Comfort Hold Techniques
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 | |
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Back-to-Chest- usedto keep an arm or hand still 1. Have your child sit on your lap facing away from 2. Wrap their legs around your waist. 3. Place their arms under your arms. Wedge the |
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Chest-to-Chest- used to keep an arm or hand still 1. Have your child sit on your lap facing you with 2. Wrap their legs around your waist. 3. Place their arms under your arms. Wedge the |
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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 3. Put their legs between yours to hold them still. |
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Shoulder Hug- used to keep a head still 1. Have your child sit on your lap facing you with 2. Wrap your child's legs around your waist. 3. Place your hand on the back of their neck to |
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)
HH-II-230 • ©2016, revised 2022 • Nationwide Children's Hospital