Wound Dressing Changes

If you think he's more comfortable at home with you, then you do it. You kind of have to get over your squeamishness as a mom - it's tough but it's part of the deal. Otherwise, call the pedi and see if the nurse can do it - you don't need to see the doctor. It might be cheaper too. The nurse and the office are familiar to your son and may be more relaxing than the ER situation was. I would think Visiting Nurse is a little more arranging than you need, and more fuss than your son needs.

Make the appointment with the pediatrician, then give him motrin/ibuprophen before you leave the house so that it will be in his system for the appointment and beyond.

If you feel uncomfortable doing the dressing change, you can ask the pediatrician to do it. You cannot just call the Visiting Nurses to come out for a dressing change, a doctor needs to order the service the service needs to be approved by insurance and then your son needs to be admitted under their care.

has your son's pain decreased since the visit to the ER? You can given him some childrens pain medication 45 minutes prior to the dressing change to help with the discomfort.

i would make the appointment to get his dressings changed. make sure to have the doctor or nurse who changes it to show you the most painless way to do so. explain why and that you want to be helpfull in his care. i would explain to him that it will hurt but they will try to make it hurt as less as possible. i would also ask about giving him advil or motrin for the pain. tylenol is ok but has to be given more often. advil or motrin will help with the pain and the inflamation that usually goes along with injuries that has to be stitched. remember kids are alot stronger then we give them credit for. just dont let on that you are really worried about putting him thru anymore pain. if there is a big deal made they will play into it and then they will convince themselves it hurts alot more then it does and it will drive you insane. when a person thinks it really really hurts more then it orginally did then the brain tells you it does. its a mind over matter thing, i have learned it the hard way with 3 kids..lol i went thru a broken arm, stitches twice in the head and severe burn mark on my son, and he is now only 15,heaven help me..lol. hang in there...he is a boy..boy's are prone to stuff like that growing up.

Good Morning C., If you are queasy about the wound dressing change definitely ask your Ped or Nurse to do it for you. Either way it is going to be painful so if you could give him a pain med Tylenol etc before it may help.

When our kid-o's are in pain it seems to hurt us just as much.
Been there several times with our son's growing up. I had my first stitches in 09 and I am 58 not a fun experience and I couldn't bend 3 fingers on my right hand for days..
God Bless you and relax, the ouches are just beginning
K. Nana of 5