Pain control for Preschoolers

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How can I tell if my child is in pain?

decrease in appetite.
not sleeping well.
whining, irritable, or inconsolable.
increased clingingness or wanting to be held.
decrease in activity level, lying quietly, curling up in bed, or not moving.
complaints of pain.

Even though your child is playing, sleeping, or watching TV, he or she may still be in pain. Children often sleep or play as a way to deal with their pain.

Children will often let parents know how they are hurting before they will let their nurse know. Perschoolers are fearful of shots for pain relief. Shots are very rarely used for pain care.

Preschoolers have trouble knowing that pain medicine will help them feel better, so we need your help to get them to take the medicine.

As parents, you should be informed about:

what will be done to treat your child's pain.
whether or not you can be with your child.
what you can do to help relieve your child's pain.

What is the best way to treat my preschooler's pain?

The staff wants to work together with you to treat your child's pain.

Feel free to help us understand your child's pain care needs.

Medicines are available to relieve your child's pain. Sometimes the doctors order the pain medicine to be given every so many hours. If you are concerned about your child's pain, don't wait until it gets severe. Let us know.

Ways that you can comfort your child:

bring security object with you to the hospital (a favorite toy, book, video, blanket, etc.)
holding and rocking your child. Your nurse will help you safely hold your child without increasing his or her discomfort.
touching, massaging, and rubbing your child's skin or holding his or her hand.

Can my preschooler become addicted to pain medication?

Medicines are available to relieve your child's pain. Each child's needs and medical condition will affect what pain medicine the physician will order.

Pain medicine is usually given in ways that don't hurt. Our patients usually swallow pain medicine or get pain medicine through their IV and not a shot. Your child will stay more comfortable if he or she is given pain medicine when the pain first begins. It's harder to ease pain once it gets worse.

Ways you can comfort your child include:

bringing your child's favorite toy or object that provides security to the hospital.
holding and cuddling your child. Your child's nurse will help you safely hold your child without increasing his or her comfort.
touching or rubbing your child's skin, or holding his or her hand.
swaddling your child snugly in a soft blanket.
giving your child a pacifier to suck on.
rocking in a rocking chair with your child.
stimulating your child's other senses by listening to music, watching TV, or blowing bubbles.
letting your child know when you're leaving, and how soon you'll be returning.
recording your voice or favorite music to play when you're not there.
approaching your child in a calm, comforting way.

These are only a few things you can do to help your child. You may find other ways that help your child be as comfortable and pain free as possible.

For those times you are not with your child, your child's nurse will keep him or her as comfortable as possible.

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