DD 5yrs - blood test tomorrow! Yikes!

[loobyloo456]

Hi there, my DD 5yrs is having a blood test tomorrow at the doctors for anemia. Does anyone have any tips on the best way of supporting her when she's having it done? I already have treats up my sleeve but how will they do it? How long will it take! Any advice greatly appreciated! I'm stressing! X X

my 6 year old had blood tests at the weekend. The doctor gave us "magic cream" which made it numb. She was so brave, and I just read her a book while they did tests. I would suggest you call GPs first and ask for cream and also check they have "baby needles" as we booked ours at GP, only to find they couldnt do it as they dont have small enough needles. HTH

You can buy the cream over the counter at boots, it's called Amitop, pop it on for 40 mins before the appointment, cover it with something that won't absorb it and wipe it off before you go in. It works for about 4 hours. The skin does sometimes go red so keep an eye on it and wipe it off if it becomes red and inflammed.
It won't take very long, a few minutes. They will tell you how to hold her.
It's a shame you are not in Derby, the GP's have to send all children to the childrens hospital to have blood tests, it's fun for them and they have the cream or a cold spray.

Or rather you used to be able to buy it over the counter, I don't know if you still can so it's best to check.

Okay not all will agree with this.. but this is where i pull out the lollipop bribe/distraction. a small selection of different colours to choose from.. huge treat for the dc's as they never get lollipops

Good idea. Anything that works IME.

wrap cling film over the cream works well for us

DD has had many blood tests and I find the spray works just as well as the cream and the pain with the cream is you need to wait 1/2hr for it to work.

Thank you everyone for you help! I will ring doctors in morning to double check re creams etc. Bribery/treats will be on hand along with her teddy and a book! Main problem will be stubborness i think!

I rang docs, they should have prescribed the cream but hadn't! Good job i asked, thanks Mumsneter's! My DD was so brave, she cried bless her , but it was done in a min, got all her treats and the nurse was lovely. Fingers crossed that she isn't anemic now.