Explaining a Blood Draw to Your Child

You need to have your blood checked today. This is called a “blood draw” or “lab draw”. Checking your blood gives the doctors and nurses important information about how your body is doing.

Numbing Cream

At Children’s Mercy, we often use numbing cream or medicine to numb your skin before you have your blood draw. When your skin is numb, you will not feel the blood draw as much. 

Sometimes, your family member may put numbing cream on you at home or before you come for your visit. Numbing cream sits on your skin for 30-60 minutes and feels like lotion. We use a clear bandage to help the cream stay in place.

Other Helpful Options

Here are some other things that you may choose to use during your blood draw:

Buzzy Bee

Buzzy is a small, hand-held tool that looks like a bumble bee. When turned on, Buzzy vibrates, which helps distract the patient’s brain from the pain.

Cold Spray

Cold spray creates a quick, very cold feeling that helps you not feel the poke as much.

Comfort Positions

We know letting kids sit upright helps provide them with comfort and a sense of control. You may hold your child in a secure and comforting position during their blood draw. This provides an opportunity for you to comfort them while also helping them to remain still and safe. See examples of comfort positioning in action (video).

Things that can help when you get a blood draw

• Take slow, deep breaths.
• Hold someone’s hand.
• Squeeze a ball.
• Choose to watch or look at something else, like a book or tablet.
  
  

What do you want to do? You can make a plan and practice!