Recognizing and Managing Pain in Your Hospitalized Toddler

Important information:

We believe children have a right to the best level of pain management that can be safely provided. Therefore, we take a team approach to pain management, using medicines and comfort measures.

Our goal is to have the healthcare team and families work together to recognize pain promptly and treat it successfully.

Everyone has pain at some time. Your child may have pain now or in the future because of a disease, injury, surgery, or medical procedure. Most pain can be controlled. Sometimes we cannot help a child to be totally pain-free, but we will help each child to be as comfortable as possible. When pain is under control, your child can focus their energy on getting well. Pain relief is an important part of the treatment plan. We encourage patients and families to help us to understand and manage pain. Tell us if your child is in pain. 

Recognizing pain: 

Toddlers may display different behaviors when they are in pain or uncomfortable. Your child may:

• Lose interest in play

• Eat or drink less than usual

• Have difficulty sleeping or napping 

• Cry more than usual 

• Behave like he did when he was younger, for example starting thumb sucking again

• Be irritable and restless

• Physically act out

• Use words such as “ouchie,” “boo-boo,” “it hurts”

Share the words your child uses for pain with the healthcare team.

Instructions for managing pain:

Parents have a very important role. Because you know your child best, you can work closely with the healthcare team to make decisions about managing pain.

You are the best person to help your child deal with discomfort or pain.

Create a comfortable and safe environment

• Dim the lights. Provide quiet time

• Work with your team to plan for times of undisturbed sleep

• When possible, try to stay consistent with your home schedule such as nap time

• Play soft music

• Speak softly

• Bring your child’s favorite toys, movies and objects from home

• Stay with your child when possible

• If you need to leave, tell your child 5 or 10 minutes before you leave

• Let them know what time you will be back

• If you leave, please let your nurse know. Tell your nurse what may distract or comfort your child

Use touch to provide comfort and security

• Hold and cuddle your child

• Rock your child in a rocking chair

• Massage your child’s back

• Hold your child’s hand

• Help your child get in a comfortable position

Use distraction to help your toddler focus on something other than pain. Encourage your child to:

• Tell or read stories such as pop-up or sound book

• Blow bubbles 

• Hold a blanket or stuffed animal. 

• Listen to music, sing songs

• Play with a toy, color pictures

• Read a book to your child

• Watch TV or movies

Some toddlers need to deal with pain in a more active way. If this is the case for your toddler, talk to your healthcare team and partner with them for ways for your child to cope safely.

Reviewed March 2024 by Keara Bradley, CRNP, Michele Bythrow, CRNP, Maureen Scollon-McCarthy, CRNP