It’s 2 a.m., and you’re awakened by your crying, fussy baby. You change their diaper and try to nurse, but the crying continues. Your baby seems to be in pain.
Pain in Babies
Babies experience pain for many reasons: gas, teething, and immunizations to name a few. It’s understandable that you want to relieve your baby’s pain ASAP! Knowing what to do and when can help to alleviate their pain and your concerns.
First, learn what pain looks like in an infant. Your baby may be unusually fussy or irritable, crying, grimacing, frowning or tensing their muscles. Sometimes these signs will be short-lived; other times they may last quite a while.
SEE ALSO: How to Deal with Your Baby Crying Non-Stop and My Baby Cries Every Night: What Is Purple Crying?
Comforting Your Baby in Pain
Start by comforting baby and trying to distract them. Hold them skin-to-skin, grab your nursing pillow and try breastfeeding, sit down and rock in a chair or sing baby’s favorite lullaby. Sometimes, all that’s needed is time for the discomfort to pass, and soothing your baby using any safe activity that works is best.
ALSO READ: What’s New with Safe Infant Sleep? plus 15 Safe Sleep Tips for Baby and ABCs of Safe Baby Sleep
Relieving Gas Pain
For gas pain, try laying baby over your knees to put gentle counterpressure on their tummy. Over-the-counter simethicone drops are also useful. This medication is often very effective in relieving pain by breaking up gas bubbles in the tummy.
To avoid gas, try feeding baby in a more upright position and burping frequently, particularly when changing from one breast to the other during nursing. If your baby drinks formula, try different bottles and nipples with different flow rates or even consider a different formula.
SEE ALSO: Recognizing When Your Baby Has Gas
Soothing Teething Pain
For teething pain, start with the easiest and fastest relief, such as refrigerated teething rings or chilled wash cloths. There are also several over-the-counter teething remedies available from homeopathic treatments to topical anesthetics, but be aware that the topical numbing medications can also numb the rest of the mouth and throat, and the effects do not typically last long.
Always check the materials used to make the teething toys and cloths. Ensure they’re clean, nontoxic, and aren’t on any recall lists.
ALSO READ: Teething Time! and Tips On Dealing With Baby’s Teething
Preventing Vaccination Pain
Ask your baby’s pediatric care provider if it’s okay to give them acetaminophen before they receive shots. Some providers think the medication suppresses the baby’s immune response to the vaccines; others say it’s okay. You can also ask about giving pain medication after baby has had a shot. Breastfeeding immediately after a vaccination and using counter-pressure and ice at the injection site as well as gentle massage may also provide relief.
Report Pain and Symptoms to Your Pediatrician
If your baby is inconsolable when trying these different strategies, contact their pediatric care provider. In fact, anytime you feel that something is just not right is a good time to get in touch for further advice and action.
Be sure to contact your baby’s pediatrician immediately if your baby demonstrates any of the following warning signs:
- High fever (greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for infants ages 12 months and under)
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Refusal to eat
- Lethargy (extreme sleepiness or having little energy)
- Bulging of the fontanelle (the soft spot on top of the head)
Related articles: Baby Pain Medication Change & Pain Reliever Deadly To Children
Also visit Newborn Care and Health Complications for more useful articles.
