What is the best nursing intervention when administering an enema to an infant?

Encouraging parents to be present during the administration of an enema to an infant is the best nursing intervention because the presence of a parent can help comfort and reassure the infant during a procedure that may be distressing. Familiar faces can provide emotional support, reduce anxiety, and create a calmer environment. This presence can also facilitate bonding and help the infant feel more secure, making it easier for the healthcare provider to perform the procedure effectively and with minimal distress to the infant.

In this context, while the other options may seem supportive, they do not address the psychological comfort that a familiar caregiver can offer. Telling the infant that it will be over soon may not be beneficial, as infants do not understand spoken language the way older children or adults do. Providing soft toys or a feeding bottle may offer some distraction, but it does not replace the emotional reassurance that the parent can provide. Arranging for a child specialist to be present could be useful in certain circumstances, but it is not typically necessary for a procedure like an enema and could remove the comforting presence of a parent, which is vital for an infant's emotional well-being during medical interventions.