How to prepare your child for a blood test – first visit to a diagnostic laboratory

– Will it hurt?

This is a question your child will surely ask you. How do you answer?

We offer suggestions, but emphasize from the outset that if the child knows what's coming, they'll cope with everything more calmly. Therefore, preparing both the child and the parent for this difficult visit is crucial. We remind them of the rules and suggest solutions.

Who is important here?

Having a blood sample taken is one of the most difficult moments for both the child and the parent. The person taking the blood sample also plays a significant role, as trust is essential. But the most important thing is the child. Therefore, it's important to prepare them for this visit so that the whole experience doesn't become traumatic.

Where to start?

It's worth starting with some fun. You can play with your child at a collection point, a nurse, and a little patient, using props and white clothing. The patient could be a favorite teddy bear or doll. You could also draw a picture or coloring page together, or draw a syringe, an armchair, or a little patient.

With slightly older children, it's worth simply talking about tests. Explain to your child what the test is for, how it will be conducted, and why it's so important.

Does blood sampling hurt?

This question will undoubtedly come up. How do you answer? The truth. You can't lie to a child; having a blood sample taken hurts a little, like a light pinch (it's worth referring to a situation the child is familiar with). It's important to familiarize the child with this topic. Using a familiar frame of reference, explain that the test is short, taking as long as it takes to walk from the kitchen to the child's room (for example). It's definitely not a good idea to say there's nothing to be afraid of . It's better to say that many people are afraid, that we are too, and that it's normal and natural.

Blood collection from a finger or a vein?

It's good to know whether the sample will be collected from a fingertip or a vein. For various reasons, a vein sample may be necessary, and the person collecting the sample will decide this (the number of tests to be performed may be the reason for collecting blood from a child's vein). Therefore, it's best not to promise or assure the child that it will only be a drop of blood from a fingertip.

What else can be done before the test?

A good idea is to visit the collection point in advance and show your child what the entire room and collection chair look like. You should explain the test and demonstrate all the steps step by step – from disinfecting the puncture site to applying gauze after the test is complete. You can use websites with photos or even take a blood test, showing your child how to behave during the collection. Children absorb the most from the observations of us adults, especially parents.

Important tips?

It's a good idea to dress your child so they can be easily undressed . The less time it takes to prepare for the blood draw, the less stress the child (and parent) will experience. It's also important to ensure your child drinks still water half an hour before the blood draw . This will significantly improve blood flow without affecting the test results. And during the actual blood draw, cooperation with the person taking the blood is paramount.

How to behave at the collection point

The parent's attitude is crucial. The child should see a confident, smiling, and calm parent. This provides support and a sense of security. It's worth asking the person taking the x-ray how you can help. Often, they suggest sitting the child on your lap and cuddling them to make them feel safe. Of course, you should warn them in advance that you'll be cuddling them during the examination and that the person taking the x-ray will be holding their hand. This will reassure them and protect them from any dangerous movements.

It's also a good idea to ask the child if they want to look at the needle. Let them make the decision. If they don't want to look, the parent's role is to distract the child from the examination itself.

Tricks during the examination

You can breathe with your child, counting to 3-4, for example. Try to direct their attention to various objects in the exam room by describing them and teaching them what they are used for. Distracting the child from the exam itself should be a natural conversation, a casual change of focus.

And when the blood is taken

First, it's essential to praise your child. Let them know they're brave and courageous. It's not necessary to reward them materially, so as not to teach them to demand increasingly valuable rewards. It's more valuable to give your little hero the feeling that they've managed to overcome their fears, which will undoubtedly boost their self-confidence.

Consultation with
Sylwia Krasowska, M.A.
Psychology specialist