A big part of helping your child cope with hospitalization and procedures is coping with pain. As a parent it can be very frustrating not knowing if your child is experiencing pain, how you can help them, and the length of time you will be coping with this issue.
Pain can be frightening to the child and it is up to the parents and staff to encourage expression of feelings, fears, and needs. Reassuring and comforting your child gives them permission to be themselves and be expressive without the need to protect or hide information.
The following is a list of ways to support pain control at different developmental levels:
Infants
Symptoms: Eating and sleeping problems, change in normal behavior, crying more, pulling back in pain, increase in diapers, hiccups, vomiting or breath holding
Solutions: Patting, rubbing, rocking, warm bath, gentle message, allowing rest periods, swaddling, dim lights, reducing noise, playing soothing music, and medication.
Toddlers
Symptoms: Not playing, not sleeping, crying, not eating or drinking, lying still or not moving, and being irritable and restless.
Solutions: Bring favorite objects, holding and cuddling, touching, rubbing, holding hands, swaddle or give comfort items (pacifier or bottle), stimulate other senses (music, TV, or bubbles), record your voice when you are gone, and approach in a calm and comforting way.
Preschoolers
Symptoms: Decrease in appetite, not sleeping, whining, irritable or inconsolable, increased clinging or wanting to be held, decrease in activity level, and complaints of pain.
Solutions: Bring favorite objects, holding and rocking, touching, rubbing, holding hands, stay with your child or have someone else stay, stimulate other senses (music, TV or bubbles), record your voice when you are gone, be honest about what is happening to your child, and approach in a calm and comforting way.
School-Age Children
Symptoms: Decrease in appetite, not sleeping, crying, moaning, being irritable or withdrawing, decrease in activity level, restless or not wanting to move, guarding the area, and complaints of pain.
Solutions: Bring favorite objects, holding and rocking, messaging, touching, rubbing, holding hands, decrease lights and noise, apply cold / warm pack, stay ahead of the pain, distract your child (music, TV, reading, coloring, crafts, or bubbles), record your voice when you are gone, be honest about what is happening to your child, and approach in a calm and comforting way.
Many times children play or sleep to avoid feeling uncomfortable. This is a way to cope with pain and should not be mistaken for feeling good. This behavior is not done for attention seeking.
Teens / Adolescents
Symptoms: Becomes quiet, trouble sleeping, loses of appetite, withdraws from family and friends, becomes irritable and angry, and complains about the pain.
Solutions: Messaging, touching, rubbing, holding hands, rest periods, decrease lights and noise, apply cold / warm pack, damp cloth to forehead, hypnosis or relaxation exercises, stay ahead of the pain, distract your child (music, TV, reading, coloring, crafts, or squeeze balls) , be honest about what is happening to your child, and approach in a calm and comforting way.
