Pain/Discomfort
What is Pain?
Pain is a complicated topic in all ages, but even more so in children. Part of the complexity comes from the numerous sources that can cause pain, including injuries, infections, illnesses, medical procedures and many others. Pain is especially tricky in younger children that can’t communicate and tell you what hurts and how badly it hurts. Children must be assessed very carefully if they look to have pain or discomfort.
Common Causes of Pain in Children
Injuries
Falls, bumps, bruises, or cuts.
Illnesses
Sore throats, earaches, stomachaches, or headaches.
Medical procedures
Vaccinations or other medical interventions.
Managing Pain (Without Medications)
Heat and Cold Applications
A warm compress can help muscle aches or cramps, while a cold pack can reduce pain and swelling from an injury.
Always use a barrier (like a towel) between the heat or cold pack and skin to help protect the skin.
Managing Fever (With Over the Counter Medications)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
How it works: unfortunately, it's not fully understood how acetaminophen works, but it is thought to help inhibit pain signals from the brain.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
How it works: ibuprofen inhibits certain enzymes (COX-1 & COX-2) that form substances which can cause pain and inflammation.
Ibuprofen should not be administered to infants less than 3 months of age.
If using both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, try alternating between each every 3 hours.
Example schedule:
6:00 AM: Acetaminophen
9:00 AM: Ibuprofen
12:00 PM: Acetaminophen
3:00 PM: Ibuprofen
6:00 PM: Acetaminophen
9:00 PM: Ibuprofen
12:00 AM: Acetaminophen
3:00 AM: Ibuprofen
This schedule allows your child to receive medication every 3 hours so they are comfortable, but it does not exceed maximum dosing for acetaminophen or ibuprofen (medication must be dosed and measured appropriately).