There is conclusive evidence to support how harmful untreated pain can be to the newborn infant. However,concerns about the potential side effects of medications used to treat pain in neonates has contributed to the delay in procedural pain management in this population. This review shows that oral sucrose, with or without non nutritive sucking, is effective and safe in preterm and full term infants up to one month. However, it may not be appropriate for all invasive procedures and the case for the use of other non pharmacological methods is clear.