Toddler Blood Tests

Make sure you call them up in advance and ask them if they have butterfly needles. I would NOT use their services if they don't use them. If they don't have them, ask the doctor to find you a place that DOES, and then make sure the lab is covered by your insurance. You have time to do this and it's important that you make sure you've covered by the insurance wherever you end up going.

The butterfly needles are so much easier on children, really and truly. It will help prevent crying jags and fear everytime she goes to the doctor. You also want to hydrate her very well so that they can get a successful "stick" the first time. Lots of liquids the night before - don't worry about her wetting the bed. Lots of liquids in the morning before going in for the blood test.

Make sure you are in there with her and tell her to look at you. When I have blood drawn, I actually tap my leg with my other hand, hard. That takes some of my attention away from where the needle is sticking. Maybe you can have your daughter do that, if she is able to without jerking her arm. I always told my kids that relaxing is the magic trick for anything involving needles. I would hold them and say "relax, relax, relax" gently. They actually asked me to hold them until they were very big, LOL! For bloodwork, I was right there with them too, talking them through it and trying to get them to pay attention to me instead of their arm.

I didn't give anything after it was over, but others might have some ideas about that.

Good luck!

A., I am so sorry that your daughter has to go through this. Both of my children have had countless blood draws because of their medical condition and I will say this - it WILL get easier. My daughter was 19 months when we first had to start doing some very difficult lab visits. It was traumatic, but she got through it beautifully - and we didn't even have to continue with stickers and suckers. :) Just lots of cuddles and praise. If a blood draw was particularly traumatic, we would go to Target and let them pick out something small. The dollar aisle right as you walk into Target is always fun for them.

It's so sad that kiddos have to become adept at invasive procedures, but it amazes me that such little people can be so strong.
Hugs!

My kids have never had a problem with getting blood drawn but they were school age when they have had it done.

My oldest daughter had to go about every month or so for about 1 year when she was 10 yo. She was such a champ but after so many blood draws in her vein, in her preferred arm, it became painful. I recommend you switch arms to keep the veins healthy. Also, keeping hydrated is also very important so blood flows more freely. I also always requested the same phlebotomist who was great with my daughter. (Initially, I ask for someone who was great with kids and very experienced.). Also, always use the smallest needles but the phlebotomist will know this.
Best of luck.

I suggest that if you're relaxed and unconcerned that your toddler will be more relaxed and able to tolerate blood draws. When you're trying hard to make this easy for her she will pick up on your tension and the blood draws will be more difficult.

My 5 year old just had her first blood draw last month. She is a tough girl-but i was so worried. I worried about her wiggling, the person drawing the blood, etc. Anyhow-we went online to Quest Diagnostics. They had a little activity book to print off and read about the visit. We read that over a few times. We practiced "drawing blood" on the stuff animals-using a hankerchief as the turnakit (sp?) and pretending on eatch other. We did this all just the night before. Next day she was nervous-but i just acted like it was something normal she had to do-no big deal. Of course i felt like i was going to puke....lol....
She sat on my lap-and she did great. I distracted her with my phone-a game on it (littlest pet shop game-free). And above all i just wrote-i was praying like crazy! God is good and it was over quickly.