Infant Test/Procedure Preparation

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Other considerations

• Ask your health care provider to limit the number of strangers entering and leaving the room during the procedure, since this can raise anxiety.
• Ask that the care provider who has spent the most time with your child perform the procedure.
• Ask that anesthetics be used where appropriate to reduce the level of discomfort your child will feel.
• Ask that painful procedures not be performed in the hospital crib, so that the infant does not come to associate pain with the crib. Many hospitals have special treatment rooms where procedures are performed.
• Imitate the behavior you or your health care provider need the infant to do, such as opening the mouth.
• Many children's hospitals have Child Life specialists who are specially trained to educate patients and families and advocate for them during procedures. Ask if one if available.