Pain Free Newborn Care is a program designed to minimize the pain and discomfort associated with a pediatric patient’s hospital visit.
For newborns undergoing a circumcision, the following analgesics are recommended:
- ELAMAX (lidocaine cream) applied to the penis about 30 minutes before the procedure.
- Acetaminophen given orally before the procedure.
- Buffered lidocaine (with bicarbonate added) administered for penile block.
- Sucrose 12% oral solution given by syringe two to three minutes before the procedure.
- Pacifier offered during the procedure (but thrown away before baby returns to parents).
- Ideally, baby should go back to parents and be held and breastfed after procedure.
For newborns undergoing a blood draw or an IV insertion:
- Babies are given sucrose 12% oral solution by syringe two to three minutes before the procedure.
- During the procedure, a gloved finger is offered for the baby to suck.
- The medical staff attempts to get the baby back to the family or mother as soon as possible after a painful procedure so she can hold or breastfeed her baby.
For newborns undergoing the heel stick associated with the newborn metabolic screen, it is recommended that the physician:
- Performing the test while the baby is held skin to skin.
- Perform the test while the baby is breastfeeding.*
*Gray L, Miller LW, Philipp BL, Blass EM. Breastfeeding is analgesic in healthy newborns. Pediatrics 2002; 109(4): 590-593.