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Original poster

Stressed about DS (6yrs) having bloods done at hospital

57 replies

Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:24

Please can anyone tell me if their young kids have had bloods taken at their hospital and how it went? I’m feeling stressed thinking about tomorrow when DS(6) is to have his bloods done at paediatrics.

I’m sure the team will be experienced but worried how he will cope as he has never had them done before.

Last time we were there to speak to doctor, we heard a kid screaming the house down behind a closed door and worried it may have been them trying to do her bloods 🙈

Doctor did mention they would give him some numbing cream and there would be a play therapist but still worried .

Please share your experiences if you don’t mind

OP posts:
Mrswalliams1 · 16/01/2022 17:35

My 6 year old had bloods done. Like you I was a bag of nerves. They put numbing cream on both hands. It worked a treat. The 15 Yr old girl before us was screaming the place down which made me more panicky but when it her turn she was so good and not a whimper. I'm sure it's worse for us parents...Good luck!

DaisyDreaming · 16/01/2022 17:36

Does he like blind bags or any other little tree at? A blind bag to hold with the promise he can open it as soon as it’s done can work well

LuckyWithMyLot · 16/01/2022 17:37

My son has his blood taken regularly. Request the numbing cream for sure. It means more waiting but it makes it nicer.
We also tell him he'll get a treat afterwards.
It's over really quickly and our phelobotomist has a TV playing a cartoon on while it's being done.

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Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:38

Mrswalliams1 Ah, thank you for sharing ,your reply has made me feel loads better already .

I know, I think he might be ok, as he had to have an epi shot in the leg late last year when he started reacting to something and we gave him the phone to play on, he didn’t react much until the end when he said that it hurted, so 🤞🏽it will be similar

OP posts:
DuckonaBike · 16/01/2022 17:39

My DD had a blood test at around that age. They put on numbing cream, and we had to go off and wait for it to work (about half an hour I think). Then they put something in between her line of sight and the arm, so she couldn’t see the needle, and one nurse showed her a book and talked to her while the other one took the blood, and she didn’t even notice.

I was in awe, they were amazing. So try not to worry; they are very good at their job!

Twonkers · 16/01/2022 17:40

We watched a CBeebies thing with that lovely Dr who did Strictly beforehand. I can’t remember the name, but my two year old was extraordinary calm about it.

I do understand that a six year old is different.

Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:41

DaisyDreaming He is most happy if he can play or watch something on one of our phones so we are taking it along, we will also take some of his favourite chocolate for afterwards.

OP posts:
ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 16/01/2022 17:41

If you can ask your GP for the numbing cream beforehand. It takes about an hour to work and you can put it on and cover it with clingfilm. Much better than the spray.

I would distract him with an iPad or a phone if he’s in a bed. Generally it’s over quickly and the staff are normally really good

Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:42

DuckonaBike

Thanks for your reply , that sounds wonderful! I hope his experience is the same 😅

OP posts:
AnnaSW1 · 16/01/2022 17:42

We always take the amazon fire and it's fine. Been doing it since she was 10 days old!

SummerHouse · 16/01/2022 17:42

Yes lots of experience... Make sure he is well hydrated. Make sure he goes in warm. Have a little run around in the car park or something. This will help ensure they get a good vein.

They will probably sit him on your knee and take his arm behind so he won't even see. You will hardly know it's happening and will be surprised it was so easy!!

Good luck and big treats for you both for after.

Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:44

Twonkers Thanks, is it Dr.Ranj? I might have a look if I can find that on YouTube. I have spoken a bit about it to him as I don’t won’t him to be completely unaware but I don’t also don’t want him to feel worried , fine line 😅

Thanks for sharing though, yes I think it was ok when they were very little babies and toddlers, for jabs, it was all over so quickly. I imagine this may take a bit longer and now he’s older he’s much more aware

OP posts:
Garman · 16/01/2022 17:45

6 year old ds had to have bloods taken a few months ago. There was no "team", it was just a nurse in the paeds ward. She numbed it, took the bloods while he sat on my lap and she chatted to him, then gave him a sticker and I bought him chocolate from the vending machine as promised, job done.

Bonbon21 · 16/01/2022 17:46

Dont transfer your anxiety to him. Discuss the tests in simple terms. Kids are much more resilient when they have the truth. Tell him about the magic cream and get him to describe what it feels like. Discuss the surroundings and the staff... get their names and ask them what they do. Involve him, demystify the whole event.
Fear of the unknown is the worst thing in the world.
Hospitals are good safe places.... people by and large get better and go home.

Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:46

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor

Thanks for your reply, and they did mention it will be a cream, as he has atopic eczema and they want to avoid spray incase he reacts. Anyway , I’m glad it sounds like it’s not too bad

OP posts:
Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:47

AnnaSW1 Thanks for your reply, that’s helpful and reassuring 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:49

SummerHouse

Ooh, some great tips, we will definitely do that, thanks !

Think I will need a big treat yes, must go off and find my big girl pants 😆

OP posts:
Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:50

Garman, that sounds very straight forward! Thanks for sharing 😌 I hope we have a quick and easy time too

OP posts:
Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:51

Bonbon21 Thanks for your response and yes , I am trying not to transfer any anxiety to him so telling him just in simple terms what will happen. He is probably much more brave than me 😅

I will try and do that, thanks!

OP posts:
stopringingme · 16/01/2022 17:54

My DD is not good at waiting, has various Disabilities, and we do not have the numbing cream, they have a spray they can spray on and it numbs the area straight away and they can take the blood.

She sits on my DH knee with her arm stretched out behind and under his and the nurse stands out of her eyeshot and takes the blood, I stand in front and they have a TV on and a box of toys she can look at and she does not feel it and only reacts when they put a plaster on - she does not like a plaster ! (this was before Covid so may be different now)

The Nurses in the Children's department are very good and will do everything to make it as painless as anything.

Bakewelltart987 · 16/01/2022 17:57

My dd6 has been for them a few times screams the place down every time I don't even think its because it hurts she just hates going doctors or hospitals for anything.

I just have to hold her tight and nurse does it as quickly as possible no amout of bribing her has worked altho she does always get to pick something usually a magazine.

Original poster
Zestlemondosoap · 16/01/2022 17:59

stopringingme

Thanks for sharing your experience in detail, that helps 😊 he is generally good at waiting if there’s something he can play or do like an activity book or something similar so will take those along. For complete distraction, I think the tv or phone will work best so will try and use one of those.

I’m pretty sure that the paediatrics team/ nurse have seen it all, and are experts at dealing with children , I suppose it’s a worry since it’s the first time he’s having it done, hopefully it will go well 🤞🏽

OP posts:
stopringingme · 16/01/2022 18:00

Dr Ranj - Get Well Soon on BBC I Player
The nearest one to show the numbing cream is the Cannula one (Hospital Series 2)

stopringingme · 16/01/2022 18:03

If it is like the Paediatrics department we go to the waiting room is like a toy shop - loads of things to do and also books to read.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 16/01/2022 18:06

Make sure he's nice and warm, if his arm/hands are chilly the veins are a little harder to find.