Newborn pain: Evidence and implementation

Abstract

Abundant evidence exists regarding analgesic effects of breastfeeding, skin-to-skin holding and small volumes of sweet solutions before and during commonly performed needle procedures in sick and healthy newborn infants and young infants. Synthesised evidence, clinical practice guidelines, policies and co-produced staff and parent-targeted online resources exist summarising and showing the effectiveness of these strategies in practice. However, uptake of the evidence has been slow in the diverse settings where sick and healthy infants are cared for. Implementing these strategies is the responsibility of organisations where painful procedures take place, professional associations, leaders and individuals involved in caring for newborns and their families.