The hospital will provide meals for your child. But you must eat as well and buying meals day after day in the hospital cafeteria can get expensive.

• Check to see if the floor has a refrigerator, microwave, or kitchen for patient use. Because children often want to eat between meals, such facilities are handy to heat hot chocolate, make popcorn, or cook leftovers.

• Put your name in a prominent place on your containers.

• Ask family members and friends to bring food when they visit.

• Find out which local restaurants deliver take-out food to hospital rooms.

• Consider ordering extra items to come up on your child’s tray.