How do they draw blood from a young child?

[coldwater1]

I have to take my 3 year old to the hospital to have his bloods taken on Thursday. How do they get a child to sit and keep still while its done? Its going to be traumatic isn't it?!

[5madthings]

When ds3 had his done they used emula? Emla? Cream to numb the area and then did it. They should be used to taking blood from children. I helped hold ds3 Stoll but actually he surprised me and was very good. The worst bit was removing the tape they had put over the numbing cream, they had put it in several places to be sure of getting a vein.

Try to stay as calm as you can and don't make it out yo be a big deal, sweets and something to watch on a phone or tablet is s good distraction, good luck :)

[TheLostPelvicFloorOfPoosh]

When my DS had a blood test a couple of years ago, he was sitting on my lap with one arm behind me (from which the blood was taken) and another nurse in front of us playing a game with him as a distraction. Ooh, and they came out to the waiting room a while beforehand and put some anaesthetic cream on his arm to numb it - he didn't feel anything and barely noticed the whole procedure.

I hope everything goes well for you and your DS

[GoogleyEyes]

They put numbing cream in under a bandage, then come back 20 minutes later and get you to hold the child while they put the needle in. If you're lucky, the nurse may distract them while the doctor takes the blood, but I found some toy cars and bubbles were handy, too.

[coldwater1]

Thank you all so much. Once Thursday is over it'll be the horrible wait for the results.

[Sleepwhenidie]

Its not fun but if you are in the children's bit then they are usually very good at having someone distracting the child while someone else takes the blood. DS2 has had lots of tests done and they usually take it from the back of his hand as his veins are better there than in his little arm - get the anaesthetic cream as pp said, but it takes 30 minutes to take effect so ask as soon as you check in for your appointment.