Positioning For

Comfort

Nora OConnell
What is positioning for comfort?
Main goal is to provide comfort for patients

Ways to position patients

Promotes stability and sitting still

Close contact

Positive positioning
What does positioning for comfort
do?
Provides children with control over the situation

Allows parents to participate in care

Provides support for patients and medical staff

Types of comfort positioning
Bear hug (chest to chest)

Front sitting (back to chest)

Side sitting

Frog

Swaddle
Chest to Chest
Also called bear hug: straddle parent in a big
hug

Best for children who dont want to watch the

procedure

IV, blood draw, injections

Back to Chest
Child sits on parents lap with their feet
secure in their legs

Gives child independence but also

includes comfort from caregiver

IV placement, blood draw, NG tube

placement, exam, port access
Side Sitting
Child sits on someones lap with
their legs over the bottom person

They sit next to the bed or table

Great for kids that want to feel

secure and watch the procedure
Frog
Patient lays on their back with their
feet touching and legs out with
parent at the head of the bed

Good for catheterization, pelvic exam,

dressing change

Provides distraction at the head of the

bed
Swaddle
Wrap the patient in a blanket

Hold them or place them in the crib

and hold from the side

Allows patient to feel comfortable

and contained

Sweet Ease can also be used for

infants to soothe
References
Comfort Positions. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://wechope.org/retinoblastoma/child-life/procedure-support/comfort-positions/

Ministry Healthcare. (2017). Child Life Program. Retrieved from http://ministryhealth.org/SJCH/ChildLife.nws

Nationwide Children's Hospital. (2016). Comfort Hold Techniques. Retrieved from

http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/comfort-hold-techniques

UF. (n.d.). Nonpharmacologic Management of Pain. Retrieved from

http://pami.emergency.med.jax.ufl.edu/e-learning-modules/non-pharmacological-treatment-of-pain/#prettyPhoto

University of Michigan. (n.d.). Comfort Positions. Retrieved from

https://wiki.umms.med.umich.edu/download/attachments/118333019/Large Comfort Position Poster

11-29-2010_edited-1.JPG