If My Child Is in Pain

Pain can vary throughout the day, and it is common for pain to be more intense during movement and mobilization. Pain can also be present even when the child is sleeping, resting, or playing.

It is also important that you carefully follow the recommendations for pain management you have received. Often, a combination of medications that work in different ways is used to achieve the best possible results with pain treatment. To maintain a steady concentration of medications in the body, achieve the best effect, and avoid "pain spikes," it is important to follow the prescription for both the type of medication, dose, and timing when the medications should be given. This also applies even if the child does not seem to be in pain at the moment.

It is also very important that you follow any instructions to wake your child to give medications at night, even if it may seem better not to disturb their sleep. Children and young people usually fall back asleep quickly, and regular medication is significant in preventing difficult pain outbreaks the following day. Regular pain relief also means that smaller amounts of medication need to be given and that the risk of side effects decreases.

Distraction is a natural way to handle a pain situation and can also be used as part of your child's pain management. By getting children to think about something fun or something they enjoy doing, you can help keep their brains busy. Encourage them to play games, chat on the internet, or watch movies on YouTube; everything is good for helping to reduce pain. You can also help your child lessen the pain by changing positions in bed or by placing a pillow under an arm, a leg, or behind their back. After surgeries in the throat, pain often decreases if the child is allowed to drink or eat something cold or suck on an ice cube.

Physical activity and movement are important for both your child's physical and mental well-being, as well as for the body's own production of pain-relieving substances. That's why it is important for your child to get moving as soon as possible after an injury or surgery. Of course, it is essential to follow the recommendations regarding limitations on physical activities, but in most cases, there is some activity that the child can be allowed to do. Ask the staff what applies specifically to your child. You, as a close relative, have a very important role in stimulating and encouraging the child to move as much as they can and are allowed to. All children and young people benefit from fresh air, physical activity, and movement as their bodies and minds recover.