3 year old blood tests

[NoGruffaloShould]

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of taking a 3 year old for blood tests? My daughter is due to go on Tuesday to have thyroid checked, and it’s fairly likely they’ll take bloods although small chance they might decide not to. I want to know how best to prepare her, does anyone know where they’re likely to take blood from in a child that age and whether it’s likely just once or a couple of injections? Thanks so much.

My son had bloods for thyroid recently, he's 2.5.
They took it from the inside of his elbow.. I won't lie to you. It was horrendous but my son had no understanding and is extremely shy, he won't stand on the scales to be weighed or have his height done so I knew it would be bad.

They offer you a numbing cream which you put on and wait 30 mins. It goes under one of those big clear plasters, I declined the cream as he wouldn't sit with a plaster on and that alone distresses him. So I decided to just go with it, I had to hold him in a bear hug with his arm round my back, another nurse pinned his arm back and they put in the needle and filled several vials of blood. Only one needle in the skin though.

There was a play specialist who attempted to distract him, but he was way to distressed, imagine it works well for some kids though.

We had his bloods done at 11am. At 7.30pm I got a call asking me to go straight to a&e as there was an issue with his potassium levels, a quick google gave some awful reasons for this alongside the need to go in immediately I thought the worst! 2 more lots of bloods in a&e as equally distressing as the first but I didn't find out until the last test that it's very common for children to give false high potassium readings due to the trauma of taking the blood. In a panicked state the blood releases potassium which causes the high readings, 3rd test was normal and so there was nothing wrong. Really wish I'd know that before hand as it could if saved me so much upset thinking something was wrong.

Maybe do some role play before hand? Get something thin but obviously not sharp and show her how it's done, and say this is how the doctor will do it, let her do it to you etc. We took his favourite toy and the doctor examined the toy before she done him and that really helped him but didn't help with the bloods at all.

If your child will have the numbing cream and will interact with the play specialist then I imagine it's quite simple and easy.

I know it isn't a positive example, but just wanted you to feel prepared for the worse case. As soon as it was done he had a big hug and kiss, chocolate bar and a new sticker book and skipped out the hospital happily.

We’ve had a child have LOTS of bloods.
Hydrate.
Emla numbing cream or similar.
If you have a stress ball or similar then squeezing it just before seems to bring veins up.
Take a bloody huge book. Child sits on your lap with bloody huge book open. Read it or look at pics.
Blood taker asks to hold hand hidden from view and gets bloods done.
We also had bubbles as a distraction. Took bath toys that you squeeze and tongue pops out. Use toys to pop bubbles as a distraction.
All at a specialist children’s hospital. They were bloody awesome.

Thank you both so much this is so helpful! @rainbowrainfall really glad your DS was ok in the end and @Wolfiefan hope your wee one is too. Much appreciated from both- we spoke about it last night and have done a wee role play she enjoyed and chatted about what nice things we’ll do after (within lockdown so a drive thru treat!) she’s always got a lot of questions so has been asking away and it’s great to have some good knowledge, thank you!

@NoGruffaloShould how lovely of you to think of him. He’s now 17, towering over me and planning uni! Absolutely hale and hearty!!
Wishing you the best. Distraction is a good plan and bribery too! Good luck.

They did it from my 4 year olds hand. She hated it and screamed. But she got over it pretty quick!

Our DS had his done at about 3 years old. We role played before hand, they give you numbing cream for the inside of their elbow. The nurse was great, although she was very frustrated as the cream prescribed also makes veins disappear, so she kept trying but couldn't get a vein, I had to tell her to stop after about 8 attempts on my sons arm

She told me to request a specific numbing cream and that she simply can't understand why doctors prescribe the original cream. I passed this on to the receptionist at the GP.

We returned a week later with different numbing cream and it was fine first time, they use a book to put in between the child's face and arm, so they can't see what happening.

Keep them nice & warm, woolly or fleece jumper over the top until it's time & lots of tap water to drink beforehand. This will help them find the veins easier. We use cold spray more than cream as it works almost instantly,& our procedure is the play therapist distracts with a where's Wally type book, child is on mums lap, another member of staff holds the child's arm in the correct position & the nurse then takes the blood. Usually from the crook of the elbow but she will also use the back of their hands or some of the foot in some children. It looks a lot worse than it is & the child goes home with a certificate & small prize from the box.

My daughter had them as a baby (very tricky she would not stay still!) and as 4 year old. As a 4 year old we explained the the procedure and said it wouldn't hurt as they'd numb the area first. They used a bit of cream to numb her and took it from the arm like an adult. She was fine about it. It will only be one needle even if they need multiple samples. Make sure she's well hydrated so they can find a vein easily.