Toddler venipuncture

Re: Toddler venipuncture

• chardonnay24 member

  October 2013

  We've had it done a few times. It's not pretty but he's always recovered quickly. It usually takes a few people to hold him down, but he's unusually strong for a toddler. I think he cries the most about being restrained, not the poke itself.

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• mollinator9 member

  October 2013

  Thanks! I'm so nervous. Hopefully we won't end up having to get it done.

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• SusieBW member

  October 2013 edited October 2013

  In RI, they start lead testing in toddlers when they turn 1.  So DD had bloodwork done for that when she was one, and I need to take her again now that she just turned 2.  She did great last year.  DH held her on his lap and they had him hold her arm out straight.  She didn't cry at all and she watched the whole process like she was fascinated.
  
  Like shots, I think a lot of times it's probably worse for the parents to watch than it is for the kids.
  
  ETA: other advice - don't make a big deal of it.  If LO can sense that you are nervous about it or anything, they will take on that emotion.  Make it exciting and fun - going to a new place, etc.
  

  
  
  
  

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• Soap1 member

  October 2013

  DS had blood drawn when he was barely 3.  It was pretty brutal.  They had to stick him twice.  He was really upset, and then talked about how awful it was for days.  He still mentions every now and then the time they took blood from his arm.
  
  Good luck!
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  

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