Acute Pain Management in Children in Grand Rapids, MI

Pain in children should always be taken seriously. Untreated pain can affect a child’s sleep, mood, school performance, and even long‑term development. In Grand Rapids, parents have access to high-quality pediatric care through local providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health–University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

This guide explains how to recognize and manage acute (short-term) pain in children, when to use medicines safely, and when to seek urgent care in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.

Common Causes of Pain in Children

Children in West Michigan can experience acute pain from many everyday and medical situations, including:

  • Injuries (falls on ice in winter, sports injuries, playground accidents)
  • Illnesses and infections (ear infections, sore throat, flu)
  • Medical procedures (vaccinations, stitches, blood draws, surgery)
  • Normal developmental events (teething, growing pains)
  • Burns, cuts, or sprains
  • Dental problems

If you think your child is in pain, contact your pediatrician, family doctor, or an urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids for diagnosis and treatment. It is not always necessary to give pain medicine—sometimes non-medicine strategies are enough—but pain should never be ignored.

Local resources for evaluation include:

  • Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor
  • Pediatric clinics at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids pediatric services
  • Metro Health–University of Michigan Health urgent care locations
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for guidance on infections and vaccines

How to Tell if Your Child Is in Pain

Measuring pain in children—especially babies and toddlers—can be challenging because they may not be able to describe what they feel. Watch for changes in their body, behavior, and expressions.

Physical Reactions

Look for:

  • Crying, moaning, or groaning
  • Grimacing or writhing
  • Guarding or cradling a sore body part
  • Pulling away or protecting an area from touch or bumps
  • Changes in breathing, heart rate, or sweating
  • Looking flushed and sweaty, or pale and tired

If you are in a clinic or hospital (for example, at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital), staff may also check heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels as part of pain assessment.

Behavior Changes

A child in pain may:

  • Be quieter than usual or unusually irritable
  • Stop playing or avoid normal activities
  • Have trouble sleeping or wake more often
  • Lose their appetite
  • Seem listless, clingy, or “not themselves”
  • Regress to earlier behaviors, such as thumb sucking or wanting to be carried all the time

Listening to Your Child

Older children can often describe their pain:

  • Ask where it hurts and what it feels like (sharp, dull, throbbing, burning).
  • For children about 7 years and older, use a 0–10 scale:
    • 0 = no pain
    • 10 = the worst pain they can imagine

Some children may find it easier to draw their pain or point to a faces pain scale (happy face for no pain, crying face for severe pain), which many Grand Rapids pediatric offices use routinely.

Trust Your Instincts

No one knows your child better than you do. If you feel something is wrong, call your doctor, an urgent care center, or ask a nurse at a local hospital. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.

Non-Medicine Strategies for Managing Pain

Many non-medicine (non-pharmacologic) treatments can help reduce a child’s pain and anxiety. These are especially important during medical procedures, injuries, and illnesses common in Michigan’s changing seasons.

Non-medicine techniques fall into three main categories:

  1. Environmental (setting and atmosphere)
  2. Physical (touch and body-based comfort)
  3. Distraction (shifting focus away from pain)

1. Environmental Techniques

Create a calm, reassuring environment:

  • Keep the surroundings quiet and soothing
    Reduce loud noises, bright lights, and unnecessary activity.
  • Swaddle or wrap babies
    Many infants feel calmer and safer when gently swaddled.
  • Stay close and show you take their pain seriously
    Sit at their level, maintain eye contact, and listen.
  • Explain what is happening in simple, honest language
    Use age-appropriate words to describe what doctors or nurses are doing.
  • Reassure them that their pain will be managed
    Let them know that treatments (like a shot or blood draw) will be brief and are meant to help them feel better.
  • Offer choices when possible
    For example, let older children choose:
    • Syrup vs. tablet (if both are appropriate)
    • Flavor of liquid medicine
    • Which arm to use for a shot or blood pressure cuff

Feeling some control can lower fear and reduce the perception of pain.

2. Physical Techniques

Comforting touch and physical support can be very effective:

  • Give plenty of cuddles, hugs, and gentle rocking
  • Hold your baby skin-to-skin if appropriate
  • Gently massage or rub the child’s back, arms, or legs
  • For teething:
    • Gently massage the gum with a clean finger
    • Offer a clean, firm teething ring to chew

Icepacks and Heat

Cold and heat can help with certain types of pain:

  • Icepacks (cold packs)
    Helpful for:

    • Sprains and strains
    • Bruises
    • Minor sports injuries
      Wrap the icepack in a thin cloth; never place ice directly on the skin. Use for about 15–20 minutes at a time, with breaks.

  • Heat (warm packs)
    Helpful for:

    • Muscle aches
    • Cramps
      Use warm (not hot) packs and test the temperature on your own skin first to prevent burns.

Always ask your doctor or pediatrician for advice on whether cold or heat is appropriate for your child’s specific injury or condition.

3. Distraction Techniques

Shifting a child’s attention away from pain can significantly reduce how intense it feels:

  • Read books together
  • Watch a favorite TV show or movie
  • Play simple games (I Spy, card games, video games)
  • Listen to music or sing songs
  • Use bubbles, stickers, or small toys
  • Encourage deep breathing or blowing (pinwheels, bubbles) for older children

During procedures like vaccinations at a Grand Rapids clinic or health department site:

  • Hold your baby if allowed
  • For babies younger than 12 months, your healthcare professional may give a sucrose (sugar) solution to help with brief painful procedures
  • If your baby is under 6 months and you are breastfeeding, feeding during the procedure can provide comfort and pain relief

Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Medicines

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be very helpful for mild to moderate pain, such as pain from teething, minor injuries, or fever associated with common infections that are frequent during West Michigan’s cold and flu season.

Two common options for children are:

  • Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen in the U.S.; e.g., Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID; e.g., Motrin, Advil)

Both can:

  • Relieve pain
  • Reduce fever
  • Have relatively few side effects when used correctly

General Safety Rules

Before giving any medicine:

  1. Read the label carefully every time.
  2. Use a product specifically formulated for your child’s age and weight.
  3. Follow dosage instructions exactly as directed.
  4. Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine (oral syringe, dosing cup, or dropper).
    Never use a kitchen spoon—it is not accurate.
  5. Keep a written record of:
    • Date and time given
    • Medicine name and strength
    • Exact dose
    • Your child’s weight
    • Total amount given in 24 hours

If you are unsure, call your pediatrician, a local pharmacist, or a nurse line at a Grand Rapids hospital for guidance.

Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) for Children

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) has been safely used for many years to treat pain and fever in children when dosed correctly.

Important safety points:

  • Not recommended for babies under 1 month of age unless specifically directed by a doctor.
  • Dose must be based on your child’s weight, not just age.
  • There is only a small difference between the maximum daily dose and an overdose.
  • Too much paracetamol can cause serious liver damage.
  • Signs of damage may not appear for 2–3 days, even if your child seems well at first.

To Use Paracetamol Safely

  • Give only the dose written on the bottle or package according to your child’s current weight.
  • Do not guess the dose or use adult dosing instructions.
  • Always check the active ingredient to avoid doubling up with:
    • Cold and flu medicines
    • Combination products that also contain acetaminophen
  • Do not exceed the maximum number of doses in 24 hours listed on the label.

If you think your child has had too much paracetamol (acetaminophen):

  • Seek medical help immediately—go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids or call 911.
  • Do not wait for symptoms to appear; early treatment is critical.

Ibuprofen for Children (NSAID)

Ibuprofen is an NSAID that can relieve pain, reduce fever, and decrease inflammation (redness and swelling).

Important safety points:

  • Not recommended for babies under 3 months of age unless directed by a doctor.
  • Must be dosed based on your child’s weight.
  • Giving too much ibuprofen can cause serious side effects, including stomach and kidney problems.

To Use Ibuprofen Safely

  • Follow the dosing instructions on the bottle or package exactly.
  • Give the dose according to your child’s current weight.
  • Do not exceed the recommended number of doses in 24 hours.
  • Avoid giving ibuprofen to children who:
    • Are dehydrated (for example, from vomiting or diarrhea)
    • Have kidney problems
    • Have certain chronic illnesses (ask your doctor)

If you’re unsure whether paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen is better for your child’s situation, talk to your pediatrician, a Grand Rapids pharmacist, or a nurse at a local hospital.

Aspirin Warning in Children

Unless a doctor specifically advises it, do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age.

Aspirin use in children is linked to an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition that can cause severe liver and brain damage.

Always check medicine labels to make sure they do not contain aspirin or “salicylate” when giving anything to a child.

Prescription Pain Medicines for Children

For moderate to severe pain—such as after surgery, a serious injury, or a fracture—doctors in Grand Rapids may prescribe stronger pain medicines, including opioids such as:

  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone

These medicines are typically used:

  • For short periods
  • Under close medical supervision
  • At the lowest effective dose

Many parents worry about addiction, but when opioids are:

  • Prescribed appropriately
  • Given exactly as directed
  • Used for a short time

…addiction or dependence in children is extremely rare.

Possible side effects (such as drowsiness or constipation) should be discussed with your child’s doctor, and you should follow all safety instructions, including safe storage and proper disposal of leftover medicine at local medication take-back sites in Kent County.

Safe Dosing: How to Get It Right

To give any pain medicine safely and effectively:

  1. Know the active ingredient.
    Is it paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen, or something else?
  2. Calculate the dose based on your child’s weight.
    Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your child is very heavy or underweight for their age.
  3. Use the correct measuring device.
    Use the oral syringe or cup that comes with the medicine.
  4. Measure carefully.
    Double-check the amount before giving it.
  5. Record every dose.
    Note what was given, when, how much, and by whom.

Do not:

  • Guess or “round up” the dose
  • Use adult dosing guidelines for a child
  • Increase the dose because pain seems worse without talking to a doctor first

Increasing the dose beyond recommendations does not guarantee better pain relief and may increase the risk of serious side effects or harm.

Fever and Pain in Children

In Michigan, especially during cold and flu season, many children develop fevers with viral infections.

  • A mild fever is not usually dangerous and can actually help the body fight infection.
  • Not all fevers require medicine, especially if your child is drinking well, alert, and comfortable.

Always see a doctor or seek urgent care in Grand Rapids if:

  • Your baby is under 3 months and has a fever or seems unwell
  • Pain or fever persists or worsens
  • Your child has trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a rash that doesn’t fade, or seems very drowsy or difficult to wake
  • You are worried about your child’s condition

Unhelpful Pain-Management Strategies to Avoid

Some approaches can increase a child’s fear and make pain feel worse. Try to avoid:

  • Fake reassurance
    Don’t say “this won’t hurt at all” if it likely will (such as a shot). Instead, be honest but comforting:
    “You might feel a quick pinch, but I’ll be right here with you.”
  • Dismissing their feelings
    Avoid “It’s nothing” or “Big kids don’t cry.” Acknowledge their pain and emotions.
  • Focusing on the worst
    Research shows that expecting the worst can increase the perception of pain.

Instead, use calm, supportive language and focus on what you and the healthcare team are doing to help them feel better.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help in Grand Rapids

Go to the nearest emergency department (such as Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health–University of Michigan Health) or call 911 if:

  • Your child is in severe pain that does not improve with comfort measures or medicine
  • Pain is associated with:
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Severe headache and stiff neck
    • Confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness
    • A serious injury (suspected broken bone, large burn, deep cut)
    • A rash that does not fade when pressed
  • You suspect poisoning or overdose (including too much paracetamol/acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

For non-emergency concerns, contact:

  • Your pediatrician or family doctor in Grand Rapids
  • Local urgent care centers
  • A Grand Rapids pharmacist for medicine questions
  • Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for guidance on infectious illnesses and vaccinations

Key Points for Acute Pain Management in Children (Grand Rapids, MI)

  • Pain in children should always be taken seriously—it can affect their development and well-being.
  • Common causes include injuries, illnesses, medical procedures, and normal events like teething.
  • Non-medicine strategies (calm environment, physical comfort, and distraction) are often very effective.
  • Icepacks and heat can help with some injuries—ask your doctor which is appropriate.
  • Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen can both relieve pain and fever when used at the correct dose.
  • Never give aspirin to children under 16 unless specifically advised by a doctor due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
  • Follow dosing instructions exactly, based on your child’s weight, and always use proper measuring devices.
  • Do not increase doses on your own—higher doses can increase side effects and cause harm without better pain relief.
  • Seek medical advice from local Grand Rapids healthcare providers if you are unsure, if pain persists, or if your child appears very unwell.

By combining safe medicine use with supportive, non-medicine strategies, families in Grand Rapids can effectively manage acute pain in children and know when to turn to local healthcare resources for extra help.