We believe kids deserve the best, so we try to meet the unique needs of your child and your family. We offer information and services to help with your child's stay at our Milwaukee Campus.
During and After Your Visit to Milwaukee
During Your Visit
For your child
Children's Wisconsin offers free room service for all patients. There is no cost for patient meals. Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Meals are delivered within 45 minutes.
How to Order
- Call (414) 266-6336 after looking at the room service menus.
- Use the iPad at your child’s bedside. Open the At Your Request app. (Ask staff if you need help.)
- After Hours: Parents can leave a message between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to order meals for the next day.
Some food items may not be allowed if your child is on a special diet.
Always check with your child’s nurse before giving them any food or drink. If you have questions about your child’s meals, ask to speak with a dietitian.
Food trays are only sent to rooms with a doctor’s order.
For Parents
Children’s Wisconsin offers a meal program for parents or caregivers who can’t leave their child’s room.
You can buy room service meal tickets at the hospital’s food locations or Gift Shop. These tickets can be used to order snacks or meals from room service.
Note: Tickets are non-refundable.
Restaurants
Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee has several places to eat on campus.
Note: Menus may change each week.
Cafeteria
The cafeteria is on the lower level of the hospital and is open 24/7.
Hours: 24/7 — Weekly menu >>
It has many food choices, including made-to-order meals, sandwiches, salads and grab-and-go snacks.
Note: Made-to-order food is not available during these times:
- 4-6 a.m.
- 10-11 a.m.
- 3-4 p.m.
Grab-and-go items are still available during those times.
Apple a Day Café
Located on the first floor of the Craig Yabuki Tower lobby
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. — Apple a Day menu >>
Café West
Located on the first floor of the West Tower lobby
Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. — Café West menu >>
Vending machines
Vending machines can be found throughout the hospital.
Alarms
Medical equipment has alarms to help keep your child safe. Only hospital staff should turn off alarms or disconnect equipment. If you have questions, ask your child’s care team.
Bathroom
You can use the bathroom in your child’s room.
DVD Player
Each patient room has a DVD player, and most rooms have a PlayStation game system.
You can borrow DVDs and video games from the Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center near the hospital lobby. Game controllers are available to borrow at the Welcome Center in the hospital lobby.
Electrical Items
Heated items like curling irons and hair dryers are not allowed. All outlets in patient areas are child-safe and do not need covers.
In-Room Safe
To lock the safe:
- The safe door will be open.
- Close the door.
- Enter any four numbers (xxxx).
- Press the “LOCK” (#) key.
- The word Closed will appear.
To open the safe:
- Enter your four numbers (xxxx).
- The safe will open.
Isolation
Isolation rules help stop germs from spreading. If your child is in isolation, a sign will be posted. Ask for an info sheet if needed. You may need to wear a gown or gloves. Take them off and wash your hands before leaving the room.
Call Buttons and Emergency Cords
Your child’s room and bathroom have cords to call the nurse. Pull the cord if help is needed.
Kitchen
Each patient unit has a kitchen with a microwave, sink and refrigerator.
If you bring food for your family, please label it with your child’s name and the date. Ask your child’s nurse if you need labels.
Laundry
Each patient unit has a washer and dryer for families to use. Ask your child’s nurse for help.
Phone Calls
You can find a list of important phone numbers at Children's Wisconsin. Use patient or in-house phones to call. Dial 9 before the number. For long-distance calls, use a calling card. If your call is blocked, dial 0 and ask the hospital operator for help.
Room Assignments and Moves
Rooms are chosen based on your child’s medical needs.
Sometimes your child may need to be moved to a different room. We will try to let you know before this happens.
Please understand that the move is to give your child the best care. Your child’s care provider will explain why the move is needed.
Patient Room Phones
All patient rooms have a direct phone line. Local calls are free.
The phone won’t ring from 9 p.m.-7 a.m., but you can still make calls anytime.
To call your child’s room after hours, dial (414) 266-2002 and ask for their room.
Television
Each patient room has a TV. You can find a list of TV channels on channel 54.
Visual Monitoring
Some rooms have cameras so staff can watch patients. If you have questions, please ask your child’s care provider.
Teen programs
Special programs help teens meet and connect with others. Some activities take place in the Teen Lounge. Ask your child’s nurse to talk with a Child Life Specialist for more info.
Bereavement Program
The Bereavement Program helps families deal with grief and loss. Free services are available to families. For more information about the program, call (414) 266-2995
Breastfeeding/Lactation Support
Need help with breastfeeding while your child is in the hospital? Services are available Monday through Friday. The hospital has pumping rooms and breast pumps. For more information, call (414) 266-1757 or ask your child’s nurse.
CaringBridge
CaringBridge offers a free and private way to keep family and friends updated while your child is in the hospital. Families can create a personalized website to share updates, post photos and receive encouraging messages in the online guest book. You can also set a password to keep your page confidential. Creating a site is easy and can be done from any computer with internet access.
Visit the CaringBridge website to get started.
Child Life and Creative Arts Therapies
Being in the hospital can feel new and scary for kids. Child life specialists use play, preparation, and distraction to help children and teens understand and feel better during their stay. They use things like art, bubbles, iPads and music to help kids relax and forget their pain or worries.
Music and art therapy are part of the Creative Arts Therapies Program. These therapies help kids express their feelings, reduce pain and lower anxiety.
- Child life program
- Creative arts therapies program
Financial Counseling
If you have concerns about paying your medical bill, financial counselors are available to help. They can assist with questions about Medicaid, insurance coverage and options under the Affordable Care Act.
For assistance, call (414) 266-5700
Language Services
Children’s Wisconsin offers free interpreter services to support families who do not speak English or who have limited speech or hearing. Qualified medical interpreters are available in person, by phone or by video — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These interpreters are specially trained to assist with medical conversations and sensitive situations. Please ask your care team if you need an interpreter to help you understand your child’s care.
To send mail to a patient:
Child’s name and room number
Children’s Wisconsin
PO Box 1997
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1997
Mail received after discharge will be returned to the sender. It cannot be forwarded or held.
Newspapers
You can get a weekday copy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at the Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA Today are also available in the newspaper box in the skywalk between the hospital and clinics building.
Spiritual Care
Chaplains are available 24/7, every day of the week. To ask for a chaplain, tell a nurse or staff member to page one. The chapel is on the first floor for prayer, meditation or quiet time.
Parent to Parent of Wisconsin
Parent to Parent of Wisconsin helps parents who are:
- New to having a child with special needs
- Going through a stressful time
- Looking for support
- Searching for resources
For more information, visit the Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center
School Support
We work with the Wauwatosa School District to offer school lessons for our patients. Teachers can give lessons at the bedside for students in grades K4 through 12. Ask your nurse if you want to learn more.
Social Work Services
Social workers offer:
- Emotional support for illness or new diagnoses
- Help with insurance, financial or community resources
- Assistance with transition to adult care
- Support with guardianship questions
- School-health care coordination
Services are free for all patients and families.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs visit to help patients relax and feel less stressed. If you want a therapy dog visit for your child, talk to your child’s doctor. The doctor can request it.
Parents or guardians must give permission before the visit happens.
Other therapy dog handlers are trained volunteers who try to visit as many kids as they can.
Things To Do
- Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) — 8 miles
- Marcus Center for the Performing Arts — 8 miles
- Wisconsin Center — 7 miles
- Milwaukee County Zoo — 1 mile
- Mitchell Park Domes — 6 miles
- Pabst/Riverside Theater — 7 miles
- Wisconsin State Fair Park — 2 miles
- Bayshore Town Center — 13 miles
- Brookfield Square Mall — 5 miles
- Mayfair Mall — 2 miles
- Southridge Mall — 8 miles
- Fiserv Forum — 7 miles (Home of Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University Golden Eagles)
- American Family Field (Home of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team) — 4 miles
- Petit National Ice Center — 2 miles
- UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena — 9 miles (Home of the Milwaukee Admirals and Milwaukee Wave)
- Betty Brinn Children's Museum — 8 miles
- Discovery World Museum — 8 miles
- Harley Davidson Museum — 8 miles
- Milwaukee Art Museum –— 8 miles
- Milwaukee Public Museum (Home of the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater) — 7 miles
- Key Milwaukee
- Visit Milwaukee
After Your Visit
Bill Pay and Financial Assistance
Continuing or Community-Based Care
Some children need medical care even after leaving the hospital.
Several organizations provide skilled nursing care in the community for our patients, including: