pay attention to pain

Only your child knows how much pain they are in, so it’s important to ask about it often. You may want to explain that doctors use pain as a clue to help figure out what’s wrong. It also helps them find ways to make your child feel better.

• Where does it hurt?
• When does it hurt?
• Is the pain in one place or lots of places?
• Does anything make the pain feel better or worse?
  

Sometimes your child may have trouble telling you about pain. Pay attention to how your child acts. The following signs may help you figure out how much pain your child has:

• not eating
• trouble sleeping or staying asleep
  
• doesn’t want to play
  
• whining or crying more than usual
  
• holding a sore part of their body
  

If you notice these symptoms, your child may be in pain. Talk to their doctors and nurses about pain levels throughout your child’s stay.

Ask About Pain Medicine

Is your child getting uncomfortable? Do you think the pain medicine isn’t working? Speak up. Your child may need to get more of the current pain medicine or switch to a different kind to get relief. Managing your child’s pain will help with the healing process. Keep asking your child about pain, then talk to the doctor or nurse.