5 year old needs her bloods taken

[sashamichele]

Anyone got any tips on how I'm going to get a nervous 5 year old ( who btw thought she was brave yesterday getting a wart looked at by her gp) to go to the hospital to have her bloods taken 🙈 her nerves stem from when she had her pre school jab. How the bloody hell am I going to do this?!?

Big treat after for doing it. Try not to fuss too much, she'll feed off that energy, re assure her and make it no big deal. Maybe show her Dr Ranj on cbeebies - there's an episode on injections, that could be close enough. And remind her of it (sure he says how it's okay). Ask her if she wants to look or not. Some kids find it comforting to look, some the opposite. I think at that age it's about information, the more she knows about what's going on, the less scary it'll be because its more familiar. Maybe do some role play before with her too, take it in turns to take each others blood, use phrases that the doctor may use such as 'keep calm, little scratch, which arm etc) and praise her hugely each time.

Also maybe do a trip to hospital before hand, so she's familiar with it too, talk to some of the voluntary assistants and see if any of them will be there on that day who she can say hi to and look forward to seeing

My 3yr old dd had to have bloods (appreciate she was less aware), the gp gave me some numbing gel to put on 1hr before so by the time we got there it was effective.

Then we looked at a big book close to her face (like a shield) whilst the nurse took the blood.

Worked really well. Or is she's into science you could explain what blood is and how it works etc.

Talk her through what will happen. She will have EMLA cream on so she shouldn't feel it to much.

Thanks everyone. Yes we've got the numbing gel but I'm unsure when to put it on, it's just a walk in place where you take a ticket and wait for your turn. I've been known to sit there 10 minutes to 2 hours

Explain what's going on, be honest but don't make a big deal. My now 8yo needed bloods taken when he was 6, it wasn't pleasant but he did ok. He had seen me have blood tests a lot as I needed them fortnightly when I was pregnant with his younger brother and most of the time he was with me. I bought his tablet with me and lined up something for him to watch while bloods were taken. He said afterwards it hurt but wasn't as bad as thought it would be. First time they used a freezing spray which he hated so when they were repeated he opted for doing without the spray and was ok.

Emla cream from the chemist. My DS had his bloods done last year when he was 4 and I covered his elbows creases in the stuff.

Our hospital has a special time slot for children with childrens nurses so we didn't have to wait ages. My DH had him on his lap and the nurse gave me a book to hold in between his arm and face as some kind of distraction effort.

Book didn't work, wasn't very fun for any one involved and he got quite upset but it was over quickly and they use a teeny needle. He felt very sorry for himself after but a treat after and he got over it.

Good luck!

My daughter has bloods every 3 months, now 9 yo, has had this done since 4 years old. She still gets nervous after a couple of early bad experiences. Our routine is: numbing cream in the crook of both arms as if they can't find a vein one side they try the other, cover with non absorbent later - she is allergic to plasters so we use cling film. 50p size dollop on each side. One hour before. Then very calm and upbeat about everything, check in the waiting room that she can't feel anything. Take iPad and she likes to face away from the action and I get her to explain to me what she's watching. It's usually very fast, over and done with in a minute or so. We always arrive (all hospitals!!) about 10 mins before the opening time to beat the queue and minimise nerves building. Good luck! X

EMLA takes an hour to work but lasts five hours. Try and stop her squidging it out of the plaster. (Practically impossible, I know!)

My son recently had his bloods taken and I was so anxious, more than him. The nurses were really good with him. They never used the numbing gel tho. He went in and they had a 3D tv and they gave him the glasses so he was really distracted and barely noticed the needle going in. Hope things go smooth for you

Eyes on you. If she is feeling nervous, she keeps her eyes on you. Walking through the clinic, sitting in the chair, having the blood drawn. You keep eye contact and keep talking about stuff, school, dance, Barbies whatever. Big reward afterwards.

Under 6 years of age, our local hospital get the children's outpatient clinic to do it not the normal blood clinic tbh.

Elma cream the back of the hands too just in case. My DD gets bloods regularly and they cant get it out her arm

Thank you all. I've had a word with her and she seems ok about it, showed her the "magic cream" and that helped a lot lol.

My 5 year old had them taken recently (and quite a lot) for first time. EMLA worked a treat and he didn't even notice it being done. The finger prick test the week before though was a different story....

My 6 year old has this done a lot. Best way I've found is sit her on your lap with your left arm round her and her right arm dangling and out of sight. Bring someone with you to hold iPad or book or ask a nurse to do it. Blood gets taken while she is distracted.