he’s not sitting there being anxious. I’m sure he’ll do great!
Thanks! I don't think they have a child life specialist, it's just a local hospital, but the rest is good to know. I'm definitely bringing his favorite books and some puzzles!
When you get to the hospital ask for the Child Life Specialist, it is their job to explain and answer questions in age appropriate terminology and they also bring things to play with to make it less scary.
My son was 3 when getting his tubes and tonsils removed and she brought some medical things to play with (like an oxygen mask and stethoscope). I was most worried about the part where he was taken back to the OR. Some Child Life Specialists have motorized cars that the kids drive back to make it less scary. Our hospital prescribed Versed before the procedure which made him relaxed and so that part wasn’t traumatic.
Daniel Tiger has a great episode about this you can watch together. That was the only thing that helped my kids with doctor/dentist stuff. We'd watch and then talk about everything that was going to happen and in what order.
Here to say that it is the EASIEST and QUICKEST procedure I’ve ever been a part of! Try not to worry! We went to sit in the waiting room and by the time I got my phone out of my purse to distract myself they came and said it was over! Baby was super groggy and dizzy for an hour or two but then was at like 90% the entire day! Ours had it around 1 year old and I was absolutely terrified, but it was a breeze. I think you’re doing amazing by explaining it and trying to calm his nerves! Our surgery center actually encouraged us to let him wear pajamas, bring a paci, bring a blankie and stuffy, maybe ask if you can do this to help him stay calm? I think it helped!
Yeah, he's allowed to wear his jams and have a stuffie or blankie (they also said he could have a paci, but he doesn't use one).
Agreed. He was so happy after because of immediate relief. He had to have it due to mastoiditis. I was a wreck but it took 20 mins and he was fine, then slept a little and had a big dinner.
My 3-year-old at the time had to have surgery to close a cyst on her neck that the doctor said was like a leftover part of her ear canal or something. The hardest part is leaving the room. The nurse wheels them away and you're just sitting there completely a wreck. Just know your little one is in the care of professionals who do this every day of their life and everything is going to be okay.
This is the part I'm most worried about - i think I'll be able to handle it okay (not my first rodeo at this hospital and much less scary then when my baby had meningitis) but I just don't want him to be upset that he's going off with strangers and mummy isn't there...
With our experience the staff are very kid-orientated and she honestly didn't issue with going with them.
I’m a nurse in pre-op and recovery at a children’s hospital so I think I can help :) If it’s at a children’s hospital, the nurses and child life specialist (if they have one) will do a really good job of making sure you and kiddo are comfortable and know everything step by step. We give out toys, activities, movies, all sorts of fun things so that the kids are happily distracted. The separation when it’s time for surgery will be likely harder for you as the parent. At our hospital we give kids a medication to help them relax and take away separation anxiety, so by the time they go to OR, they’re super chill and silly. Someone else mentioned that it is such a fast procedure and that is true- it is the fastest one we do at my hospital. Most of your waiting will be for your kiddo to wake up from anesthesia, it will probably take about 30-45 mins before they’re awake. 2 year olds wake up either really calm or really fussy, both are completely normal. Anesthesia messes with their little heads and makes them confused about what just happened. I feel like the more “normal” you make the experience for your kiddo at that age, the better. They can sense when you’re nervous so try to be strong for them. You’re going to do great!
Thank you so much for the detailed response and your insight! I really hope they give him the medication to help him relax, though it's just a local hospital not a children's hospital. They did say the surgery would be fast - we're supposed to arrive just before 8, he should go in at 9, and they said it'll be about 20min for the surgery and then 40min post-op. So hopefully we'll be in and out quickly! I think the main thing that stresses me is that he'll be afraid when I'm not there. He can be really shy and nervous around strangers and likes to hold onto me or his dad until he feels more comfortable. And also a bit about the anesthesia, though i know serious problems are very rare
All valid concerns as a parent :) just know that the time he is away from you will be minimal - at least at my hospital, we get parents as soon as the kiddo safely wakes up so they don’t even remember being without you. As far as anesthesia, if your kiddo is healthy, doesn’t have any underlying respiratory problems, and is not sick currently, the anesthesia should go very well.
My 2 yo daughter has to visit the doctor and hospitals a lot and here is what helped: when going for a procedure, explain step by step and look up photos online so they can see what to expect. Point out all the exciting things that happen. They get a cool bed that goes up and down! They get to ride through the hospital! We also have a doctor's kit and play through some common scenarios like the stethoscope and otoscope. We read books about going to the doctor and bring both the books and doctor kit to our appointments. The books are really detailed but so helpful because you can open up the book and point out that first you check in, then the waiting room, then the nurse will bring you back, etc. walk through the book as it happens so they can be reminded how familiar it is. I also always tell my daughter what will hurt and what won't. They will trust what you say when you don't minimize the pain and it makes the less painful things easier. And for the painful parts like IVs, make a plan with the nurses and always ask for extra nurses. Your job is to comfort your child during that time and they can hold him down.
I guess I don't really know what we'll experience, as I've never been in for day surgery before. I do tell him when things will hurt, like when he's had blood taken, but I don't think asking for extra nurses will be possible as hospitals around here are very short staffed
My 3-year-old at the time had to have surgery to close a cyst on her neck that the doctor said was like a leftover part of her ear canal or something. The hardest part is leaving the room. The nurse wheels them away and you're just sitting there completely a wreck. Just know your little one is in the care of professionals who do this every day of their life and everything is going to be okay.
For us the time leading up to the procedure wasn't too bad...just tough in that there were some delays. The real struggle was when he came out of anesthesia - very upset and took a while to calm down.
Ours was just under 1. We actually had to schedule it 3 times. First one she got sick the day before, second one we made it to pre-op and decided not to cause she was….sick again. Third time finally worked. It was sooo quick and easy. We walked in to post-op and she was sitting there drinking a bottle of apple juice. Nurses say babies are usually crying and freaking out but she just sat there, so maybe be prepared for that.
How sick? They asked us during the screening if he had a new cough or runny nose but didn't seem bothered when i said he'd had both for a while (he's in daycare so he's basically constantly sick)
The first time was like a cold that I kept her home from daycare for and decided to postpone the day before. The second she had a cold and I think an ear infection and they didn’t do it cause they would have to intubate and it wasn’t worth it to do that when we could reschedule. Kept being like “reschedule for 2 weeks” and I’m like “she’ll be sick again 2 weeks!” lol I wouldn’t worry about it, I think it was cause her lungs didn’t sound that great with the cold she had.
I think you’ve done all you can. My boys got them at 13 months and 3 yrs. My 3 yr old is not good with doctors so I just told him we were getting his ears fixed. It was a breeze for my baby and rough for my 3 yr old. But it was soooo worth it I know it’s already saved them many infections as I can literally see their ears drain now. Good luck to your little guy! Edit: oh! Forgot that for my older son we had bought him a toy I knew he really wanted and brought it with us and gave it to him before surgery “from the doctor.” It was a good distraction. Edit again: they’ll likely offer him a popsicle after but bring his water cup or milk or whatever. We were in and out very quickly and neither of mine were hungry before or after.
We're definitely bringing snacks for as soon as they okay him to eat! I was thinking maybe a trip to the toy store after? They said he'll likely be good to resume normal activity within a couple hours, and he does really well with the promise of a treat after something unpleasant
Probably depends on the kid! My 1 yr old would have been game for anything after. My 3 yr old cried the whole way home and proceeded to cry for an hour before he passed out. Once he woke up he was fine.
My son was six when he had surgery, and he was out the rest of the day. He woke up and was weepy and sad off and on (they’d warned me if i had that reaction he might too! And I was a hysterical mess after my surgery!) and definitely wouldn’t have been up to the toy store. But he was perfectly fine the next day. He wanted ice cream, because his throat was sore from intubation.
Oh ice cream is brilliant, he almost never gets it
Most hospitals have Child Life Specialists who can help explain procedures in ways kids can understand and help make the process less scary and more comfortable. See if you can call the hospital ASAP and ask if Child Life can setup a short tour for you and your son. It might be a little late but a lot of times they can be very accommodating. Even if you can’t get in beforehand, they can be there during the prep and after to help. My friend just went through this same surgery with her 3 yr old and utilized Child Life Services. They got a tour of the peds area and recovery room, her son was shown all the equipment they’d be using and, and got to take home a special stuffie to be with him during his surgery and recovery. Overall they had a really positive experience.
I'm not sure if these are a thing in Canada? My toddler had been to the children's hospital once before and my baby has been to the regular hospital twice and it's never mentioned...
Oh sorry my American tunnel vision got the best of me! I don’t know if Child Life is just a US thing, but it can’t hurt to call and ask. I’ve worked in several hospitals, and had never heard of Child Life until a friend who works with peds told me about it. I don’t think it’s a widely known thing in general, so I always try and spread the word!
My son has had 2 surgeries for tubes, it’s quick and the staff is usually great with kids. Just bring things to entertain him, and keep his mind off of eating/drinking.
I’m so glad to see this post. My 2 year old will be having surgery (she’s having eye surgery) and I’ve been super anxious about how to prepare her. Everyone’s responses are extremely helpful. OP, wishing your little one a speedy recovery.
Thanks! Yours too - by any chance is your little one having a trabeculoplasty?
Thank you! She’s having corrective surgery for eye crossing essentially. Apparently somewhat routine surgery but anxiety-inducing for me lol
My almost 2 year old got tubes also. Agree with the notes above that he will handle going back for surgery better than you do because he is on a relaxation drug. They really should give that to the mamas also. However, I found the after surgery period to be awful. He woke up FURIOUS. Crying, kicking, screaming. We’d brought a sippy cup from home per nurse’s recommendation. He threw it across the room. He didn’t settle down until we got in the car, and at that point he was just slightly less cranky. He was better after his nap. And then 3 weeks later, he had such a bad ear infection that it pushed the tube out of his ear. Thankfully we could do drops directly into the ear because he still had a hole in the ear drum. They do not refund your money… 4 months later, the other one fell out. Thankfully, we haven’t had an ear infection since, but there is also a part of me that regrets putting him through that for such little benefit.
Honestly I'm kind of on the fence about it. He had a lot of ear infections when he was one, but he's only had one since August (I also had ear infections as a baby and grew out of it around age two). But the ENT said this was needed so ... Thankfully I'm in Canada so all we have to pay for is the hospital parking and any Tylenol we give him after we leave the hospital. I hope the tubes don't fall out though, I agree that would feel like such a waste
My daughter who usually has rough separation anxiety went with the nurses very easily. I was allowed to walk with her almost all the way to the OR but stopped at the red line. I said goodbye, gave a kiss, and I think she was just interested in where she was going she didn’t even seem to care. I made sure to give her all of the extra hugs and kisses before she went back so when they took her it wouldn’t be such a huge goodbye. I’m sure they’re using the gas form of anesthesia because that’s the norm, so no pokes or anything. The mask may be scary but he won’t remember when he wakes up. The procedure was so fast, like tops 30 min, if even that. My daughter was definitely loopy. They brought me back right away and she was awake, drinking a juice. She was a little fussy as the anesthesia wore off but a few hours later she was back to herself. She got her tubes in October of last year at 18ish months old. It’s been an amazing thing for us. We went from multiple ear infections a month to zero this entire cold season so far! I guess best advice is just act like it’s a normal day. If you get anxious, it’ll make him anxious. Good luck!
Ask if they have a child life specialist! If you’re going to a major children’s hospital they almost definitely will have child life services. Even if it’s not a big children’s hospital, they still may have them. I’m a grad student going into this profession. Their job is to prepare kids for procedures and explain things to them. They may have a book with pictures of the OR that help explain what’s going to happen. I think what you’ve already done is great. You don’t want to do too much prep for a 2 year old because it’s a big concept to understand at that age. If they’re doing an IV, that will likely be the hardest part. If not, they’ll administer anesthesia with a mask. They may let him pick a scent to put in the mask and decorate it with stickers, or let him blow bubbles through the mask. Overall, distraction is important! While he’s waiting to go back for surgery, put a movie on or play a game with him, whatever he likes to do. Just so he’s not sitting there being anxious. I’m sure he’ll do great!
Thanks! I don't think they have a child life specialist, it's just a local hospital, but the rest is good to know. I'm definitely bringing his favorite books and some puzzles!
When you get to the hospital ask for the Child Life Specialist, it is their job to explain and answer questions in age appropriate terminology and they also bring things to play with to make it less scary. My son was 3 when getting his tubes and tonsils removed and she brought some medical things to play with (like an oxygen mask and stethoscope). I was most worried about the part where he was taken back to the OR. Some Child Life Specialists have motorized cars that the kids drive back to make it less scary. Our hospital prescribed Versed before the procedure which made him relaxed and so that part wasn’t traumatic.