Blood draw tricks

[Momto2girls]

Hi! In an effort not to hijack Farmgirl's thread, I saw that you all were talking about some products that help with blood draws? A buzzy bee? And a numbing cream maybe?

I think we're going to have to take more blood tomorrow -- and I am wondering if there is anywhere to get something like the buzzy bee locally? Or can something similar work, too? And is there a numbing cream? Or any other distraction tactics?

 

[Farmwife]

Great Idea.
My childhood nurse used just plain ice. My mom at the hospital when she would take us would ask for ice chips. Numb the spot. For a minute or two. It worked.


Farmwife

 

[crohnsinct]

I don't know about the bee thing and all my girls have always been very good with needles etc. We did start using the counting trick when they were little and it worked like a charm. The nurse actually told them to count really loud and shout...looking away...the needle always went in before they even realized.

As for the cream, I think they are referring to a Lidocaine Cream and Prilocaine Cream (EMLA?). Here in the states, I believe it is available prescription only. That said, our doc prescribed it without even asking if I thought we needed it so it might be easy to get a script.

Good Luck!

 

[Momto2girls]

OK good to know -- weird that our supposedly leading Children's Hospital does NADA. OK, I am thinking about it this time so hopefully I can take ice -- and maybe something super distracting? I am sure she'll be fine -- she really is a trooper -- but if this is going to be a more regular thing then we've got to figure out something to make it a little easier?

 

[Suzysu]

Over here the hospital give us a choice of numbing spray or EMLA cream, my little one is not yet 2 so very young and I have to say neither helps but I think as we have to pin him down he would scream no matter what - If he still needs tests etc when he is a bit older I would be tempted by the busy bee, and would definatly try the counting trick! good luck xx

 

[crohnsinct]

Oh and believe it or not a friend of mine just told me her daughter (12) just had a PICC line put in and they didn't use anything other than an IPAD to distract her! They knocked O out when they out her PICC line in!

 

[Sascot]

My son is having weekly blood tests just now so we have a repeat prescription for EMLA cream (from the GP) which I put on his hands an hour before the blood test. They also have a freeze spray which numbs instantly. I find it odd that your kids hospital doesn't use anything! Good luck!

 

[Mom2oneboy]

Our children's hospital uses the numbing spray for blood draws and the patch for placing IVs. They have been a life saver! We've been using a lab (that doesn't have either of those items) that's close to us and I ask them to use the smallest needle and my son has done okay with that.

 

[willsmom]

All great suggestions.

I've found the creams and sprays aren't offered by medical staff unless I ask. We've used Emla, Maxilene and the spray (forget name). All have the same effect, but the spray is the quickest to numb and I always carry a tube of Emla in my purse just in case.

I've also found asking for a butterfly needle also reduces the pressure/pain of the blood draws. I even ask for a butterfly for myself since my veins are so bad - it always goes smoother.

 

[polly13]

Emla cream here all the way. Most of our bloods are done at our local hospital and they use it as standard so they always give me a big bag of it when I run out. however, our national childrens hospital dont use it as standard either so I always put some on her when we are getting bloods done there. it is great - no tears

 

[momoftwinboys]

Your daughter may b a little young for this. The therapist talked to my son about imagining someplace that he really likes and talking about it. Describing it, sounds, smells, tastes etc. your brain can only focus on so much at once. He tucks his head in my shoulder and talks and he does not feel a thing. They do use a butterfly needle where we go. I called the lab before we went the first time and the front desk gave me a suggested lab tech to request that was good. We request her everytime now. She also taught him a breathing technique that helps He tried the freezing spray the time before this. Hated it. Thought it hurt more than needle. While at the downtown location they had someone training that did a horrible job. His arm was very sore. Just know you can opt out when they are training. We will opt out if it happens again. Good luck tomorrow

 

[kllyeve]

I am a lab tech who has done collections on kids and the suggestions above are all good.

We would also have the kid sit in the mom's lap and have her hold the other arm out of the way so they don't pull out the needle and can be kept from wiggling so much and disturbing the needle once in.

Ask for them to use a butterfly, I always did with kids because it hurts much less and if they do wiggle a bit the needle isn't as likely to come out.

Make sure, even if you have to be fasting, that you have your child drink a couple of glasses of water in the am before you go. Being well hydrated really helps in finding a vein. Have the child wear something with short sleeves so its easier to get at their arms.

I have no experience in using the numbing creams.

Good Luck and try to hold your own nerves in check because how the parents approach it can make a huge difference in how the kid handles it.