Medical procedures, whether invasive or not, can be stressful for any child. As a parent, you can help your child develop positive coping strategies that can be used for any medical encounter she may face.

When a child has positive coping strategies, it can help the child:

  • feel more in control of the situation
  • feel more confident and build self-esteem
  • have a positive medical experience
  • overcome future medical procedures

Distraction

Distraction is simply helping your child focus on something else other than the procedure. This method works well with all ages from infants to teens. With any type of distraction, you want to make sure it will not get in the way of the procedure. Here are some ideas to help distract your child during a procedure.

  • Playing a game on a tablet or smart phone (it’s helpful to keep in mind that you don’t want a game that is too challenging or too easy. You want to find something that will engage your child and not frustrate her).
  • Watch a movie/TV show on your tablet or phone (helpful for long procedures)
  • Look through an I-Spy or “Look and Find” book together
  • Count
  • Sing to your child or sing a song together
  • Tell a story
  • Engage your child with a musical toy or a cause and effect type toy.

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Imagery

You can help your child think of something else that is more pleasant.  You can talk about a favorite memory, a favorite place to go together, a favorite vacation, or something your child is looking forward to.

Breathing

Taking slow, controlled breaths can help relax and lessen your child’s anxiety. Sometimes, when a child is going through a procedure, she will want to hold her breath or take very short breaths. Some coaching and practicing beforehand can help. Here are some ideas to work on taking those slow, deep breaths.

  • Tell your child to “smell the flowers” and then “blow out the candles”
  • Tell your child to pretend to blow out bubbles (or practice by using real bubbles!)
  • Coach your child through by telling her when to breathe in through her nose and out with her mouth and have her watch and copy you

Physical Touch

As a caregiver, you can provide comfort and security through your presence and touch.

  • You can use a comfort hold or simply be present and near your child during a procedure
  • Stroke her hair
  • Hold her hand or let her squeeze your hand
  • Bring some comforting items such as a blanket, a pacifier, or a stuffed animal

Here are some tips to consider when facing a medical procedure with your child.

  • Educate yourself on the procedure so that you feel better prepared going into the procedure. It will also help you to explain the procedure to your child.
  • Explain the procedure to your child as you think about your five senses. What will it feel like? What does it sound like?
  • Explain in terms of what your child will understand at her developmental level. You can say things like “stay still like a statue.”
  • Children will be concerned if something will hurt. Don’t lie, instead you can tell them it will be uncomfortable but for a very short time. Try to focus on why it is important to get the procedure.
  • Stay positive and encouraging.
  • Praise your child during and after the procedure for all the things she was able to do, like staying very still.
  • Tell medical staff anything they should be aware of for your child. (i.e. a traumatizing medical encounter in the past)
  • Different coping strategies will work better for certain medical procedures. This is also the case for your child. Think of what will best help your child.
  • Offer choices where there are choices. Limit to 2-3 choices.
  • Talk to your child prior to the procedure and think of a plan of what kind of coping strategies she may want to try. Some of these coping strategies could be practiced ahead of time.
  • And of course, I have to show my love to the child life specialists out there! If available, seek support from a child life specialist (mostly available for hospital stays, surgeries, Emergency Department, certain clinics and radiology tests). This way, the child life specialist can help your child cope through the procedure and you can focus on providing comfort to your child.

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If your child has faced a medical procedure, what are some coping strategies that have been effective to use?