Every child experiences them -- a bruise, a scrape, a skinned knee, even a slight burn. To us the child's wound seems minor, but to the child it becomes a major catastrophe. Even if there is not a drop of blood, your child will cry and scream as if he is going to die. As a parent, you feel helpless. You just want to reason with your child, and explain that his boo boo is not the end of the world. Unfortunately, you cannot reason with a devastated child. Instead you must resort to soothing techniques that will help your child's perceived pain to away.
Here are three tips to help your child deal with a small boo boo.
1) The Bandage
Never underestimate the power of the bandage. You can buy colorful bandages, or ones that have a favorite cartoon character emblazoned across the surface. A bandage, even on a wound that is not bleeding, will make your child feel special. It will help distract him from his pain. The next time you go to the store, ask your child which type of bandages he prefers. Before putting the bandage on your child, be sure the wound is clean. Use a mild disinfectant to help stave off infection.
2) A Cold Cloth
A cold cloth can help reduce the pain of a bruise or a traumatized mouth. Just make sure that th cloth is clean. You can also wrap a few slivers of ice in the cloth to help keep it cold. Your child can lay the cold material against the area that the bruise is forming to keep the swelling under control and reduce the bruises appearance. The cold will also help relieve the pain.
3) A Kiss
Never underestimate the power of a simple kiss to make everything better. A hug helps, too. I always tell my children that my kisses are magic because they are filled with lots of love, so will make any boo feel better.
