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Learn MoreOral sucrose is a simple sugar solution given as a liquid by mouth. It can comfort infants and toddlers during brief medical procedures that could cause pain. Your child’s care team will place the oral sucrose either inside their cheek or on the tongue. Sucking on a pacifier may increase the effect of oral sucrose. But it will still work if your baby cannot use a pacifier.
Oral sucrose is a comfort measure. It can be used with other comfort measures such as holding and swaddling your child, position changes, and distraction.
A member of the care team will place 1 or 2 drops of oral sucrose solution on your child’s tongue or inside the cheek. They will do it 2 minutes before a painful procedure, during the procedure, and after the procedure, if needed.
Your child may be given a pacifier after the oral sucrose. Your child will not get more than 3 mLs (milliliters) during an 8-hour time frame.
Oral sucrose is used in children up to 2 years of age during painful or uncomfortable procedures such as:
Oral sucrose is not right for your child if they have:
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Reviewed: September 2022