The first time I took my daughter to the pediatrician at three days old, I already knew I’d be walking in as equal parts new mom and Certified Child Life Specialist. Armed with a strong background in child development and psychology, child life specialists are trained to help children and families cope with the anxiety and uncertainty of a variety of life experiences including but not limited to acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, life transitions, disability, loss and bereavement.

Each time I visited the pediatrician, I experienced an overwhelming desire to prove to myself and my baby girl just what I had in me as a mom and a child life specialist. I held my head high and proudly told the nurses that I was a child life specialist as I rocked my babe back and forth, played music, provided distraction techniques, comfort positionings, and immediately fed her after a shot.

It wasn’t until her four month visit that I encountered a nurse that instructed me to “lay her on the table for the shot”. Well, as both a child life specialist and mom, I can only imagine my face as I physically recoiled. I calmly explained to the nurse that she was not a fidgety baby, and there was no need to “hold her down”. As the nurse informed me that she wasn’t willing to “risk her medical license” if my baby flinched and was accidentally poked with the needle, I gently informed her of the published evidenced-based research concerning comfort holds and positions and the effects they have on reducing trauma on young children during medical events. Needless to say, the nurse was not impressed with my knowledge, and asked if I’d like another nurse. With my husband’s eyes burning a hole in the back of my head, I smiled and said, “yes, that would be great.” And that was the end of that. My baby had another successful round of shots, complete with comfort positionings, popping the bottle in her mouth immediately after the injection, and soothing songs throughout.

That first experience of truly advocating for my child felt slightly uncomfortable but mostly thrilling! I had done something that I had coached so many parents and child patients to do for themselves throughout my career in pediatric hospitals. A few weeks after that adventure at the pediatrician’s office, I told a few mom friends my tale, and they all had the same reaction: “I can’t believe I am allowed to ask to hold my baby during a shot!” I honestly couldn’t believe my ears. With that, I dove headfirst into the importance of advocating for yourself and your child. It was so surprising that these well-educated, confident women were experiencing “white coat” syndrome as extreme as some of the most vulnerable children I had worked with.

It was then that I realized the need for child life supportive services within my own community. I had been contemplating the idea of returning to my 9-5 child life position at NYU Langone, and was beginning to miss the work terribly. It suddenly clicked that my skills could be utilized with children and families in my community. I could host “Teddy Bear Clinic” workshops for all of those scared little faces that I passed as I walked through the waiting room at the pediatrician’s office, providing developmentally-appropriate education and preparation for check-ups. I could offer private sessions for children in their homes to help them cope with a variety of challenging issues, from dealing with a transition to a new school to understanding a parent’s illness. I could support parents struggling to deal with their children’s anxieties and fears. With that, Kid Cope Specialists was born. My hope in developing this resource for families, educators and medical professionals is to provide practical and useful guidance and support for life’s challenging moments.

Randi Jaffe is a Certified Child Life Specialist and mom who recently developed a private practice in Hoboken, NJ. Randi has worked at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and most recently at NYU Langone Medical Center. To learn more information about child life and services offered, please visit www.KidCopeSpecialists.com.

Infants, children, youth, and families benefit from help with coping with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury and treatment. Certified Child Life Specialists® provide evidence-based, developmentally-appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation and education that support and reduce fear, anxiety and pain. Certified Child Life Specialists are educated and trained in the developmental impact of illness and injury. Their role helps improve patient and family care, satisfaction and overall experience.