Living and Loving – August 2019

50 | AUGUST 2019 | L&L

HELP YOUR

LITTLE ONE

deal with pain

Whether it’s an “ouchie”, a “boo-boo” or

other pet name, few things in life create more

helplessness in parents than a little one in pain.

Here’s how you can make things better.

By Lynne Gidish

HOW TO

T

here’s often fear

associated with

childhood vaccinations,

illnesses or surgeries,

explains Dr Annemarie Oberholzer,

coordinator of the PEProgram

(Paediatric Empowerment

Programme), which aims

to empower parents and

professionals involved in the

care of children in healthcare

to optimally support them when

faced with painful challenges.

“Fear plays a huge role in pain

and pain management,” she

says. “It’s true that pain is the

alarm system of your body, but

your brain also depends on

your emotions to determine

if the alarm is real or not.”