"From a fear and anxiety perspective, we assume kids need distracting sounds and pictures and devices," Nager says. "Kids are most stressed about pain and blood and one of the things that can be done is to have soothing colors, calming pictures and gurneys that are child friendly. Lots of them now look like little cars or riding animals. Those kinds of things are distracting and add to the comfort level of kids who are traditionally uncomfortable and scared when they come into a hospital."

The efforts made by these and other companies to address the littlest patients help to make a difficult and frightening time a little less so - for children and for parents.

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