Positions of Comfort & Coping Activities

Comfort holds are used by parents and caregivers during treatments to reduce stress and anxiety in the child and help immobilize an arm or leg for procedures.

Back-to-chest

Suggested for:

  • IV
  • Hand/foot/leg cut
  • Drawing blood
  • Injections (arm/leg)
  • Nasal tube
  • Immunizations
  • Exam (ear/nose/throat)

Chest-to-chest

Suggested for:

  • IV
  • Drawing blood
  • Hand or arm cut
  • Injections (arm/leg)
  • Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
  • Immunizations

Froggy

Suggested for:

  • Catheterization
  • Pelvic exam

 

Activities to help your child cope

Infant

  • Hold your child.
  • Distract with rattles or toys.
  • Speak in a soft voice.
  • Sing or play soft music.
  • Comfort with pacifier or teething ring.

Toddler

  • Hold your child.
  • Read or look at books.
  • Sing or play soft music.
  • Distract with bubbles.
  • Comfort with a favorite blanket or soft toy.

Preschool

  • Let your child blow bubbles.
  • Read or look at books.
  • Sing or play soft music.
  • Play counting games.
  • Distract with a favorite toy or activity.
  • Comfort with a favorite blanket or soft toy.

School age/Adolescent

  • Talk about a favorite place or TV show.
  • Let your child listen to favorite music.
  • Focus on an object.
  • Encourage slow, deep breaths to relax.
  • Distract with hand-held games or a favorite activity.
  • Let your child squeeze a ball, your hand or a stuffed animal.