Calming a crying infant

In The Wall Street Journal this April, a piece headed “Just a Spoonful of Sugar” by Yuliya Chernova described the medical use of sugar as a pain-management method for infants, e.g., during injections.

Chernova wrote, “Sugar water ingested, via a dropper or on a pacifier dipped in the solution, has been shown to reduce pain in infants up to six months old. Many neonatal units give a solution of roughly one sugar packet mixed in about one tablespoon of water prior to shots and other procedures. . .”

The ingredients are available on flights that serve meals and can be suggested to the parent of an uncontrollably crying infant without risk to the airline.

G.F. MUEDEN

New York, NY