Is Your Child in Pain?

How can you tell if your child is in pain? It can be difficult for parents to recognize when their child is in pain, especially when the child is unable to use words to communicate what he or she is feeling. Here are some behaviors that might indicate your child is in pain:

Decreased physical activity
Favoring a body part, like refusing to put weight on a leg or use an arm in a normal way
Eating too much or too little
Sleeping too much or too little
Avoiding other children or social activities
Irritability or crankiness
Cries, frowns or grimaces
Agitation
Dull eyes
Flushed skin
Muscle tension
Sweating
Changes in breathing
Neediness
Abnormally unruly behavior

Children sometimes do not want to talk about their pain with parents because they don't want to worry their parents or may be afraid of going to the doctor. If you believe your child is in pain, be patient and watch their activities and behaviors. Encourage them to talk about anything that's bothering them.