https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:54:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231773 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:24:21 +0000 LovelyPlum 2231773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: oh poor baby :sad: I hope the tests give you answers, though. GI issues are maddening to figure out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231655 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:29:51 +0000 singingbee 2231655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Our little one had ITP so we had to follow up with a month of blood testing each week. She got to where she knew what we were doing when we went in. The best ones distracted her and tested everything out before they actually took the blood. I usually held her tightly and they would have someone else to help. I would sing to her and that seemed to calm her down some. I would cry later. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231636 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:21:16 +0000 twodoghouse 2231636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Oh, poor Fia! They had to do both of Alice's elbows twice and still couldn't get enough for her vials, so they ended up having to do a heel stick and let it drip into vials. It was insane and the worst thing I've experienced as a mom. Three days later she had repeat blood work and the tech was flawless and had zero problems. That made me so furious that she had been through all that a couple days before for no reason. Ugh! I hope this at least gives you clarification on what's going on with her eczema and allergies! Keep me updated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231635 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:20:16 +0000 Adira 2231635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Ohh, gotcha! Yeah, I wonder if Xander's eczema was related to his diet too since it seems to have gotten better since he's been off breast milk (where I was ingesting dairy which he is allergic to), though both the allergist and dermatologist didn't think it was related. Who knows! Hope you figure it out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231627 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:10:53 +0000 Mae 2231627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I asked for an allergist referral bc it seemed to me her eczema was diet linked and worse when we gave her dairy or almond milk. Doc recommended blood test before referral. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231615 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:07:07 +0000 Adira 2231615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's so interesting to hear how different pediatricians handle things. My son was referred to a dermatologist because of his eczema, not an allergist. Curious what your results will be like. Glad the blood draw is over!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231559 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:40:46 +0000 Mae 2231559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all again for your advice! We had it done this morning. And it sucked. Our tech was very nice and as fast as she could be but poor Fia's little arms just didn't have enough blood or something? I had to hold her very tight. She started crying as soon as she tied the tourniquet, before she even got stuck! Then she did the first arm and couldn't get the blood flowing (she was in the vein it was just slow) and held her there for probably a full 2 min before deciding it was all we could get out of that arm and it was only half as much as we needed. So then we had to do the other arm. UGH. She sobbed the whole time and it was really hard, but she stopped crying as soon as it was done and seems okay now. Poor baby. </p> <p>@LovelyPlum: We suspect she possibly has a delayed allergy to tree nuts and possibly a true allergy (not intolerance) to dairy. But it is really hard to tell. She doesn't have classic/scary allergy symptoms. But she has persistent eczema that appears to be tied to diet but its been really hard to pin down what thing or things cause it. We're hoping this gives us some clarity on whether her eczema is just random and possibly weirdly timed... or if she really does have an allergy or allergies causing it. </p> <p>@Truth Bombs: I didn't actually ask why they ordered a blood test rather than the scratch test because I was thrilled she wouldn't have to get the scratch test, which seems worse to me since she'd have to get poked so many times and she is really bad at being messed with by strangers (stranger danger!). But my best guess based on my dr.googling about the pros/cons of each is because blood tests are better at diagnosing delayed allergies than skin tests, and because they are often recommended for infants/toddlers so they don't have to go through the scratch test. The biggest downsides of the blood test v. the scratch test are that it is more expensive and sometimes not covered by insurance (don't care) and it has a higher rate of false positives. I believe that the plan at this point is to see what/if anything she tests positive to wit the blood test then if there is something we'll be referred to an allergist who will probably do a skin test to confirm just those suspected allergies, rather than doing like 30 skin tests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231537 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:33:53 +0000 nana87 2231537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO had blood drawn at 1 year for a lead test (standard in NYC). I held her, but they also had 2 people there--one tech held her arm out straight while the other took the actual sample. It was so helpful, I don't think I could hold her still enough on her own! She hated it, but then was fine after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231262 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 10:03:04 +0000 Truth Bombs 2231262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really just curious because we had allergy testing as well. Why are they opting for a blood draw as opposed to the skin tests? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231239 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:53:46 +0000 Adira 2231239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Xander's had it done a couple times. It sucks, but they get over it pretty quickly! Both times we've had it done, Xander sat in our lap and you have to hold him pretty tight, especially the arm/hand not getting the blood drawn. Then another lab tech usually holds the arm getting the blood draw while another tech does the actual draw. It's usually pretty quick, but Xander screams and cries through the whole process. But once it's over, he gets over it within a couple minutes.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231225 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:47:15 +0000 MrsKoala 2231225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO had a blood draw around a year. He hated it and they had to try twice to get a good draw. It pissed him off and hurt but honestly it wasn't traumatizing or anything. He forgot about it like 20 minutes later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231189 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:35:20 +0000 LovelyPlum 2231189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We haven't had to, so no advice. But. I'm glad that you are getting some more answers for Fia. What do they think the allergies might be? More than just MSPI and avocado? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2231049 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:27:52 +0000 Mrs.ThinMint 2231049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us, blood draws are WAY easier than vaccines. My son has had several. He's almost a year old and he sits in my lap and watches them draw the blood. I don't have to hold him down or anything. He also doesn't cry. He screams bloody murder during vaccines though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230866 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 23:14:25 +0000 Aandmklover 2230866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had to get ds1 blood drawn at 12 and 14 months because he is very small so we were checking this thyroid. The first time the vein was either rolling or they missed because I remember he was poked twice and I left pissed. The second time the tech did awesome. It sucks but it will be over quick. I hope you get the answers you need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230813 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:33:15 +0000 wonderstruck 2230813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had to have this done at that age. I made DH handle it. Typically I handle all the doctor appointments since I'm a SAHM, but I'm a total needlephobe who is trying my hardest not to pass it along to LO...but I just couldn't do it. He said he cried pretty much the whole time, but they gave him a sucker right after and he was over it quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230748 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 20:29:22 +0000 tofuwad 2230748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Besides what everyone else has said I would see who is waiting in the waiting room and if there are other children, try to leave the waiting room in case the other kids start screaming and your LO can hear it. I've been to a few labs where once one kid screams, the rest get more and more worked up. Or maybe bring some headphones to drown out any other screaming? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230716 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 20:07:39 +0000 catomd00 2230716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: make an appointment and tell the lab it's a Ped draw. I was freaked out for it too but it wasn't too bad. Definitely bring someone with you. You will sit her in your lap. They had a tech hold her arm and another do the draw. DH stood behind her to distrct. She screamed like crazy the second they put the elastic band on, but it was quick. Next time I would try to distract her with a show on the<br /> iPad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230694 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:38:09 +0000 Mae 2230694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all so much for your honesty and input. I guess we just hope we get a fast tech and I do my best to hold her tight and put up a strong front for her. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230691 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:35:13 +0000 Foodnerd81 2230691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had to do it twice when they checked her iron and lead levels- at 9 and 12 months. It sucks, especially since they do it at the end of her check up so she's already kind of upset usually. But it's over relatively quickly and she calmed down pretty quick after we left the office. They have her sit in my lap, and showed me how best to pin her arms and legs so she didn't move. Honestly I do not think they are great at it at our office. I bet a specialized pediatric hospital will be much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230681 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:16:43 +0000 catlady 2230681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO had one at around 12 months and it was actually fine. She sat on my lap and they put the tourniquet around her arm and took it from her vein. She didn't even cry, it was over so fast. I was a proud mommy. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230677 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:10:56 +0000 MrsRcCar 2230677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: We have always had great draws at Nationwide and their child lab. Their staff is amazing. My kids still cried but they try to distract them and make it as painless as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230621 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:15:49 +0000 Ra 2230621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had two blood draws for lead (we live in the city) and they've been relatively quick and painless. My LO didn't even cry during the first one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230618 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:14:26 +0000 Mae 2230618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: going to a nationwide children's close to home center. That's where they do these. Big hospital wasnt an option </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230616 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:13:40 +0000 SproutBee 2230616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with holding her in your lap and physically (and emotionally!) being as strong as you can to hold her arm still. The less she moves, the quicker and easier it'll be for the phlebotomist. For us, it wasn't any worse than a shot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230614 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:10:32 +0000 MrsRcCar 2230614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: are you going to the city to for the children's hospital? If not I would recommend it! The blood draw is going to be rough. They generally have me hold LO in my lap with the legs in between my legs and then I bear hug the top. Best of luck momma. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230613 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:09:49 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2230613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had to get blood drawn from J when he had only been home a couple weeks. DH couldn't (and still can't really) stand to see him cry so I did it. He is very strong. I sat him in my lap and held him down with an iron grip. If they move it will be worse. If they sit still, it's over quickly. He screamed and cried and thrashed. The tech said, "it's my fault, not mommy's" and although he didn't understand English, that was a nice gesture :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230612 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:08:15 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2230612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few tips: hydrate as much as possible before hand. When you get there, you can ask for a heating pad, makes blood draw easier, but my lo didn't like the heat. I hold him on my lap car seat style like mrs Tiger said, but the lab techs told me what to do. I ask for the best tech for little kids, difficult veins. One time I left because the ladies were kinda mean. I have had the best luck at the lab at the actual hospital because they see so many patients. Have a bottle ready right after. It sucked during and lo cries for a by after, but no lingering effects. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230610 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:06:15 +0000 hilsy85 2230610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: ah gotcha. Well it will be over quickly!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230609 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:05:48 +0000 Mrs. Cheesecake 2230609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was just as bad as I expected it to be. It took DH and I to hold him down. He sat in DH's lap and securely held while I had to hold his legs down because he kept kicking the lab table and thereby making it hard for the lab tech to jab him. Finally when they got a vein I couldn't stand hearing him cry and started crying myself. DS and I were a hot mess after the whole ordeal. Luckily, once the needle was removed he immediately stopped crying. I think no amount of distraction could have made that situation better for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-getting-blood-drawn-from-your-older-infantyounger-toddler#post-2230607 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:04:36 +0000 skipra 2230607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lo1 had 2 blood draws - one at 9 months and another around 15 months. I was so nervous but he did great both times. I held him in my lap and the phlebotomist was great distracting him. I'm sure she'll do fine and it's quick so try not to stress to much! </p>