How to Care for Your Toddler While Managing Chronic Pain
Parenting is a fulfilling journey, but it can be a journey that poses extra challenges when managing chronic pain.
Parents with chronic pain often struggle to balance their health and childcare responsibilities in a way that ensures both are adequately provided for.
Luckily, there are ways to make parenting less overwhelming and more manageable over time.
With the right routines and resources, you’ll be better equipped to reduce your stress and improve your overall well-being.
Often, small changes, such as implementing rest periods, can make a significant impact in managing everyday obstacles.
Start by trying some of this practical advice for caring for your toddler while also taking care of your health.
Set Up a Routine That Works for Both You and Your Toddler
Toddlers thrive on routine, and that’s a good thing, because consistent schedules can also help reduce stress for parents with chronic pain.
Design a daily routine that includes structured play, meals, and rest time for your toddler.
Then, fit your own daily needs around the routine of your little one.
According to experts, toddlers need 11 to 14 hours of sleep, including naps. As they grow, they typically sleep longer at night and take one shorter nap.
If possible, try to plan nap times for the same time of day that you notice your pain levels tend to be higher, or times when you start to get fatigued.
Keep a stash of quiet activities on hand, like puzzles, books, or drawing supplies, that you can give to your toddler during times when you need to rest.
Keep toys and essentials in easy-to-reach locations to minimize physical strain throughout the day.
You may also want to consider preparing snacks and meals in advance, to save energy during busy times.
How Can I Adjust my Toddler’s Routine on Tough Pain Days?
On challenging pain days, modify your routine by incorporating extra rest periods for yourself and your child.
Simplify activities and meals to reduce strain. Keep things flexible.
Prioritize rest and essential activities, like meal times and play, and let non-essential tasks wait until you feel better.
Build a Strong Support Network for Additional Help
Caring for a toddler when dealing with chronic pain can be significantly easier with the right support network.
Reach out to family members, friends, or neighbors who can assist with childcare when needed.
Look for local parenting groups or chronic pain communities to connect with understanding individuals.
Sharing your challenges openly with trusted loved ones can help create a system of reliable help.
Babysitters or mother’s helpers can provide breaks when you need them, especially during flare-ups or exhausting days.
When it comes to issues that cause chronic pain, flare-ups are fairly common, and typically last between 2 to 7 days.
They often occur after overexertion or unusual activity, but can also sometimes happen for no obvious reason.
Understanding any triggers that lead to an increase in pain can help manage flare-ups and reduce their frequency.
If you do find yourself struggling during a flare-up, using community resources, like meal delivery or childcare programs, can reduce stress and provide much-needed relief.
How Do I Balance Asking for Help and Maintaining Independence?
The first step to creating balance in your life is identifying areas where you truly need help, whether that’s childcare or errands.
Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance in those areas. Yet, also try to maintain independence in manageable tasks.
This balance ensures your well-being without creating a situation where you’re overly reliant on others, allowing for greater self-sufficiency.
Prescription Medicines for Pain Management
Discuss pain management options with your doctor to find medications that suit your parenting needs.
Prescription medicines can help reduce pain levels, allowing you to care for your toddler effectively.
Always take the prescribed amount, and avoid drugs that may impair your ability to remain attentive to your little one.
Keep in mind that it may take some trial and error to find the best medication for managing your pain.
Be honest about your reactions to any medication you try, and keep a list of any side effects you experience.
If your pain is severe enough to be unmanageable, your doctor may prescribe opiates as a way to manage the pain.
Opiates can provide significant relief, allowing you to fulfill parenting responsibilities with less discomfort.
However, prolonged use of opiates may lead to dependence, creating additional challenges for managing pain.
As per the FDA, over 6.1 million people aged 12 or older are estimated to have opioid use disorder (OUD).
If opiate dependence develops, your healthcare provider may recommend medications for recovery support.
Suboxone: How Medication Can Assist in Opiate Dependence Recovery
Suboxone is an example of a medicine that may be used to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings, assisting in overcoming opiate dependence.
However, it has significant side effects, including dry mouth, which increases the risk of dental decay.
Severe dental issues, ranging from cavities to tooth loss, have been reported by Suboxone users.
According to TorHoerman Law, the medication’s link to dental decay has led to a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit against the manufacturers.
The lawsuit claims that manufacturers did not provide adequate warnings about the medicine’s risks.
This current lawsuit is an example of why medication used to treat opiate dependence should always be used with caution.
What Should I Do if I Experience Withdrawal Symptoms from Pain Medication?
If you’re cutting back on your use of opioids and experience withdrawal symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately to adjust your treatment plan.
Withdrawal is often more likely to happen when pain medications are reduced or stopped suddenly.
A gradual tapering approach may help minimize withdrawal symptoms, ensuring smoother transitions to different pain management strategies or medication reductions.
Engaging in Low-Effort Activities to Strengthen Your Bond
One of the hardest things about parenting with chronic pain is feeling like you’re not able to do the things your toddler wants to do.
But there are plenty of low-energy activities that can keep your toddler entertained while minimizing the physical demands on your body.
Consider storytelling, finger painting, or building with blocks, which require little physical exertion.
Use comfortable seating or supportive pillows to reduce strain while interacting with your child.
Sensory bins filled with sand, rice, or water offer engaging play without requiring constant movement.
Short outdoor activities, like sitting together in the yard, provide fresh air and calming moments.
Rotate between active and passive activities to conserve your energy throughout the day.
Simple bonding activities can create meaningful moments without adding to your pain.
How Can I Balance Playtime with my Toddler and Pain Management?
Balance playtime by incorporating short, restful breaks between engaging activities, ensuring you don’t overextend yourself.
Use low-effort activities during pain flare-ups to keep your toddler occupied while minimizing strain.
Physical activity is incredibly important for children, so it may be a good idea to request that be a priority when your support system is helping with your child.
Then, you’ll be free to bond with your little one in quieter time.
Prioritize your health and find ways to connect that work within your physical limits, without overwhelming yourself.
Parenting with chronic pain is never going to be an easy thing to do. It’s a balancing act that requires planning, moderation, and self-care.
From creating a workable routine for you and your little one, to exploring community support options, it’s important to investigate every avenue of support that’s available.
But, as difficult as the journey may be, your perseverance will help ensure that both you and your little one are able to thrive.