Making the Trauma Bay Less Scary: Child Life Tips for Non-Pediatric Centers (Live)-When Child Life Specialist is Not Here

When Child Life Specialist is Not Here

Pdf Summary

This quick guide offers strategies to help infants, children, and teens cope with medical procedures when Child Life support is unavailable.

- <strong>Infants:</strong> Help parents stay calm, since babies can sense anxiety. Swaddling, a pacifier with sweet-tasting solution during painful procedures, and soothing sounds or motions—such as shushing, lullabies, and gentle patting—can provide comfort.
- <strong>Children and teens:</strong> Make a plan, be honest, and explain the steps before the procedure. Offer appropriate choices, such as which side to use, what color bandage to choose, or whether to watch. Use numbing when appropriate, acknowledge their feelings, and encourage deep breathing.
- <strong>Across ages:</strong> Offer comfortable positions when suitable and use age-appropriate distraction. Options include an iPad, books, music, phone activities, conversation, or “would you rather” questions.

Keywords

medical procedures

child life support

infants

children and teens

pain management

parental calming

distraction techniques

numbing

deep breathing

age-appropriate comfort