Nancy Flanders is back after a short stint away from DifferentDream.com. (She was busy conducting a successful cystic fibrosis fundraiser, BTW.) As always, her post is full of practical tips for you. In it, she deals with the sticky topic of getting a child through a blood draw.
Getting A Child Through a Blood Draw
There’s nothing I dread more than watching my daughter endure a blood draw, except perhaps watching a struggling technician try to locate a good vein. But after going through five in 2 1/2 years (four with child number one, and one with child number two), I have become somewhat of a pro. I know what to expect, I know what to ask for, and I know how to make my child as comfortable as possible.
Expect the Best
No matter what the doctor or nurse who is scheduling the blood draw says, the worst place to let them do a blood draw on your child is in the lab. Many of the technicians are afraid to work on a small child, especially a baby, and will waste huge amounts of time trying to work up the courage to put a needle into your baby’s arm. They will say they can’t find a vein. But then the more experienced technician will walk in – after your child is screaming and you are ready to walk out the door – and she will put the needle in and draw out the blood as if it was the most basic skill a person could have. Skip the dramatics. Find out who the best person is to perform your child’s blood draw. There are nurses who specialize in working with children. They are the people you want. Ask for them. Demand them. You will not regret it.
Insist on Comfort
There are wonderful people in this world known as Child Life Specialists. They are gifted at making children feel not just comfortable, but happy and carefree in a hospital setting. I can’t even begin to explain my level of gratitude to our very own Jenny at clinic. She has chased away many a tantrum and her colleagues at The Comfort Zone are equally amazing. They stop at nothing to make my daughter comfortable. They blow bubbles, sing songs, read books, do puzzles, and will act like a child themselves.
Ease the Pain
Peanut’s first two blood draws didn’t involve any numbing cream. It wasn’t offered and I’m guessing that’s because EMLA has been shown to have the worst side effects for infants. So for her first two blood draws, Peanut felt the pain of the needle. It still bothers me, especially because there are other options. Sweet-Ease is a sucrose solution that has been proven to lower discomfort levels in infants. Now that she’s older, we just slather on the cream about 30 minutes before. Despite the fact that they have to take blood out of both arms in order to run all of the tests they need, she doesn’t even flinch when the needles go in.
To Talk or Not to Talk About It
Depending on your child, only you can decide if you should talk to your child beforehand about the process of drawing blood. Some children need to know what to expect, but others won’t be able handle the anxiety of waiting for what’s to come. Understanding your child and trusting your gut are important to helping your child cope with the experience. Let her bring her comfort blanket or toy, or have it on hand in your bag just in case.
As parents, we are saddened by what are children have to go through. But we aren’t weakened by it. Insist on the best care and your child will receive the best care. You just have to know what to ask for while getting a child through a blood draw.
Where Were You 29 Years Ago, Nancy?
After reading Nancy’s post, I have only one question: Where were you 29 years ago when our son was subjected to frequent blood draws? How I wish your advice had been available then! If you have more tips and tricks to get kids through a blood draw, please leave a comment. Anything to help our little ones suffer less fear and pain is appreciated!
Nancy Flanders is a wife and mother of two girls, one with cystic fibrosis. After her daughter’s diagnosis at just 6 days old, she altered her career path to focus on writing about raising a child with a special health need. She spends any free moment she can find fundraising for a cure for her daughter and volunteering for her hospital’s cystic fibrosis advisory group. Visit Nancy at www.chronicadmissions.blogspot.com and www.parentingsquad.com.
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Thanks for your two cents worth! What an excellent perspective!
I m a phlebotomist of eight years. (Some folks confuse us with lab techs, but all we do is draw blood.) I ve drawn countless babies and children for blood and I would like to offer some insight from our side of the chair, if I may. The tips given for having your baby or child well-hydrated before the draw are excellent advice. However, many times babies and children come to us after having been sick and throwing up or experiencing diarrhea and are therefore dehydrated and cranky. This makes finding a vein much more of a challenge and sometimes, impossible. It s definitely stressful for anyone to have to watch as a needle is poked into your child s little arm or hand as they scream and cry and try to get away. It s stressful for the phlebomist, too; we don t like it any more than you do and we just want to get the blood as quickly and painlessly as we can. But the stress of these draws comes with the territory so we try to be as professional as possible and present an outward calm in the face of the stress. I would have to say that drawing children and babies is the worst part of my job because the little ones are too young to understand why this is happening and one bad experience can leave lasting memories that can make every draw after that an unpleasant one. Where I work, we have all of our supplies set up and ready to go before we look at a child or babies veins. We have Mom or Dad hold the child or baby on their lap, facing us and ask the adult to wrap their arms around the child in a bear hug, while leaving one arm out so that we can look at it for a vein. We always have a second phlebomist right there, also, to help hold the child s arm out straight for us and keep it in place as we insert the needle into the vein. We always use butterfly needles for children and babies, no exceptions. The following are reasons for not getting the blood successfully in my experience: dehydration, an extremely upset child or baby with constricted veins from the stress, a very strong baby or child that twists his or her arm or body right as the needle is inserted, veins that blow when the needle is inserted, no matter how carefully we try to thread the vein. (A vein that blows is one that immediately leaks blood into the surrounding tissue. Also known as a hematoma. Usually, but not always, the swelling from the hematoma makes getting blood from the blown vein impossible.) This leaked blood is absorbed by the body and is commonly known as a bruise. As we draw the blood, both myself and the other phlebomist try to sooth the child with calm, kind words of encouragement. After the draw, we do things like high fives for older kids and give stickers or teddy bears to the younger ones. Sometimes we ll fashion a quick, little bow to press onto the coban wrap if it s a little girl we ve drawn. We LOVE parents who try to stay calm during one of the most difficult things they have to witness their child go through. Most of us are parents too, and we remember how it feels. We re on your side and we want your child or baby to get the test done so that the doctor can properly treat them and you can get on with your lives. We welcome your questions and any insights to your child or baby s temperament and past experiences with blood draws. And lastly, please don t treat us like criminals for trying to do our job. There s a very real psychological factor in play when we re drawing blood. If you come in with a negative attitude and treat us disrespectfully, it can actually affect the outcome of the draw. We CAN be psyched-out. This rarely happens with experienced phlebotomists, but it s tough on the newer ones. It s in your child s best interest to be kind and be as relaxed as you can be. I apologize for those who ve given you a bad experience, we don t appreciate people like that either, they make it harder for all of us. Thanks for the chance to give my two cents. A Phlebomist from Idaho.
Thanks, Lisa!
I would also recommend using a baby vein finder tool, like the Wee Sight. It’s used in many hospitals and is very helpful in finding veins in neonated and toddlers. You can see more about it here: https://www.infrared-light-therapy.com/infrared-vein-finder/
Melanie, that’s good information. If a lab is kid-friendly and the phlebotomists are experienced, it might be the best place to do a blood draw. But each parent has to decide what is the best venue for their children. Jolene
I really think people need to check into a lab before they dismiss having a child’s blood drawn at a lab. I’m a Phlebotomist and I have not had any problems sticking a child as well as my co-workers. Most Doctors and Nurses I know don’t draw blood enough to be comfortable doing it on a child or baby. A phlebotomist’s job is to draw blood. There are a few exceptions but you just need to check around. MOST of the time, a lab IS THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE YOUR CHILD OR BABY DRAWN!
Sandra, I’m so sorry there your son has to go through such an ordeal on a regular basis. Have you considered checking with a hospital that has an IV team? They might be able to do the procedure more quickly. Jolene
Hi
My son has to get blood tests every 4 weeks to check his liver as the antibiotics he is on could do some damage to his liver. He is only 14 months old and has had several blood tests in the past but he had a 4 month break from tests and now we are back to test again. The problem is the nurse can never find any veins we could be there for a half an hour most times. Poor baby has nightmares for a few days afterwards.I keep his arms and hands warm and plenty of fluids beforehand I know he need the tests but it’s very upsetting seeing him go through this
You’re gonna do just fine Jenna. Try the tips and see if they help. Let me know how it goes. Jolene
I am so scared to go and get mine done I am 12 years old and I go and get mine in 2 days and tips
Thanks for the tip, Molly!
There are some great mobile phlebotomy companies out there that can do the pulls at home (in a familiar environment). I definitely recommend ConciergeDiagnostic.com if you are in Southern California (Orange County) area.
Helen,
Thanks for recommending such a needed resource.
Jolene
Helen,
Thanks for recommending such a needed resource.
Jolene
I purcahsed this book tittled:Parents Handbook Your Chils First Blood Test,author: Josephine Franco I never knew that were such material was available for parents.This book shuld have been out there a looonnng time ago it will give you and your child a piece of mind 32.00 is worth my piece of mind!!!
I purcahsed this book tittled:Parents Handbook Your Chils First Blood Test,author: Josephine Franco I never knew that were such material was available for parents.This book shuld have been out there a looonnng time ago it will give you and your child a piece of mind 32.00 is worth my piece of mind!!!
Thanks for all of your amazing comments and tips. I hadn’t thought about the IV connection as we’ve managed to avoid the IV since the one she had in the NICU. But I know they will be in our future! I am going to go check out the Buzzy! Hate ever having to see my kids in pain!
Thanks for all of your amazing comments and tips. I hadn’t thought about the IV connection as we’ve managed to avoid the IV since the one she had in the NICU. But I know they will be in our future! I am going to go check out the Buzzy! Hate ever having to see my kids in pain!
We have used the cream in the past, too, but we don’t always know when a stick will take place and have cream available. Thanks, Barb, for the link to the Buzzy. I am ordering one today. It will have multiple uses in our house!
We have used the cream in the past, too, but we don’t always know when a stick will take place and have cream available. Thanks, Barb, for the link to the Buzzy. I am ordering one today. It will have multiple uses in our house!
Thanks for all the input on this topic. Clearly it strikes a nerve with many parents. Hopefully, these creams have improved since 1999 when we tried them with our son, then age 15. Even with the cream, he fainted dead away every time an IV was put in his hand. Perhaps the response had more to do with his then untreated PTSD. It would be interesting to see how he would respond to such a procedure now that he’s been treated for PTSD.
Jolene
Thanks for all the input on this topic. Clearly it strikes a nerve with many parents. Hopefully, these creams have improved since 1999 when we tried them with our son, then age 15. Even with the cream, he fainted dead away every time an IV was put in his hand. Perhaps the response had more to do with his then untreated PTSD. It would be interesting to see how he would respond to such a procedure now that he’s been treated for PTSD.
Jolene
Nancy’s article is wonderful because it’s so practical. Twenty years ago we had two children that needed regular draws for different reasons, a 6 year old girl and a toddler boy. What I had to remember was that they were different children I had to approach the draw differently. Then I’d think I had it figured out and the next time they would be at a different stage and things would change. My tip is to be willing to do what you need to do for your child. Don’t let others (especially medical staff) dictate how you handle a draw.
For our son the anticipation of getting a new matchbox car after each draw helped. Some would consider it a bribe, but talking about which one he would chose was a diversion. He’s now 25 and we have a HUGE box of matchbox cars and he remembers when he got them. Our daughter was extremely fearful and distrustful so eventually our pediatrician actually did the draws for us. Our daughter trusted her,which helped tremendously. Her reward after a draw (regardless of how she acted) was going to visit the dogs at the human society. I wanted them to have something fun to look forward too after a draw.
Thanks Nancy for sharing your insights and tips with parents that endure medical tests regularly. I pray God’s blessings on all families that are experiencing life differently right now.
Nancy’s article is wonderful because it’s so practical. Twenty years ago we had two children that needed regular draws for different reasons, a 6 year old girl and a toddler boy. What I had to remember was that they were different children I had to approach the draw differently. Then I’d think I had it figured out and the next time they would be at a different stage and things would change. My tip is to be willing to do what you need to do for your child. Don’t let others (especially medical staff) dictate how you handle a draw.
For our son the anticipation of getting a new matchbox car after each draw helped. Some would consider it a bribe, but talking about which one he would chose was a diversion. He’s now 25 and we have a HUGE box of matchbox cars and he remembers when he got them. Our daughter was extremely fearful and distrustful so eventually our pediatrician actually did the draws for us. Our daughter trusted her,which helped tremendously. Her reward after a draw (regardless of how she acted) was going to visit the dogs at the human society. I wanted them to have something fun to look forward too after a draw.
Thanks Nancy for sharing your insights and tips with parents that endure medical tests regularly. I pray God’s blessings on all families that are experiencing life differently right now.
I’m in the hospital with Emily right now. I have to say every one of these tips is crucial to getting through blood draws. However, they also work for putting in IVs as well. Another ticket to getting things done with minimal discomfort is to be sure the staff know that you will be proceeding on your CHILD’S timetable, not theirs! I don’t care where else they have to be, if they will take care with my child, they will get there faster than fighting and trying to force her. Talking her through the process and giving her every choice possible will speed the process and make sure she cooperates without fear. (and this will speed the process further next time!) My daughter also has no feeling below her waist, so we insist on small blood draws coming from her toes to minimize the discomfort. The look on nurses’ faces is priceless, but they usually end up agreeing, it was faster and easier. Letting her choose which arm, where on her arm, who she wants to do it, which parent she wants sitting beside her, etc, gives her control over an otherwise uncontrollable process.
I’m in the hospital with Emily right now. I have to say every one of these tips is crucial to getting through blood draws. However, they also work for putting in IVs as well. Another ticket to getting things done with minimal discomfort is to be sure the staff know that you will be proceeding on your CHILD’S timetable, not theirs! I don’t care where else they have to be, if they will take care with my child, they will get there faster than fighting and trying to force her. Talking her through the process and giving her every choice possible will speed the process and make sure she cooperates without fear. (and this will speed the process further next time!) My daughter also has no feeling below her waist, so we insist on small blood draws coming from her toes to minimize the discomfort. The look on nurses’ faces is priceless, but they usually end up agreeing, it was faster and easier. Letting her choose which arm, where on her arm, who she wants to do it, which parent she wants sitting beside her, etc, gives her control over an otherwise uncontrollable process.
Hi Amy, You can get EMLA as a prescription from your peds office. Or you can ask about it where you will be having the blood draw done. There are different types of creams and some hospitals prefer to use one over the other. You will want the help of a nurse in applying it for at least the first time, since your child’s arm will need to be covered in plastic and the cream left on for a while. It will involve getting to the appointment a little early… but it is worth it.
Nancy
Hi Amy, You can get EMLA as a prescription from your peds office. Or you can ask about it where you will be having the blood draw done. There are different types of creams and some hospitals prefer to use one over the other. You will want the help of a nurse in applying it for at least the first time, since your child’s arm will need to be covered in plastic and the cream left on for a while. It will involve getting to the appointment a little early… but it is worth it.
Nancy
Where do I get EMLA cream? Do they have it already? Do I provide it?
I LOVE this kind of article….Thank You!
Where do I get EMLA cream? Do they have it already? Do I provide it?
I LOVE this kind of article….Thank You!
As a family that deals with 3 pokes a week at the very least, I must say that this is SUCH a necessary post today! So many kids struggle with these needle sticks, and it breaks moms’ hearts. Two other new tools that parents are reporting success with include the Buzzy http://www.buzzy4shots.com/ and Pain Ease Spray http://www.gebauerco.com/Products/Gebauer-s-Pain-Ease.aspx. Thanks for presenting this important topic, ladies!
As a family that deals with 3 pokes a week at the very least, I must say that this is SUCH a necessary post today! So many kids struggle with these needle sticks, and it breaks moms’ hearts. Two other new tools that parents are reporting success with include the Buzzy http://www.buzzy4shots.com/ and Pain Ease Spray http://www.gebauerco.com/Products/Gebauer-s-Pain-Ease.aspx. Thanks for presenting this important topic, ladies!