Pain in Babies & Children
As your little one is growing up, there are many things which can cause them pain or discomfort. This can range from teething pain, to minor injuries from bumps or knocks.
Below we have information on some broad causes of pain in babies and children. In our pain hub, you will also find dedicated information pages on:
Injuries in Children
Dawn Kelly, a health visitor, lecturer, and mother-of-three, says: “The odd bump and bruise is all part of growing up, particularly as your little one begins to play and explore the world around them. As they begin to crawl, sit, stand and put things in their mouth, the new found sense of freedom can often lead to accidents no matter how well supervised they are.
If your little one has a graze and there is no bleeding, carefully washing the area with warm water will help keep it clean and prevent any unnecessary infection. If there is some bleeding, apply a little pressure until the bleeding stops and then cover the graze with a plaster or dressing as required.
Most bumps and knocks will benefit from an ice pack wrapped in a towel being applied to the sore area. A packet of frozen peas wrapped in a towel can also be effective as it can be pressed around the injury area.”
This content was written by healthcare professional Dawn Kelly in 2015. She was paid for her time but does not endorse CALPOL® Products.
Broken Bones
If your little one has had an accident and they have pain and swelling, and their limb seems to be at a strange or unusual angle, they may have broken one of their bones. If it is difficult to move your child without causing them any further pain, call an ambulance. If you are able to move them, putting one of your hands above where the injury is and another underneath it to steady and support it should help make the move less painful. Even if you are going to hospital, giving your little one some appropriate painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help provide some temporary relief.
If you think your child has seriously injured their neck or spine, it is very important not to move them as this can be dangerous. Call an ambulance immediately and follow the instructions given by the call handler.
Swallowing or Choking
Many child related injuries happen as a result of swallowing or choking on something that has been left around the house. It is best to keep small items such as coins, buttons, small batteries, and parts of toys, out of reach from babies. It is good practice to check all toys regularly for loose buttons or threads that might pose a risk to your little one.
All medicines and household cleaning agents should be safely out of reach of younger children. Keeping both in a locked cupboard will prevent your little one from accidentally swallowing substances that could be very harmful to them.
Health Visitor
Dawn Kelly
Dawn is a qualified paediatric nurse, health visitor and lecturer with over 25 years’ experience. She’s written widely about child health and development and has a wealth of knowledge about childhood illnesses and advising parents on issues such as weaning and sleep. Her three daughters also put her knowledge to the test! This HCP does not endorse Calpol.
Doctor
Dr Ellie Cannon
Dr Ellie Cannon is a practicing NHS GP, and works on public health campaigns including childhood health programmes. She is a mum of two, and has written a popular book on parenting 'Keep Calm, The New Mum's manual', which considers the physical and mental health of parents alongside baby care. This HCP does not endorse Calpol.