Comfort Hold Techniques

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Comfort holds are ways you can hold your child to keep them still, safe, and calm during a medical exam, test, or procedure. Distracting your child can also help.

When using a comfort hold, do not let go of your child until the procedure is over. Some comfort holds work better than others depending on your child and what is being done.

Types of Comfort Holds

Back-to-Chest- usedto keep an arm or hand still

1. Have your child sit on your lap facing away from
you with their chest against your chest.

2. Wrap their legs around your waist.

3. Place their arms under your arms. Wedge the
arm that will not have the procedure between
your body and theirs.

 Comfort Hold Technique 1

Chest-to-Chest- used to keep an arm or hand still

1. Have your child sit on your lap facing you with
their chest against your chest.

2. Wrap their legs around your waist.

3. Place their arms under your arms. Wedge the
arm that will not have the procedure between
your body and theirs.

 Comfort Hold Technique 2

Sideways Lap Sit- used to keep your child's legs still

1. Have your child sit on your lap facing sideways.

2. Wrap your arm around them. Hold theiroutside
arm with your arm. Wedge their other arms between
your body and theirs.

3. Put their legs between yours to hold them still.

 Comfort Hold Technique 3

Shoulder Hug- used to keep a head still

1. Have your child sit on your lap facing you with
their head resting on your shoulder.

2. Wrap your child's legs around your waist.

3. Place your hand on the back of their neck to
hold it still.

 Comfort Hold Technique 4

Ways to Calm Your Child

Your child may feel calmer if they don’t see what is being done. Ask your child to turn their head away and look at something else in the room. 

Other ways to distract and soothe your child, based on their age, include:

Babies - up to 12 months

  • Talk or sing softly.
  • Stroke their head, back, arm, or leg gently.
  • Offer a pacifier.

Toddlers - 1 to 3 years

  • Read a story.
  • Offer a favorite or new toy.
  • Give them a job or task.

Preschoolers - 3 to 6 years

  • Count or say ABCs.
  • Read a story.
  • Play a game.

School-age -  years and up

  • Do some deep breathing.
  • Talk about a hobby or event.
  • Play a game like I Spy or a letter game.

 

Comfort Hold Techniques (PDF), Nepali (PDF), Somali (PDF), Spanish (PDF)

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