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Pain relief and comfort using sucrose solution

Sucrose solution can provide short term comfort and pain relief during tests /procedures for infants up to 18 months of age.

Sucrose solution is special preparation of sugar mixed with sterile water and preservatives.

It works because:

• The sweet taste has an instant calming effect on young infants
• It triggers the body to release its own pain relieving effects 

Sucrose solution works when given by mouth (on sides of mouth or tongue) with or without a dummy, since sucking provides comfort to young children.

• Your child is given a small amount of sucrose solution using a syringe on the top of the tongue two minutes before the start of a test/procedure
• Your child can have small amounts during/ and or until the end of the test/procedure.

Sucrose solution can be used for painful/distressing procedures or tests e.g. blood test, ultrasound, drain insertion or removal, and other medical or imaging tests. 

It is best not to use it to comfort upset babies who are crying or for children in pain from colic.  

What else helps infants during tests/procedures?

• For infants less than 6 months old:
  • swaddle
  • holding
  • patting
  • cuddles
  • parental contact and/or breast-feeding.  
• For infants more than 6 months old:
  • sitting on adults lap
  • cuddle
  • calm voice
  • stroking
  • singing
  • bubbles
  • playing with a book or toy.

Additional comments

• Bottled sucrose solution is made by the Royal Children's Hospital Pharmacy Department. It contains trace amounts of the preservative methyl hydroxybenzolate.
• The commercial pre packaged solution has two buffers - citric acid and dibasic sodium phosphate and two preservatives methylparaben and potassium sorbate.
• Both of these solutions are prepared and packed in a health care setting and have not been in contact with animal or other food products.
• These solutions are considered very safe and effective for helping reduce children's pain.
• Reduce children's discomfort during tests and procedures