Blood Draw

A blood draw is the procedure used to obtain a sample of blood from your child for testing. Blood tests are important since they help doctors and other healthcare providers understand your child’s health. The results of these tests will help your doctor recommend the right care or treatment for your child.

Sometimes it is important that your child not eat or drink for a certain period of time before the blood draw. Your healthcare provider will provide specific instructions. You can encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids the day before to help make the blood draw more successful.

Parents are Key to Success

Whether you visit the Outpatient Lab at Strong or any lab locations, we know that a blood draw can be scary for your child and challenging for you as you try to prepare them. Regardless of your child's age, your support and presence are essential. Here are some things that you can do to help your child:

• Be patient, reassuring, and aware of your child's emotions. Your understanding and preparation efforts will have a big impact on your child's experience.
• Stay with your child (as long as you are comfortable doing so) during the blood draw, holding your child on your lap or holding their hand during the procedure.
• Offer choices when choice is possible since it can give a child of any age a sense of control over the situation. For example, let them choose which arm they would like the phlebotomist (person doing the blood draw) to look at first, or ask if they want to watch the blood draw or look at something else.
• Encourage your child to bring a comfort item—a blanket, a stuffed animal, or a fidget toy.
• Use distraction (concentrating on something else – book, pictures, toy, etc.) during the blood draw to help lessen anxiety. Deep breathing, counting, or storytelling may also help anxiety.

Bring insurance information, identification, and any necessary paperwork.

Although the blood draw itself usually takes just a few minutes, it is helpful to allow extra time for registration, preparation, and any potential waiting periods.

Age Specific Tips

Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5 years)

• Use Simple Language: Explain the procedure in simple and honest terms. Tell them that their doctor needs to look at a small amount of their blood, and that the phlebotomist will choose a spot on their arm or hand. Mention that it might feel like a quick pinch, but it will be over quickly.
• Play Pretend: Use play or dolls to act out the process, showing what will happen during the blood draw. This can help explain the experience.
• Show and Tell: Use our picture guide to talk your child through the steps and show them what the environment looks like.

School-Age Children (Ages 6-12)

• Explain the Why: Explain why the blood draw is necessary. Mention that it helps doctors learn more about their health to make sure they're okay.
• Answer Questions: Encourage your child to ask questions. Provide honest answers. Do not tell them it will only be one poke since sometimes it may require more than one to get all the blood necessary, or that it won’t hurt. You can tell them that the phlebotomist will try their best to do the blood draw quickly, and there are things that can be done to help with the feeling including using Buzzy, or a special ‘lotion’ (numbing cream) (applied at home prior to visit).
• Distraction Techniques: Suggest distraction techniques like reading a book, playing a game on a device, or engaging in conversation.
• Deep Breathing: Teach your child deep breathing exercises to help them relax before and during the blood draw. Practice together beforehand.

Adolescents (Ages 13-18)

• Discuss the Process: Have an open conversation about the blood draw. Explain the steps involved, how long it will take, and what sensations they might experience.
• Respect Independence: Adolescents may want more control. Let them decide whether they want you present during the procedure or if they'd prefer to go back on their own.
• Provide Information: Offer information about the importance of the blood draw and how it will contribute to their health or diagnosis.
• Mindfulness Techniques: Introduce mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help them manage anxiety.

Minimizing Discomfort

Your child might experience mild discomfort with a blood draw, often described as a quick pinch. Here are several things to help minimize pain and make the process go smoothly.

• Numbing Cream (4% Lidocaine)
  Numbing cream placed on the skin ahead of time usually decreases pain from needle sticks significantly.  It can be obtained without needing a prescription at most pharmacies and can be applied at home before bringing your child in for their blood draw. Learn more about how to use Lidocaine cream to help with pain.
• Buzzy
  Buzzy is a small vibrating device that is placed on your child’s skin next to where the blood draw will occur. Buzzy helps by focusing the child’s attention on the feeling of the vibration, and it also lessens the feeling of the blood draw. Ask if Buzzy is available at your lab as it is not available at all locations.

After the Blood Draw

• After the procedure, your child might experience minor bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the site of the blood draw. These symptoms are usually temporary and can be relieved with a cool compress.
• Your child can generally resume regular activities as directed by the healthcare provider.
• Offering praise for your child’s courage and/or cooperation can help create a positive experience. Try to identify something your child did well, praise it, and they are more likely to do it again next time.
• If you have any questions or concerns before or after the blood draw, please contact your child's healthcare provider.