taking a toddler in for bloodwork

[nabum]

I have to take my 14 month old in on Friday for bloodwork. I'm hoping that the lab has experience with dealing with toddlers, but does anyone on here have any suggestions for how to keep him still, calm, etc while they take his blood?

[Deleted]

We had a terrible experience in Europe -- however my friend who works at a Children's hospital in the US said that it's customary to put on a potent numbing cream so that the child does not feel the needle go in -- I might call ahead to ask what their procedure is... if they don't do this I would give some tylenol before hand.

I would also bring a fun bandaid for him to have afterwards. Good thing is at 14 mo he won't remember it!

[CloudBee]

EMLA Cream is what they use. Call in advance, as it typically needs to be applied about 30-60 minutes before blood is drawn. If your local pedi has it in their office, they may let you drop by for a quick application.

[nabum]

thank you! I'll call the lab today to check and see what they do.

[mswax]

Do they need a lot of blood? If not, they can usually do the finget prick and suck vs. using a needle. That's often easier for the little ones since they don't need to stay so still.

[nabum]

Unfortunately we are stuck with a lab for this draw. The lab doesn't use any cream, but they claim that they are experienced with toddlers (I'm skeptical). I'm checking with my pedi office to see if they can get him the EMLA cream. :/

[karinothing]

Cloudbee thanks so much for that info regarding the numbing agent. I have been very conflicted about getting DS blood work for allergies but if they can apply numbing cream I would feel a lot better

[nabum]

Nov 14, 2012 11:37:58 GMT -5 mswax said:

Do they need a lot of blood? If not, they can usually do the finget prick and suck vs. using a needle. That's often easier for the little ones since they don't need to stay so still.

I think so. They're running a full panel + some specific tests.

[CloudBee]

This may sound extreme, but your pedi could probably call in a prescription for the cream so you can apply it yourself.

[nabum]

Nov 14, 2012 11:52:52 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

This may sound extreme, but your pedi could probably call in a prescription for the cream so you can apply it yourself.

I think I'm going to do this today. Thank you!

[mmmomof2]

I took DD1 in when she was around a year because we lived in a house built in 1922 and I wanted to confirm her lead levels were normal (they were). I don't remember it being too traumatic. She sat in my lap and they used a numbing cream.

[Cheerio]

When DS needed bloodwork (also at 14-months-old), they had a specific way they wanted us to hold him to keep him still. He screamed and cried and fought, but he recovered very quickly afterwards. It's hard at that age because you can't really explain it to them.

Hope everything turns out okay.

[Willis Jackson]

We just went last week to get a blood draw for DD (14mo). I just held her as still as I could, but they also had another person come and hold her arm still while I held her body. This was at a children's hospital. They didn't use a numbing cream.

[drloretta]

DD went in at 11 months and I was a wreck. But they brought in 2 phlebotomists in case they needed help getting the needle in, and she sat on my lap. Turned out I was a wreck for nothing. She looked at them while they did the whole thing like it was the coolest thing ever, and didn't make a peep. Being on my lap turned out to be key I think. She didn't cry for shots at that age as long as she was being held.

We did it again at her 2 year appt and she cried, but it was quick and she loved the bandage she got afterward. Plus I think she got a sticker. The phlebotomist was a pro with kids, she was really great.

[starlily]

Nov 14, 2012 11:39:51 GMT -5 nabum said:

Unfortunately we are stuck with a lab for this draw. The lab doesn't use any cream, but they claim that they are experienced with toddlers (I'm skeptical). I'm checking with my pedi office to see if they can get him the EMLA cream. :/

When J had to get a blood draw at her last checkup (at Kaiser) we were directed to a different portion of the lab where they had two dedicated techs to handle toddlers. They took three vials, pretty quickly. I just held her on my lap & gave her some Tylenol afterwards.

[frlcb]

My dd has had blood drawn more than once at a pediatric hematologist at a Childrens Hospital in Atlanta for a blood disorder she may have and they have never used a numbing cream. They usually have two people doing it, one to help me hold her and one to do it. I won't lie, it totally sucks.

[fortmyersbride]

Distraction is the key at that age. Hold her in your lap and bring some toys or snacks. I wouldn't mess with the emla. Honestly for that age it's often having to hold still and the tightness of the tourniquet that bother them more. And I would be a bit worried about a pedi that would give you emla for home use as it can cause methemeglobinemia in large doses. I would not be comfortable giving it to a lay person to use on a small child.

[jena]

DS was 2, and honestly it was pretty bad. I was wrapped around him like an octopus trying to keep him still and he screamed his head off while his sister cried along with him. By the end we were both crying and the phlebotomist gave me a hug when we left.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using proboards

[Deleted]

We had to go to Children's hospital once for one & another was at a specialty hospital (National Jewish). & they did numbing cream & have experience in it. It took me plus 2 others.

[knitty]

Nov 14, 2012 11:26:17 GMT -5 @chloe77 said:

Go to a children's hospital if there is one nearby. The difference in ability to deal with kids and equipment for little people is huge.

This.

[GailGoldie]

i have had to bring all 3 of mine in at various times in the past 5 years.... I just have the child on my lap - my arms wrapped around him- and the nurse holds one arm down and does it. they scream - and it's over in about 5 seconds and everyone is fine.

[sewpinkgal]

Nov 14, 2012 11:52:52 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

This may sound extreme, but your pedi could probably call in a prescription for the cream so you can apply it yourself.

This is actually what my pedi does for all vaccines. We've stopped using it now as J is pretty good with needles, but it's pretty easy to put on - you should use tegederm over it though to make sure it stays on/sinks in. Email me if you want more specifics.

[fortmyersbride]

Nov 14, 2012 17:23:42 GMT -5 sewpinkgal said:

Nov 14, 2012 11:52:52 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

This may sound extreme, but your pedi could probably call in a prescription for the cream so you can apply it yourself.

This is actually what my pedi does for all vaccines. We've stopped using it now as J is pretty good with needles, but it's pretty easy to put on - you should use tegederm over it though to make sure it stays on/sinks in. Email me if you want more specifics.

I still find it concerning that emla is being given for application outside of the clinical setting, sorry.

EMLA also causes vasoconstriction, which can make the veins harder to find and cannulate. I would consider this a necessary evil in kids with chronic illness who are getting repeated pokes. I would not however want to increase the odds of an outpatient phlebotomist missing on the first stick on a kid who only needs one blood draw. Kids tend to be much more bothered by the tourniquet than the actual stick, and the cream won't help with that.

[GailGoldie]

Nov 14, 2012 19:41:48 GMT -5 fortmyersbride said:

Nov 14, 2012 17:23:42 GMT -5 sewpinkgal said:

This is actually what my pedi does for all vaccines. We've stopped using it now as J is pretty good with needles, but it's pretty easy to put on - you should use tegederm over it though to make sure it stays on/sinks in. Email me if you want more specifics.

I still find it concerning that emla is being given for application outside of the clinical setting, sorry.

EMLA also causes vasoconstriction, which can make the veins harder to find and cannulate. I would consider this a necessary evil in kids with chronic illness who are getting repeated pokes. I would not however want to increase the odds of an outpatient phlebotomist missing on the first stick on a kid who only needs one blood draw. Kids tend to be much more bothered by the tourniquet than the actual stick, and the cream won't help with that.

I agree. I would never use this for the average child getting a vaccine or blood draw now and then. Sure- your child will cry- but it's over in seconds.

i have a friend who's child has MITO and they use this b/c he is constantly having needles put into him.... but for a vaccine? That to me is just insane over use.

hell, my 3yo twins and 5yo just got flu shots... one of the 3yos didn't even cry - AT ALL. And the other who cried? Done once it was over- then happily running out to get a sticker.

[Deleted]

Nov 14, 2012 19:41:48 GMT -5 fortmyersbride said:

Nov 14, 2012 17:23:42 GMT -5 sewpinkgal said:

This is actually what my pedi does for all vaccines. We've stopped using it now as J is pretty good with needles, but it's pretty easy to put on - you should use tegederm over it though to make sure it stays on/sinks in. Email me if you want more specifics.

I still find it concerning that emla is being given for application outside of the clinical setting, sorry.

EMLA also causes vasoconstriction, which can make the veins harder to find and cannulate. I would consider this a necessary evil in kids with chronic illness who are getting repeated pokes. I would not however want to increase the odds of an outpatient phlebotomist missing on the first stick on a kid who only needs one blood draw. Kids tend to be much more bothered by the tourniquet than the actual stick, and the cream won't help with that.

Agreed. That sounds ridiculous to me. During my derm rotation in residency the attending told me they never recommend it for home application anymore because of cases where people died from the complications of applying it improperly.

[statlerwaldorf]

DD had a positive on a lead screening at her one year check up, so we had to take her to a lab for a more accurate result. I took her to a lab that was located in the same building as her pediatrician. It sucked, but it was pretty quick. She was pissed off about being held down, but she didn't seem to be in a lot of pain.

[sewpinkgal]

Whoa y'all. Let me be clear that I wasn't in there requesting emla cream - it was suggested by my doctor that it can make vaccines less traumatic for the infants. So yeah, as a new mom, I did what was suggested. The nurse showed me how to apply it and I did per instructions.

And as I said, we don't use it anymore - I forgot to put it on one appt, he was fine and I've skipped it ever since.

I totally get where those of you that are from a medical background are finding fault with this, but let's not pile on the mom that is just following physician suggestion.

[vanillacourage]

DS got blood drawn at 1 year and it was NBD. I bought a shiny new toy that I gave to him as they were getting ready, I held his arm and then swept him up in a hug the moment they were done. He gave a shocked cry but then got distracted by continuing to play with the toy.

Yes, it could be awful, but maybe it won't. I really believe that kids pick up on their parents' tension, so go in hoping for the best (but armed with some tricks up your sleeve).

[suburbanzookeeper]

I have half-joked with DH if I have GD with this pregnancy and have to go in insulin I am getting one of these: buzzy4shots.com/. It would have been super useful today for DD for her blood draw and flu shot, she kept crying she needed ice.