What is Pain?
Crying is normal for babies. Crying is the only way babies can tell us they
are hungry, tired, wet or want to be held. Sometimes crying can be also
be a sign of pain. Pain can be caused by soreness from tubes, blood
draws, infections, or after surgery while your baby is in the hospital.
Our Goals:
• Give the best pain relief for your baby throughout his or her entire hospital stay.
• Make sure that the treatment measures are working to treat your child’s pain.
• Those caring for your baby will communicate with you and each other about treating your baby’s pain.
Your baby’s nurse monitors for clues that your baby is having pain
every 2-4 hours, 24 hours a day, and before and after every
procedure.
Treating your baby’s pain
What your baby’s nurse will do the following to treat your baby’s pain.
Comfort Measures
- Swaddle baby
- Change Diaper
- Offer pacifier for sucking
- Provide a quiet environment with low lighting
- Change position of baby (holding, infant swing/ vibrating chair)
- Allow rest times by clustering cares
- Suctioning
- Bath
Medications
- Oral Sucrose
- Acetaminophen
- Opioids (for moderate to severe pain)
- Fentanyl or Morphine
- Sedatives – (for severe agitation)
- Ativan or Versed
What can parents do?
Parents are VERY important in the care of babies with pain as they know their baby best.
- Be with your baby and hold skin to skin as much as possible
- Gently pat and rock your baby
- Talk or sing to your baby
- Talk to your baby’s nurse and doctor about your concerns
How to tell if your baby has pain
Facial Movements
- Facial grimacing
- Furrowing of the brow
- Eyes squeezed
- Quivering of the lips and chin
Body Movements
- Pulling arms and legs in and out
- Guarding
- Thrashing
- Rigidity
- Fist clenching
Crying
- Changes in pitch, duration and intensity
Changes in sleep-wake cycle, activity level
- High heart rate
- Fast Breathing
- Vomiting
- Sweating
