Helping your child cope with blood draws (1536)

Key points below


How to prepare and what to bring

Here are some questions you can ask the person who is drawing the blood

lab plan

Think about ways to manage the pain

Numb the pain.

o Ask the lab staff if they have the spray to numb the area.
o Put ice packs where they will have the blood draw before it is done.
o Ask your doctor about getting a prescription to use EMLA numbing cream on blood draw sites 30 minutes before getting to the lab.

Returning to lab after a hard time with a blood draw

Ask for a Child Life Specialist 

Child life specialists can are at Children’s Milwaukee or Appleton campuses. They can create a coping plan, offer support and provide distraction during the blood draw.

For more health and wellness information check out these resources: