Help! blood draw & a 12 month old ** Updated** Thanks for the support.

Poor DS has been sick for 4 days. We went back to the ped yesterday who said wait it out one more night and then take him for labs in the morning if he's not better.

Any tips for getting through this traumatic experience? I am sick just thinking about it

Message edited 6/24/2009 9:40:53 AM.

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

In my experience it is a finger prick and once it is over they forget about it, I would bring a lollipop (dum dum) to distract maybe or their favorite snack/toy.

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

Make sure they are using an infant butterfly needle. It is specifically designed for their smaller veins.

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

If it's an actual blood draw I do feel for you My son at 12 months had a bad experience but the second time was a breeze (different place) I did a lot of research and made sure the lab tech was comfortable drawing from a baby.

I would ask you doctor on top of the blood draw he has requested is there anything else he wants checked because I know alot of peds at 12 months prescribe blood being drawn to check for anemia, lead in the blood and other things. My peds office does this at 12 months and 2 years. Just saying you might want to do both in one shot!

I prepared myself with bringing my mom, lollipops, and some new car/truck toys. My mom held him in the chair while I made happy faces. There were two lab techs that helped draw the blood. One held his arm down where at the other place I was holding his arm down (so hard!!) and the other drew the blood in seconds thank god!! The other place couldn't even find a vein and tried anyway I should have walked out when he had a hard time feeling where the vein was. Also it will be an annoying question to them to ask but who cares make sure they use a butterfly needle the ones used for babies. I'm sure they will but just ask anyway.

Good Luck!

Message edited 6/24/2009 7:40:09 AM.

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

I took DD for her 12 month blood work and it was an absolute breeze. I would suggest you go to a hospital with a lab, as opposed to someplace like Quest. I felt like the hospital really knew how to handle a toddler. The entire thing was over in under a minute.

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

You know, I was prepared for a nightmare experience, but DS has had blood drawn a couple times, and both times he was absolutely fine. He flirted with the lab tech (who was great with him), and seemed interested in the apparatus.

Just saying, it may not be as terrible as you are expecting. Every kid reacts differently to this.

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

We had a nightmare experience when we went b/c there was only 1 tech (the other was on lunch) after she failed the first try she suggested we wait for the 2nd lab tech.

Its def a 3 person job - you, and 2 lab techs b/c the baby will be squirming.

Def call ahead and make sure they have someone on staff who has experience drawing blood from babies.

ALso, I read an article in Parents magazine about numbing agents you can use to prevent the baby from feeling pain during procedures like blood draws. there were several suggestions.

good luck

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

my dd had to have blood work (she was about 22 months at the time)

I thought it was a finger prick but it was not, it was a regular blood draw.

She actually did really well, when the lady put the wrap on her arm, she kept saying "I don't like that" but she actually stayed very still and thew nurse only took one vial of blood...she did cry, but was not hysterical and was FINE afterwards....I, on the other hand, almost had a panic attack

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old

Thanks everyone. I did take DS to the hospital this morning and went to their lab. The two techs looked nervous when we walked in and while they were finger-proddng his veins and saying, "you wanna try that one? Looks teeny" I asked where was the tech that I had talked to on the phone who claimed she was the "baby lady".
They both said, "She's on her break". I told them I'd wait for her and I'm so glad we did.

She was so sweet and gentle. She got his vein on the first try. I think DS was more angry at the fact that I was holding him tightly on my lap and the tourniquet was pinching. He's now peacefully napping - totally unphased by the whole experience.

Just glad the whole experience is over. Now I'm anxious to get the results because I want to know if he's really sick or if it's "just a virus".

Re: Help! blood draw & a 12 month old ** Updated** Thanks for the support.

We had a blood draw, from the arm, not a finger prick with DS and it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. He was more bothered by being held down then the needle. I hope it goes well and quickly!