Children and Blood Draws

Jargon warning : None Present
Current Mood: relaxed

Lately I've been asked on what you can do to help a child's blood being taken go easier, and be less stressful on your child. Here are a few things that are helpful.

A. Before you come in:

If the child is old enough, explain what will happen when they get poked, or leave enough time that the person taking the blood can explain it to them when you get there. There are several online booklets that can help. See Here.

DO NOT tell your child that it will not hurt, because it will. Tell them its like being pinched or bitten by a mosquito, but the needle will be very small and it will be over quickly. If your child thinks it will not hurt, and then it does, the mismatched expectation often causes thrashing and panic during the procedure.

DO ensure you child has had plenty of water to drink before you come in. Even if a specimen is to be "fasting", you can still drink all the water you want. This will cause the veins to be more plump and visible, which equals an easier poke and no "digging" in the arm. This works for adults too!B. During the Collection

Decide beforehand if you as a parent are able to stay calm being in the same room during the blood draw. Either way is fine; its just if you think you will fuss or cry yourself during the procedure, this will upset your child. If you do stay in the room.....

B. During the phlebotomy:

You can hold your smaller child in your lap to help prevent squirming. A parents lap is a safe space for a young child.

You can help distract! Depending on the age of the child, there usually will be small stickers to give out after the draw, finger puppets, a stuffed animal, and/or comics on the walls, to look at.
Some of the more sucessful child phlebotomists I know have memorized a mountain of knock-knock jokes. Even asking questions that the child has to think about to answer is a good distraction from getting upset.

You can hold their other hand, for older children

Tell them its okay to make as much noise as they want, or cry, as long as they don't move their arm. (or hit the person with the needle ^^) Parent and child can sing a favorite song if they like; whatever distraction that enables the child to hold still, we're happy with.

If your child is not of an age to hold their arm still, often we have the parent and another helper immobilize the arm and torso. If the child is still, the chances of needing a second poke are much slimmer.

C. After the Collection :

Praise your child! Tell them they were brave, and did well. Positive association is important for next time.

Hope this helps!