Aches & Pains in Children 6-11 Years

Getting hurt in front of their friends calls for extra relief because your child’s ego was hurt as well. Here’s how to give your child both physical and emotional relief:

• Ask them to share information about their pain and let them know that their pain will go away
• Ensure your child understands that their pain is not their fault and that pain can happen to anyone
• If your child is in pain due to some sort of injury, use the RICE method:

1. Have your child rest the area
2. Wrap ice in a towel before placing it on their skin in order to prevent frostbite to the area. Apply it to the sore area for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a day for 48 hours
3. Compress the area by wrapping the area loosely with a sports bandage
4. Keep the injury elevated

• If your child is experiencing muscle pain, treat the muscle with heat or a gentle massage — your child should feel better in about 48 hours
• Practicing deep breathing or relaxation exercises together can help provide pain relief for your child and gives them a feeling of control over their body
• Soothe your child by using a gentle voice, touch and cuddling — no matter how old they are
• Distract your child by playing a game, playing music or reading a story
• Use your parenting magic by “kissing it better” (if they let you) and/or putting a bandage on a minor bump or scrape (even if it isn’t necessary) for a boost of emotional relief
• Make sure your child is well rested — your child may be more sensitive to pain when they’re not
• Set a good example because how your child handles and reacts to pain depends on what they pick up from their parents
• Use an over-the-counter (OTC) pain relieving medication that’s specially formulated for children – to relieve your child’s aches and pains, like Children’s TYLENOL® Liquid or Junior Strength TYLENOL^® MELTAWAYS™
• Do not give your child acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) — ASA may cause a dangerous medical condition called Reye’s Syndrome.

Call your child’s doctor if:

• You can’t provide pain relief for your child on your own
• Your child’s injury is causing excessive bleeding, swelling or pain
• Your child’s pain is accompanied by other symptoms like a fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea or a stiff neck
• You suspect your child’s pain is the result of an illness
• Your child is recovering from a sports injury and you want to ensure they’re well enough to rejoin the action
• Your child’s pain lasts longer than 5 days
• At any time you feel unsure about any of your child’s symptoms.