Helping Children Cope with Health Care Experiences

Compassionate Children’s Medical Care in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

At the Children’s Medical Center, we care about your child’s complete well-being. That’s why we created ways to help children cope with health care experiences. 

Kid’s Comfort Promise Techniques

Kid’s Comfort Promise is an approach that makes needles hurt less, whether your child is 1 or 18. This approach uses proven tools and methods to relieve pain and stress from needles.

Our child life specialists, nurses and physicians work together to comfort your child. We customize our approach depending on their age and medical needs. Our techniques include:

• Numbing cream: Our team applies a special numbing cream 30 minutes before placing an IV or performing a blood draw. The cream temporarily numbs any sensation in the spot where the needle poke will occur.
• Pain blocker devices: We place a bumpy, plastic disk or a buzzy vibrating toy near the area of the shot, which distracts the brain from the pain of a needle poke.
• Pain relief spray: Our cooling spray provides a numbing effect directly to the area of the shot or blood draw. We may use the spray alone or combine it with a pain blocker device.
• Sugar water: Studies show that feeding infants a solution of sucrose (sugar) and water during shots provides pain relief. You can also nurse your baby during the shot if you breastfeed.
• Positioning: Sitting or lying in certain positions can decrease anxiety and pain during shots and blood draws. Young babies often benefit from swaddling. We work with you and your child to determine the best position for them.
• Distraction: Books, toys, videos, games and deep breathing exercises can take your child’s mind off the needle. Listening to calming music, blowing bubbles or just talking to your child can also help. Our team uses age-appropriate distraction methods to help your child feel at ease.

Helping Children Cope With Other Health Care Experiences

Stress from needles is not the only concern your child may have. Hospital stays and procedures can be challenging also. We’re here at every step to help make things better. These experiences might be new for parents, too, so we walk you through ways you can help your child. 

Before Hospitalization or Medical Procedures

If your child has a planned procedure or hospitalization, these tactics can help it go as smoothly as possible:

• Ask questions: Talk to your child’s doctor so you understand what your child’s care will be like. When you have accurate information, you can better support your child.
• Be open: Answer your child’s questions as completely as possible in age-appropriate terms. If there are gaps in the story, your child may fill them in with scary ideas that aren’t true.
• Give advanced notice: When to tell your child about procedures depends on their age. Tell toddlers and preschoolers no more than three days in advance. Older children and teens often appreciate two to four weeks’ notice so they can gather schoolwork, tell their friends and process the events.
• Use play: Younger children may wish to act out medical care to help them understand. Demonstrate on stuffed animals or dolls. Ask your child how they feel throughout the playtime.
• Reassure: Emphasize to your child that the medical care is to help them get better and not a punishment.

During Hospital Stays

These strategies can help your child feel better throughout their hospital stay:

• Give choices: Allow your child to choose activities, movies and clothes. This gives them a sense of control.
• Spend time: Being with your child is a great source of comfort. Remember to take time for yourself to eat, sleep and relax so you can be your best.
• Tell your child when you leave: Let your child know when you are leaving the hospital and when you will return.
• Have a routine: Establish and maintain routines and limits when your child is in the hospital. This gives them a sense of security and normalcy.

Helping Siblings Cope

Siblings of a child receiving medical care may have questions and concerns. These tips can help them feel better:

• Be clear: It’s natural to want to protect your child from “scary” information. However, what they may imagine about their hospitalized sibling could be far more frightening than the reality. Be as open as possible and answer their questions so they understand the truth.
• Prepare for visits: Explain medical equipment before bringing your child to the hospital to visit their sibling. Talk to them about how doctors and nurses are helpers. Read children’s books about the hospital.
• Stay connected: Help siblings remain connected when they can’t visit. Encourage phone and video calls or have them draw a picture or write a letter.
• Maintain everyday routine: Continue participating in sports and school activities to help them feel safe and secure.
• Listen to their feelings: Children may feel guilty, jealous, scared or angry when their sibling is sick or in the hospital. Talk to them about their feelings and help them understand that you love them, this isn’t their fault, and you will get through it together.

Thank You to Our Supporters

The Kid’s Comfort Promise is possible because of the generous support of:

• Alice M. Eaton Trust
• Children’s Medical Center Patient Family Advisory Committee
• DCU For Kids
• Derby for Drew
• Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation
• Gift Book Donors
• Innovation Fund
• Vaillancourt Folk Art 

Benefits of Our Kid’s Comfort Promise and Other Coping Techniques

Compassionate Care

At the Children’s Medical Center, our entire team cares about your child’s emotional health. When you’re interacting with our nurses, physicians and other medical professionals, you’ll experience compassionate, attentive care.

Care for All Ages

Kid’s Comfort Promise is for all kids, from infants through adolescents. We use age-appropriate techniques to help your child feel seen and supported.

Family-Centered Care

Having a child with a medical condition can affect your whole family. We support you and your other children at every step, connecting you with specialists and resources to help you through any challenge. 

Contact Us

Call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763) to learn more about Kid’s Comfort Promise and our commitment to compassionate care.