Ouch, That Hurts

Sympathy pain. You know, the hurt you feel when your child is in pain. It’s real—your kid’s pain and yours.
So don’t ignore it. Consult our handy guide and ease the pain for everyone. Developed by our friends at Canadian Family (and hot off the press in their soon-to-be released Winter issue), it’s based on recommendations from some of Canada’s leading pediatric health professionals*.

The Pain: Teething
The Culprit: Teeth pushing through the nerve-packed gum area hurt babies and toddlers alike.
The Fix: Massage her gums with your finger or give her a cold washcloth or teething ring (check that it has no leaks). Acetaminophen drops can also dull the pain.

The Pain: Sore Throat
The Culprit: Throat soreness typically signals a common cold, but inflamed tonsils, difficulty swallowing and fever could also be symptoms of strep throat.
The Fix: Give plenty of cool liquids but no lozenges for younger children. Suspect strep? Go to the doctor for a diagnostic swab and antibiotics if needed.

The Pain: Stomach Ache
The Culprit: Abdominal pain can signal anything from overeating at dinner to appendicitis to a urinary tract infection.
The Fix: Have your child lie down with his knees tucked up to his chest. If pain is severe and accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or any other symptoms, see a doctor.

The Pain: Needle Pain
The Culprit: Puncturing a vein hurts, and bruising muscle tissue smarts even more—ouch!
The Fix: Apply a topical anesthetic such as Ametop or an EMOA patch in advance. Otherwise, distract them during the process—bubble blowing, anyone?

The Pain: Leg Pain
The Culprit: Muscle fatigue or twinges can be brought on by growing bones
The Fix: Try a leg rub, a hot bath or water bottle, a cuddle or a chat in bed. (No need for drugs as the pains usually go away on their own in 20 minutes or so.)

For more aches and pains solutions, click here. (Of course, if your child has a pain that doesn’t go away over time or is particularly intense, consult a doctor as soon as possible.)

And don’t forget the curative powers of the Dora BAND-AID, the magical cure for the injustice and indignity of many a childhood fall, whether or not blood is involved.

P.S. Don’t forget that SavvyMoms can subscribe to the all-new Canadian Family magazine for just a dollar an issue. Click HERE for your special offer of $8.00 (+ GST) for 8 issues. (Or buy it as a gift for a friend.)

* Jennifer Stinson, a clinical nurse specialist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto; Carl von Baeyer, a psychologist at the University of Saskatchewan; and Caring for Kids (Key Porter), a reference guide developed by Drs. Norman Saunders and Jeremy Friedman of Sick Kids.