Making a Blood Test easier for my Child. NEED ADVICE PLZ?

Question

Plz help me.

How can i make a Blood Test,easier for my 7 year old ?

Really hates needles & doctors. Can she sit on my lap ?

Answer 1

Have her bring her favorite stuffed animal & have the doctor "practice" on it.

Answer 2

I am 13 but have had to receive many many blood tests and know how unpleasant it can be.

The child might be able to sit on your lap, but she might not be. Make sure the child knows this ahead of time. Ask the person doing the test to explain every thing that is going to happen. Also ask if they have a numming spray/gel/cream to dull the pain for the child. The phlebotomist will tie a rubber ribbon around the childs arm, which I think is more painful than the actual test. Ask that they use the smallest needle possible. Tell the child to keep looking at you, not the spot that they are drawing the blood from. Looking at the spot makes it a lot worse. Make funny faces so that the child laughs, or smiles at least. The person drawing the blood will most likely count to three. When they insert the needle, let the child squeeze your hand. She's most likely going to be in pain, so if she crys, let her. Just be a mom, comfort her as best you can. Let her know that this is all for her benifit. When the test is over, give her a big hug and congradulate her for being a brave girl. Then you can take her for a reward such as ice cream, maybe to the toystore to pick out a toy, or something she would like to do. This is going to be scary for her, but if she knows whats going to happen and that you'll be right there with her, I think she will be ok. Best of luck!

Answer 3

Sure if that helps. What often helps is having something for them to be looking at while they test is going on (which isn't long, as you know). Get a new cell phone game or some kind of simple puzzle, and try to distract her. Think of some kind of word game or just talk, talk, and talk while its going on.

If you can keep her calm and distracted that will help; but worst case, if all you can do is keep her from moving while its being done that may be the best you can do. She'll get over it the minute the blood-drawing is done.

One thing, though: Talk to her nonchalantly about what will go on and about how it may hurt just a little but isn't a big deal. Mention how its normal not to like having blood taken but most people don't think its all that horrible. In other words, try to brainwash her as much as possible before the actual day arrives. How something is presented to a child (with calmness and an attitude of "no big deal") can often make a big difference.

Answer 4

Thinking about it is WAY worse than doing it!! I find kids have a fear of the unknown, and if they imagine anything about it, it freaks them out! Personally, I would NEVER let a doctor draw my blood (only because mine doesn't do it often) - you want someone who does it all day, every day - instead of someone who does it once in a while. If you can find a good lab tech, they often explain everything they're doing step by step and answer the child's questions appropriately. (If the doctor has to do it, that's fine, as long as they can do it.)

Before - What you can do to get your child ready is to explain a little bit about what they're going to do. Explain that they're going to take some of her blood, it might pinch like a beesting, but that won't last long. (Telling her they want to make sure his blood is red instead of green or plaid or striped might make her giggle a little.) Tell her there's a LOT of grownups who don't like it either, but they don't get a choice about it. You're going to help her make it not so bad if you can.

During - have her look away - even close her eyes - and distract her by talking about something she likes to do or something she's looking forward to. (a trip, her birthday, etc.) Then have a reward ready right afterwards!

Some places will let her sit on your lap, some don't. Ask about their procedure beforehand.

Answer 5

ABSOLUTELY you can allow her to sit on your lap! Children need us parents to be the best advocate we can possibly be for them...so, if the phlebotomist (the individual who draws the blood) gives you a hard time, just nicely insist that your daughter will indeed be sitting on your lap. Also, ask for the smallest gauge needle that they have, as this makes the procedure less painful. AND they have a new spray (and sometimes a cream that you put on in advance that is a topical numbing ointment)...this worked wonders for my son! FYI, the spray is COLD, so my son preferred the use ahead cream. Good luck and remember to TALK to her in the calmest voice possible. The more you talk to her, quietly and calmly the more relaxed she will be. And above all else remember that she is picking up on any and all of the emotions you are feeling and taking her cue from you. I know how hard it is to watch your child become upset or have to face a fear...be brave for her, acknowledge her fear but reassure her that it will be over soon. And if you are going to a lab (versus your pediatrician) you absolutely can ask for the most experienced person dealing with small children. I wsih you the best and will have a good thought for you and your daughter.

Answer 6

my 7 yr old just had surgery at the end of october and had her first blood draw. She was nervous but I sat down and explained everything to her, and told them why, and how they had to check her blood... She was nervous and was fine until she saw the needle. I had her on my lap, but she kept bending her arm up and refused to let the lab tech near her! I ended up getting up and walking to the corner of the room, and with the nurse their to hold her, she let the lab tech take the blood. Sometimes a child will be more resistant with a parent their to "rescue" them from the situation. Talk to the nurse/lab tech before hand, and ask if you will be allowed to be with your child, or be away from your child during the procedure. (Mine allowed both so it worked well) When she freaked out I simply told her that this is a necessary procedure that will barely hurt, and I needed to walk away until she would allow the lab to take the blood.Two minutes later they were done, and the most she fussed about it then, was when we took the band aid off! Good luck to you!

Answer 7

She should be able to sit on your lap with no problem. You might explain the procedure thoroughly, or have the technician explain it to her. Don't lie to her or say that it won't hurt at all, but do explain that she will only feel a quick pinch. Make sure she knows that she can look away while the blood is being drawn. Don't make fun of her if she cries or gets upset, or because she is afraid. Emphasize that it is a very quick procedure, and doesn't feel like getting a "shot" at all.

Answer 8

I work with developmentally disabled adults. I have to take them into doctors all the time, and this is pretty common. Turn it into a positive experience. I turn every doctor visit into a party. I bake special doctor appointment cookies shaped like syringes. I even use red food coloring to make the icing red. I have let the nurses draw blood on me first to show that it isn't a big deal. I sing silly songs. I dress up in goofy clothes. I threaten to bop the doctors on the snoot if they can't get it right on the first try. Make sure to talk to the doctor before you say it in front of your son, just so the doctor doesn't freak out. First, try talking to him about it. You could dress your son up in a scary costume to scare to doctors. That may make him feel tough enough to do the test. At his age it's all about power. He wants to feel tough. Empower him to do it on his own without sitting on your lap, and he'll tolerate it that much better. Have him work on a lion's roar for when the needle goes into his arm. Have him practice blood draws on his toys. You may feel ridiculous. But, it is so much better to have him develop coping skills now than have an emergency without you and be tramatized because you weren't there later on. You can also ask for a sedation if he's really going to be totally freaked out. Some doctors won't give it, but if your explain the situation, he might give you something.

Answer 9

yes she can sit on your lap, and she should. make some special plans for after the test is over. go get ice cream or take her to a movie of her choice. talk to her about it beforehand and even though the test itself wont be fun you can make it a better experience for her by being there, holding her hand, maybe tell her a story or sing a little song in her ear while its happening. good luck!

Answer 10

Get them to use the smallest needle possible; It will hurt less. Distract her as well, and she probably could sit on your lap.

Answer 11

yes, she can sit on your lap. i remember taking my son when he was young and the lab tech made him a special wand out of tongue depressors, band aids and stickers.... it was very cute. have her bring her favorite stuffed animal and maybe a cold pack that she can put over the boo-boo.... other than that, go with bribery... an ice cream cone after or something to look forward to....