Hi mama,
My little guy is 3 (4 in July) and we are going for a blood draw this morning. Needless to say, I'm worried about him, his pain and how he's going to do for this. Have any of you taken such a young child for a blood draw? If so, can you share your tips and suggestions on how I might make him more comfortable?
Thank you so, so much!
You all are so wonderful! How could I even have been worried? My little man was a total champ. No tears. I told him why we were there when we got to the parking lot. I brought along his blankie, a special drink in his sippy cup and a book. We talked about what would happen and when I explained that they would be taking his blood, he asked "am I going to die?". It was so cute and so innocent. We had an open discussion about what would happen, what the blood would be used for, and that it might pinch a little. He sat in my lap, watched as they inserted the needle and took 3 vials of blood and never even finched! I couldn't believe it. I, on the otherhand, was the one with a tear or two because I was so proud of how brave he was. What a relief! Thank you all so, so much :)
My 2 year old went. We brought her favorite blanket and she sat on my husbands lap. They use a very fine needle.She watched them and never cried. I think it was more upsetting for me.
I agree to not let him watch if he seems upset. A book is a good idea. Asking him questions about the book might help. Engaging him in a conversating about what you guys will be doing for the day might be helpful.
In my state we have to get blood testing at 1. Although my baby had one prior to her turning 1 as well. Both times went ok. Honestly what calmed her down the most was getting her out of there right away after they were done. She felt better once she was in her car seat with her toys and her bottle. Even though your little one probably doesnt drink a bottle, maybe have a lollipop or something he likes handy? Try to stay calm for him, and good luck!
My kids have had several, both since the age of 1. They are now 9 and 3.
The last one was last week, my 3y old watched the whole time. The key is for YOU to be calm and confident. Your child will respond to you.
The trick that I use is this.
1. If its not a test where you have to be food and drink free before hand, have him drink something on the ride up there. It will help hydrate him and bring his veins to the surface.
2. Take a small book or 2 cars. Play with him to distract him.
3. Think of a list. We are going on a trip soon, so I talked to my 3y the whole time about the toys she wanted to take on the trip. The whole thing was over before we got to the 8th item.
Then we stopped for cherry slurpees!
M.
The fear is worse than the actual test! They usually use a butterfly, and the needle is little, so if you can distract him before hand, it will be better. I tell mine that they get to choose a reward after, and if they feel like crying, they can, but they only get the reward if they sit sitll and let the nurse do what she needs to. I also reasure that it won't really hurt that much, my kids would cry until the needle when in, then stop and say, "that's it?" I find down playing it works well, offering a reward for cooperation, giving permission to cry, and being firm that it just has to happen is the best way to make it though. You will probably be more traumatized than he is, so it is best if he does not see your worry!
M.
If you don't make a big deal about it, he won't know any better. If you tell him to be brave and that it will only hurt for a few minutes, you'll build up the expectation that it "should" hurt.
I may have the only kids in the world who don't cry when they get vaccinated. I've sold injectible medications for most of my career. Most of the pain is completely psychological because of the anticipation.
Blood draws really aren't painful after the initial stick. I've been a human pin cushion the past 2 years and have severely scarred veins from chemo/CT contrast and corresponding blood draws.
They modify the size of the needly for pediatric patients, so the pain should be very limited. And, if you divert his attention elsewhere during and after, you should have to worry.
Hope that helps. Just don't impose your own fears/anxiety on him, and he'll probably do a ton better than you might expect.
Good luck.
try to stop worrying. My son needed many many blood draws before he ever reached your sons age and it never phased him much. So wait and see. I would suggest you take him to a Children's Hospital as the nurses there know every trick in the book to make it go easier.
I agree with Leslie! Ice cream double scoop and for your son maybe a single scoop.. Hee, hee..
Let him know it may hurt for a moment, but the more still he is the less it will hurt.
Ask him to look at you not the area they are drawing blood. Take a book and read to him while they are drawing the blood.
two words.... ice cream
This will hurt his little arm, and if you are able to hold him and somehow distract him, the stillness will help whoever is drawing the blood, the more he holds still the less it will hurt...
If you are going to a doctors office, they could also apply a little topical analgesic to the area a couple of minutes before hand.
Good luck, and make sure you commend him for being a strong brave boy, and point out to him later in the day that his arm doesn't hurt anymore, and it only took 2 minutes to do, so next time he won't be as scared
Be sure you ask for a tech with experience in dealing with children. Let them know that your child is not for training on.
How you deal with this is going to depend a lot on the temperment of your child. If he freaks out, you may end up basically laying across him on a gurney to both block his view and keep him still.
If he's pretty calm, you can hold him in your lap. The tech will have done this hundreds of times prior and will know how you ought to hold him and what should be done to distract your child...but it doesn't hurt to bring some things along. A snack afterwards from home can be especially comforting, as can a favorite blankie or stuffed toy.
In my state, we are required to get blood lead levels starting at age 1. So, we are used to getting blood draws.
The pain is only temporary. Yes, it will hurt, there is really not much to do about that. The level of pain is related to the skill of the person drawing blood, the quality of your son's veins, and how still he is. (Usually, two people are nearby to help hold down the child). It is essential that his arm is still. If it is not, he may require multiple sticks.
Your son will be checked in, and he will probably sit in your lap in a special chair. Talk quietly to him, and don't let him realize you are scared too!
It will be over in less than a minute! He'll get a bandaid and then it's back to life. Good luck and don't stress him or you over this!
I second the suggestion for the EMLA cream.
In the future, ask for a prescription for EMLA cream, which numbs the area before the draw. I hope it goes well.
My twin girl's had their first blood draw when the were two. They both were scared and crying but it was over quick. There isn't anything that makes them comfortable when they see a needle coming at their arm. Just keep reassuring them that you are there.
Glad your son did so well!
My daughter has gotten blood drawn every other month since the age of two (almost four years). She also gets two injections each week. She actually begs to get blood drawn instead of one of the injections. When she first started getting poked with needles, we tried emla, but she hated it. She didn't like the feeling of it on her skin. We also tried ice, which she also hates.
There is a thing called a Buzzy (you can google it - buzzy needle pain management or something like that). It's supposed to keep the child from feeling the needle. We tried that with one of my daughter's shots, but because the medication burns as it enters the skin, the Buzzy didn't work. She also felt the needle for her other injection. She's been poked with needles so often that I don't think the Buzzy was right for her, but for a child who has an occasional encounter with a needle, it might be a good option!
At my daughter's last blood draw, she watched a teenager go in by herself , and so she said she was going by herself too. I asked if she was sure, and she said 'yes' so my husband and I watched her go in and do it by herself (get her sleeve rolled up, put out her arm, tell the phlebotomist that she doesn't like bandages, etc.). It brought tears to my eyes that my five year old could be so brave and mature to handle it all alone like that. Kids are amazing!!
Make sure they let the alcohol dry before inserting the needle. Not doing so makes the alcohol penetrate the skin, making it even more painful. As a nurse this is one of my biggest pet peeves!!
My daughter had to have a few blood draws when she was about one. It wasn't so much the pain from the needle that made her cry it was having them hold her arm and body still so she couldn't move. I found it helpful to have her rest in my lap and hold her myself so I could talk to her and soothe her the entire time. I would sing songs and keep her attention on my face so she didn't have to look at the stranger who was doing the blood draw. Right after it was done I would cuddle her and give her lots of snuggles and then offer her a special snack I brought along. Good luck. Hope this helps.
