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Pain management in babies

9-minute read

See a doctor immediately if your baby seems to be in severe pain.

If you have given your child too much ibuprofen or paracetamol, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately or take them to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Key facts

  • Your baby can't tell you when they are in pain, so it's a good idea be aware of the signs.
  • Routine procedures such as vaccination and blood tests can cause minor pain, but they are important for your baby's health.
  • You can help reduce your baby's pain by talking or singing to your baby, breastfeeding, swaddling or giving them a dummy.
  • Medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used for temporary relief of pain and discomfort.
  • Any baby or young child who is unwell or in moderate to severe pain should see a doctor.

What is pain management in babies?

Pain management in babies means understanding when your baby is in pain and then helping them to feel better with medicines or other pain reducing techniques. If your baby seems very unwell or the pain doesn't go away, contact a doctor.

How do I know if my baby is in pain?

It can be hard to know if a baby is in pain, because they can't tell you how they feel. There are signs that can help you recognise when your baby is in pain. For example, they may:

What causes pain in babies?

If your baby is unwell, injured or has had surgery, they may be in pain.

Teething can also be painful, even though it is a normal part of your baby's development.

Pain during medical procedures

In the first year of life, most babies will have several medical procedures. These may cause minor pain and distress but are important for their health.

In the first 3 days of your newborn's life, a small amount of blood will be taken from their heel for the newborn screening test (or 'heel prick test') to check for rare but serious conditions. You will also be offered a number of vaccinations to help prevent serious contagious diseases.

If your baby is born prematurely or with a medical problem, they may need additional procedures such as:

While these procedures may cause your child some pain in the short-term, the aim is to ensure their long-term health and wellbeing.

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When should my baby see a doctor?

You should go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately if you have a baby under 3 months old with a fever above 38°C.

See a doctor immediately if your baby appears to be in severe pain.

As a parent, you know your child best. If your baby sounds, looks or behaves in an unusual way and you are worried that they may be in pain, seek medical advice.

It's important to see a doctor if your baby:

A doctor can examine your baby to find out what is causing their pain and for signs such as an unusual heart rate or blood pressure.

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How can I help manage my baby's pain?

There are several ways you can help soothe your baby when they're in pain.

Self-care at home

You are one of the greatest sources of comfort to your baby. Just being close to them may have a calming effect.

Some other pain reducing techniques include:

If your newborn undergoes a painful procedure, their doctor or nurse may suggest you:

These techniques are proven to have a calming and pain-relieving effect on newborns.

Video provided by Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI)

Medicines for pain relief

If you have given your child too much ibuprofen or paracetamol, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately or take them to your nearest hospital emergency department.

You can give your baby medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen for short-term relief of symptoms such as pain or fever. While they won't treat the cause of the pain, they can make your baby feel and sleep better.

Read the dosing instructions on the pack carefully. It's important to make sure that you give your child the correct dose of pain medicines. The amounts your baby needs depends on their weight and the strength of the product you buy. The strength (concentration) of the medicine can vary from product to product.

Giving your child too much medicine or giving it too frequently could be harmful. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure of the correct dose of medicine for your baby.

See a doctor if your baby or child needs paracetamol or ibuprofen for more than 48 hours.

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