Pain management for procedures (Comfort Care)

A Comfort Care plan reduces pain and anxiety you may have with painful procedures. Below are some CHEO-recommended resources for options you can use in your Comfort Care plan.

Pain and anxiety are managed best when we use as many options as we can.

Comforting words also matter!

• Keep it simple.
• Be positive and honest.
• Celebrate a job well done! 

Breastfeeding and/or sucrose for babies

Breastfeeding, Be sweet to babies – CHEO Breastfeeding and Non-Nutritive Sucking Toolkit – Children’s Healthcare Canada Sucrose, Be Sweet to Babies – CHEO

Numbing cream or spray

Improving your child’s vaccination experience - CHEO Topical cream lessens pain in infants receiving vaccinations, study shows – SickKids

Positions for comfort

Comfort positions for vaccination (PDF) – CHEO My coping plan - CHEO Needle pokes: Reducing pain with comfort positions and distraction – About Kids Health Kangaroo care for the preterm infant and family – Canadian Paediatric Society Swaddling: Is it Safe? – healthychildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) Importance of skin-to-skin contact – Health Link BC

Distraction (books, games, electronic devices, etc.)

Distraction during procedures – CHEO CARD Game for kids – Immunize Canada

Additional information

Child Life Services – CHEO Vaccination – CHEO  Managing pain and distress in children undergoing brief diagnostic and therapeutic procedures – Canadian Paediatric Society

Disclaimer

These resources are for educational purposes only. If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider.