If someone else is taking care of your child in the hospital, do brief him or her on the dangers lurking in hospital wards. A child who has just recovered from an illness may have a burst of energy after being confined in his room for a few days. A responsible adult should always keep an eye on the inquisitive child and keep him out of danger and trouble.

My children have been hospitalised for illnesses like pneumonia, diarrhoea and injuries. They have associated a stay in the hospital with lots of new toys, storybooks, a break from school and a mini-holiday with full attention from mum and dad.

There are several things that I avoid doing when my child is in hospital. I refrain from nagging and telling him: “I told you so.” It is bad enough that he is in pain; it would be very unkind to keep reminding him that his pain is a result of his misbehaviour. Usually, I will reserve the lecture for a more proper time when he is well and has returned home.

I make sure, too, that my child knows everything that is being done to him. I will explain to him why he needs to have a certain injection or why he is in pain. You might want to avoid having too many visitors during the illness. The child may feel helpless lying in bed with so many pairs of eyes looking down on him. Having many adults surrounding the poor child and talking in terms that may be unfamiliar to him can be terrifying. The poor kid may misinterpret all that adult talk and think that something bad has happened to him.

Sometimes, the parents or grandparents may resort to alternative treatment in an attempt to speed up recovery. A small child’s health is fragile so it is best to leave the treatment to the doctors. I have seen a great-grandmother feeding ash water to a very ill baby with breathing difficulties, and applying some traditional ointment on the child. Menthol and methyl salicylate, which are commonly used in traditional ointments, can have adverse effects on some children. Thus it is best to check with your doctor before attempting to cure your child with some traditional remedy.