Comfort positions help children feel more in control of their medical experience, and reduce their anxiety.
Using positions of comfort also gives your child choices, creating a more positive experience, a routine for future stressful events, and ultimately a greater sense of achievement.
Comfort positioning benefits parents too, increasing bonding, confidence, and a sense of being able to help your child through the many different procedures.
Reducing Anxiety
Your child will face many events throughout diagnosis, treatment and remission that may make him feel upset, anxious or stressed. These may range from benign – a nurse checking an ID armband, to painful – having a lumbar puncture.
Repeated visits to the hospital can cause seemingly routine events to become stressful and destroy your child’s sense of control. He may become aggressive, and struggle during these events, and may need help to stay still.
When children are uncooperative, more staff are needed to complete the procedure. This can be overwhelming for an already upset child. Comfort positions decrease the need for extra people.
Some children need to see each step of the medical procedure. Others need to look away, or participate in distraction activities. Comfort positions can be used in conjunction with distraction activities where appropriate.
Below are four primary comfort positions that can be used to support children through many different procedures, and five additional positions that can be particularly helpful for the administration of eye-drops in very young children.
Four Primary Positions for Comfort
The following four comfort positions cam be helpful during a stressful event. All are intended to be between the child and parent or caregiver.
1. On The Bed
The child sits on the bed or examination table with the parent positioned behind him, providing comfort and stability.
- Allows the child to feel more in control.
- Allows the child to participate in a distraction activity
- Lets the child choose to see what is happening or look away.
- Works best for a child who needs only a little help staying still
2. Back to Chest
The child sits with his back to the parent’s chest. The parent can secure one arm with a hug, while the other arm is free. The child’s legs can also be secured by holding them at the ankles between the parent’s legs.
- Allows the child to feel more in control.
- Allows the child to participate in a distraction activity
- Lets the child choose to see what is happening or look away.
3. Chest to Chest
The child sits chest to chest with the parent, his legs off to each side. His legs can only kick from the knee down and one arm is secure. The parent can give the child a warm, nurturing hug throughout the procedure.
- Allows the child to participate in a distraction activity
- Lets the child choose to see what is happening or look away.
4. Legs to the Side
The child sits on the parent’s lap with his legs off to one side. The parent holds the child’s hand throughout the procedure. The child’s legs can be secured by shifting him to the parent’s back leg, securing both legs between the parent’s legs.
- Allows the child to feel more in control.
- Allows the child to participate in a distraction activity
- Lets the child choose to see what is happening or look away.
- Works best for a child who needs only a little help staying still
More Comfort Positions for Giving Eye Drops
Cradled – Baby
The baby is held securely in place by the parent’s comforting arm, while the free hand is used to apply the drops.
Cradled – Older Child
The child’s hands are crossed on the chest and can be restrained by the parent’s comforting arm, if needed.
Baby on Lap
Applying drops can be difficult in a young baby who is facing away from you. The baby is more secure on your lap in this position, and you can also easily do infant massage to calm your baby before applying eye drops. If you worry your baby may kick, you can place a cushion between yourself and your baby’s feet.
Stroller 1
This position is good for children who are more confident with eye drops. The child needs no restraint and is fully supported by the stroller. The parent has both hands free to apply the eye drops, if needed. Never approach a child from behind without warning or preparation to apply eye drops.
Stroller 2
This adaptation of the Stroller 1 position supports children who need a little reassurance to master their confidence with eye-drops. Both hands can be gently but firmly restrained on the child’s chest. Never approach a child from behind without warning or preparation to apply eye drops.
