There aren’t many parents of special needs children who aren’t faced with the prospect of needing to have lab work done on their child. And depending on a number of factors, this can be a very traumatic event or a routine occurrence.

How can you make having your child’s blood drawn easier?

1. Know what you’re in for ahead of time. Know exactly which tests they are doing and if there are any special requirements. For example, does your child need to be off supplements or medications? Does the child need to have fasted since midnight.
2. Find out when the lab is the least busy. Generally lab companies that most insurances send you to can do the blood work you need for nearly everything. They are usually busiest in the mornings (full of those folks who have been fasting). But middle of the week is generally less busy than Mondays or Fridays. Call the lab and ask, and see if you can pick one of those less busy, less stressful times.
3. If you can leave other siblings behind, it’s a good idea. Less distractions for you and less stress for both you and the child as the child’s anxiety is likely already elevated.
4. Offer to do what you know comforts your child during the actual blood draw. This could include holding the child on your lap, giving him a back rub, singing his favorite song.
5. Use distraction. My sister took weekly allergy shots from the time she was small. I can remember that each family member had a distraction technique for her, singing songs, silly games, making faces…anything to keep her from thinking about that needle prick.
6. Make sure your child drinks plenty of water before the blood draw (unless the doctor has told you not to). Being well hydrated makes the technician’s job easier and the whole experience go more smoothly.
7. If you get a good lab technician, find out who he/she is. Some people just do a much better job with little children than others. If you have a really great experience, make sure you know who this technician is and don’t be timid about asking for her next time.

We did a blood draw today. LuLu is a pro since we do one quarterly. She doesn’t mind at all and even requests special bandages. But I didn’t follow my own advice and double check what they were doing. She needed 7 different tests run from three different sources; and not all of the blood was drawn. The lab called me on my way home, but I didn’t get the message until LuLu had woofed down her breakfast…so Monday morning (yikes the busiest day of the week), she’ll fast and we’ll try again!