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Is it OK to take a teddy bear into hospital with you?

M

Misty Avich

Hellooooooooooo!!!
V.I.P Member
Nothing is promised yet but if my ears and sinuses carry on like they're carrying on I could be referred to hospital for an operation. I haven't been in hospital for almost 20 years, the last time I went my mum stayed with me (I was still a child back then).
If I do have to go into hospital, I'd most likely take my teddy bear, as he brings me comfort and also luck. He's also good to fiddle with and squeeze. But something tells me the nurses might criticise, and I don't like being criticised about my choices that aren't hurting anyone. When my grandmother was in hospital she felt quite scared and emotional, but the nurses just told her to pull herself together, in an unfriendly tone. So I know that nurses can be callous.

I know the NHS staff are rushed off their feet but I still don't think that gives them an excuse to criticise patients for things like bringing a teddy bear, whether they're adults or not. Having an operation, even just a small one, can be daunting, and adults should be allowed to bring whatever they like into hospital with them if it helps them relax.

Will I get criticised for having a teddy bear in hospital with me?
 
Misty Avich said:
Nothing is promised yet but if my ears and sinuses carry on like they're carrying on I could be referred to hospital for an operation. I haven't been in hospital for almost 20 years, the last time I went my mum stayed with me (I was still a child back then).
If I do have to go into hospital, I'd most likely take my teddy bear, as he brings me comfort and also luck. He's also good to fiddle with and squeeze. But something tells me the nurses might criticise, and I don't like being criticised about my choices that aren't hurting anyone. When my grandmother was in hospital she felt quite scared and emotional, but the nurses just told her to pull herself together, in an unfriendly tone. So I know that nurses can be callous.

I know the NHS staff are rushed off their feet but I still don't think that gives them an excuse to criticise patients for things like bringing a teddy bear, whether they're adults or not. Having an operation, even just a small one, can be daunting, and adults should be allowed to bring whatever they like into hospital with them if it helps them relax.

Will I get criticised for having a teddy bear in hospital with me?
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You could consider a hospital passport and write on it that you're autistic and you need to have your bear.

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/my-health-passport
 
Just take the bear with you. Who cares what the hospital staff thinks? If the bear gets in their way, they'll just put it on the bedside table or chair in your room.
 
I'm not autistic as such but I do have anxiety, especially in hospitals.
I'm not embarrassed or anything but I just don't like people criticising. I mean, I would take a pet but that probably won't be allowed lol.
 

Is it OK to take a teddy bear into hospital with you?​

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Absolutely, positively, without a doubt.

I think you should ask yourself why you are even asking this question. This is a time to not worry about what others think of you. Have faith in your own thoughts, feelings, and desires.
 
It can't go for the surgery but it can stay on your little table or bed until you return from surgery. Good luck, may you be out soon of the hospital. Everything has to be sterilized and clean in surgery.
 
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Yes it is absolutely okay to take your teddy bear with you. I took mine to my sleep study. Who care what other people think. If they don’t like it then they can look the other way. I hope your surgery goes well and you have a great recovery.
 
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Consider Huxley…

Huxley goes where I go. Why? Because sometimes Rocky is not allowed. Occasionally Huxley gets stuffed all the way into the bag, but most often, he is left to peek his head out a little bit. Does anyone judge me for this? I have no idea. I never even considered it. Huxley is my friend and he goes with me.

It doesn’t matter what people think about these types of things. Maybe your brain will taunt and torment you and say, “People will laugh at you. People will judge you.“ Well, that is a good time to say, “enough out of you for today brain.“ If you have a little friend that makes you feel better, bring them along anywhere and everywhere.
 
There is actually a reason for not taking stuffed animals into certain points of a hospital, being that they are often what introduces infection or virus into said areas. ICU and such mostly, but I would most certainly think it wouldn't be allowed in an operating room - basically anywhere that they will want completely sterile, which does often include recovery rooms immediately after any major operation. At the same time, and I know it's for your comfort, but it's worth thinking about if you are going to be waiting in an ER lobby around a bunch of sick, coughing, sneezing types that your stuffed animal will just absorb...and then you'd be taking it home with you, etc.
 
If I had my big blue teddy bear with me ( stupidly gave to my youngest sister, when she went into care, in order to stop her crying), I would definitely bring him with me. Even as old as I am ( 53), I would still bring him, because he gave me comfort when I did have him. In fact, if he is "alive" still, then he would also be 53, as my dear grandad gave it to me, when I was born ( was told).

I am quite open about being on the spectrum and thus, it would not look as though I deserve to be in a mental institution ( at least I hope not lol).

I am from the uk, but have lived in France for over 20 years now and I can tell you, hospital staff are just as bad as the uk.
 
I don't see why having a teddy with you should present a problem. If it's minor surgery, you probably won't be at the hospital for long. In which case, you give the teddy to whoever is with you while you have your surgery, and you'll get it back once you leave the recovery area.

If you are having more major surgery that requires a stay in hospital, then you will be able to keep it with you on the ward.

You could phone the hospital to ask about it, they should be able to give you more details on the rules on personal belongings there.

You could print out an autism card to take with you, explaining how autism may affect you and how a teddy can help you. I believe the NHS has some printable cards or papers on their site.
 
Take the stuffed animal. Just do it. Don't even explain it.

After over 60 years of worrying what other think, I quit. Quitting works.

I highly recommend this as a survival strategy for all humans.
 
Misty Avich said:
Nothing is promised yet but if my ears and sinuses carry on like they're carrying on I could be referred to hospital for an operation. I haven't been in hospital for almost 20 years, the last time I went my mum stayed with me (I was still a child back then).
If I do have to go into hospital, I'd most likely take my teddy bear, as he brings me comfort and also luck. He's also good to fiddle with and squeeze. But something tells me the nurses might criticise, and I don't like being criticised about my choices that aren't hurting anyone. When my grandmother was in hospital she felt quite scared and emotional, but the nurses just told her to pull herself together, in an unfriendly tone. So I know that nurses can be callous.

I know the NHS staff are rushed off their feet but I still don't think that gives them an excuse to criticise patients for things like bringing a teddy bear, whether they're adults or not. Having an operation, even just a small one, can be daunting, and adults should be allowed to bring whatever they like into hospital with them if it helps them relax.

Will I get criticised for having a teddy bear in hospital with me?
Click to expand...
I work in a large hospital. Yes, do bring your teddy bear. :) If they know you have an ASD and have anxiety issues, this should be in the chart, so everyone on your care team knows. This is NOT a big deal for us. We deal with this all the time. Now, in some units, like an ICU, they are more concerned about infectious disease than in other units, so they may have you put your bear in a clear plastic bag. Everyone has different policies on this. When in Rome, do as the Romans. Basically, they want to be able to wipe down and clean it if they need to. Stuffed animals are typically not something you can wipe down. Same thing with live plants that friends and relatives bring in.

Having said that, most of these "ear, nose, and throat" (ENT) procedures are being performed in outpatient surgery centers now, so it may be a situation where you have your procedure and be discharged home shortly afterward. :)
 
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Misty Avich said:
...and I don't like being criticised about my choices that aren't hurting anyone.
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Yep, I get that. That's not a small thing. It's a tough one for me too.

I have found, however, such criticizing is easier for me to take if I have taken considerable thought about how to respond. For me, if questioned or criticized, I would just say that I brought the teddy bear because I wanted to. I think that should be reason enough. If they persist, I would just say that I brought the teddy bear for me, not for the nursing staff. However, I would follow that if anyone wanted, I would allow them to hold the teddy for a minute or two. Wouldn't want anyone to feel left out.

Or, just tell them to be glad that you brought your stuffed teddy bear instead of your full size 800 pound pet/companion grizzly bear. You may (or may not) decide to tell them that was actually a joke.;)
Sometimes a little humor is a good diffuser.
 
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