Children’s Minnesota Comfort Promise

Care teams use a variety of strategies including numbing cream, comfort positions and distractions to reduce the pain children feel at the doctor’s office or hospital.

What you can do to help

As parents and caregivers, there are ways that you can provide comfort before, during and after needle procedures:

Before your child’s procedure

Prepare your child about what to expect
Keep it simple yet honest, the timing will depend on your child
Talk to your provider or clinic about numbing cream

For babies under 12 months, sugar water or breastfeeding should start 2 minutes before the procedure.

During your child’s procedure:

Infants (0-12m)

Swaddling
Skin to skin contact
Pacifier
Holding your child during the procedure
Age appropriate distraction (Example: Favorite toy, singing, music or comfort object)

Toddlers (1-5)

Sitting child upright
Holding your child during the procedure
Age appropriate distraction (Example: Toys, books, bubbles, pinwheels or games)

School age (6-12)

Sitting your child upright
Holding your child or staying close by during the procedure
Some children this age like to watch what is happening
Age appropriate distraction (Example: Electronics, toys, activities that encourage deep breathing, or actively engage)