Parents will find unresolved pain in their child distressing and should therefore be encouraged to participate in the process of pain assessment and management. This partnership working is vital if pain management is to be effective. Matthew is only 6 weeks old and therefore unable to vocalise his pain, however he will be able to communicate his pain through other means, e.g. behaviour – crying, irritability, broken sleep patterns; changes in vital signs. Generally, parents will know their children’s usual behaviour patterns much better than a health professional. Matthew’s mother will be able to assess whether Matthew’s behaviour patterns have altered and can communicate this to the nurse. An individualised approach to pain management is essential if pain is to be resolved/minimised. Matthew’s mother will be able to help the nurse develop an individualised pain management care plan. The nurse could also involve the mother in the pain assessment tools used to assess Matthew’s pain. In addition, the nurse can encourage Matthew’s mother to use non-pharmacological interventions as a method of pain relief. The nurse can support and encourage Matthew’s mother to facilitate these, e.g. distraction, minimal handling and containment. The challenges that the nurse may face when supporting Matthew’s mother may include the mother’s perceptions of pain and the pain management available to treat pain. The balance between the use of medical and non-pharmacological pain relief measures can be challenging. Often parents will wish to give readily available pain relief, e.g. oral paracetamol as a first resort, even though non-pharmacological measures may have resolved the pain. The nurse needs to educate the mother in terms of the side effects of any pain-relieving medication and discuss the pros and cons of its use.