Toddler blood test - any experience?

[AllyRose10]

DD (aged 2 and a bit) is due to do a blood test at hospital tomorrow, having been referred by the GP. Does anyone know how the process works, and how we will get the results? Thank you!

I hope your child is ok
It could go 2 ways, DD was horrific and despite me and 2 nurses trying to pin her down she never got the blood test.
DS couldn't have cared less
The staff are very good with small children in general and may offer a numbing cream and plenty of distractions but even so some DC cooperate better than others
The results usually go to whoever ordered the tests, so GP or Consultant and then you will either get an appointment to discuss or an email or phone call to say no further action.

My son had a few and it wasn't the easiest thing, but was OK. One of the nurses told me to have him drink extra water the day before and the day of to make it easier.

Get some numbing cream over the counter. It needs to be applies an hour before the blood test. On each back of hand and each inner arm. I covered my DC’s cream with cling film to keep it there. I also bought them a new toy to have after the test as a reward!

Thank you all for the advice. Hopefully we get an all clear quickly.

They have a numbing spray, or the cream takes an hour. Try to get them to drink lots beforehand.

i did tv programme on loud on my phone and fully in their face as a distraction. Worked fairly well. They might have a tv.

generally they sit on your lap and you have to hold them. They will probably also have someone else.

there will likely be a sticker or certificate! Take a treat for after.

the nurses will likely be lovely!!

The hospital should have numbing cream to provide you if you ask. You need to go super early for this though because it takes something like 30-45 minutes to take effect.

My children have both had blood tests as toddlers and they were both a bit upset even though it was painless with the numbing cream. Absolutely no way would I put them through it without the cream, it's unnecessary suffering.

My experience though is that staff never offer or suggest the cream, they just begrudgingly provide when you ask. But as I say you need to go extra early to have time for it to be applied and work first.

This! We were told by the hospital that no worry as they would numb her (she was 12 months old and they took it from her hand) .. they didn’t numb her and it was horrific for her. 100% numb your dc but do all of the backs of both hands and a large area of the inside crease of the arm and cover with clingfilm. Leave it on for an hour (taking it off as you go in the room).

they do advise against numbing cream because it can make you bleed more but it’s a small price to pay for a pleasant experience imo

We were prescribed numbing cream by the GP to used beforehand. In the appointment they sat dd on my knee and gave us a book to read. They tucked the hand they were going to draw blood from behind my back so neither of us could see it. They then sprayed the back of her hand with a freeze spray and took her blood. She didn't even know she had had it done. They were fantastic. DD had low iron which our GP fedback to us.

Thanks, we have a cream which was prescribed by the GP - will definitely apply early, generously and in all 4 spots! I have asked DH to take DD as I can’t face it myself, which does not make me feel like the best mum but it is better for DD that someone stronger does it. It does not help that we are very worried about what the test results could show, but hopefully it will be nothing.

I was going to suggest perhaps her dad could come along as kids are surprisingly strong when it comes to blood tests! My son has had bloods and cannulas done over the last few months and my husband had to hold him as still as possible - I wouldn't have had the physical strength. I also would get upset which wasn't helpful to anyone in the situation, so it's good your DH can attend

Numbing cream definitely helps. You can also buy special dressing over the counter to cover it, they go in different sizes so just say what it’s for, it’s not very expensive.
DD had blood test at that age and they used the back of her hand.
Put on quick and easy clothes
and take her drink and snack, we were waiting for quite a while on the ward.
It will be ok, the main thing is to stay calm and rational - it needs to be done.
DH and I always went together. DH was holding a toy and I was holding DD - as a cruel one plus I felt that she was better with me, I was her “go to comforter” at this age.
Hope you’ll get good results.

Chocolate buttons really helped with my girl at that age. She opened her mouth to yell - I shoved the chocolate in 🙂
(it's not a nice experience for either of you but it's usually over quickly 💐)

We did this last week with my son. He's 3 and a half. We put EMLA cream on his inner arms and covered an hour before, then distracted him with a teddy. He did not even flinch. The ladies who did it were amazing. I was definitely expecting it to have been much worse. He had his test on Tuesday and I had the results on Friday. Good luck.

My granddaughter has had blood tests and has been surprisingly ok .
Our local hospital use a numbing spray that works instantly ma play specialist who distracts and then they get a toy afterwards!

My 2 year old twins have had multiple blood tests each over the past 6 months. The hospital are always amazed that I turn up on my own with both to have a blood test. But they have always been excellent during the test and waiting whilst the other twin is having their test.

1 of them had a blood test yesterday and the nurses were having all this prep to distract her- got a play therapist into the room to distract. I told them she would be fine and she literally didn't move.

My tips-

• Apply the cream on back of both hands and elbow crease of both arms 45-60 mins before the appointment. Then cover with cling film and sellotape the cling film on. I then put a sticker on top of each of them. Which we call the magic cream stickers.
• Make sure they drink lots for the next hour.
• I download something on my phone ready for the appointment.
• There will be 2 x nurse/phlebotomist for the appointment. They will take off the cling film/cream. Then use a light to find the most suitable vein. Whilst they are doing this I put something on my phone and find somewhere to prop it up in the room
• When they decide which arm to take the blood from sit your child across your lap with the arm they are not taking blood from wrapped behind your back. Place their legs between your legs (so you can stop them from kicking). Then hold their head into your chest with the phone in view to watch (to stop them looking at what's happening).
• It generally takes 1-2 mins. Although I've had twice when they couldn't find a vein (they were dehydrated) but I agreed for them to try anyway and this took much much longer... so make sure well hydrated.