Blood Works.

I think it is harder on Mommy then Baby. The kids are over it just as fast as they get over shots. Bring a "being Brave " reward and their comfort item (blanket, stuffy, pacie). Don't forget Mommies reward too, or the tissues.

Good luck, I have 3 kids and all of which got over it quickly and do not hate me or the Doctor.

It will be ok, deep breath.

I don't know what this "mandatory" thing is all about (I too am in NY state), but my little boy is 1 and girl is 2 and the only blood draw we had to do was an iron test, and that was done with a finger prick. Both of them had it around the age of 1. My son was perfectly fine (and wanted to play with the blood and his bandaid), but my daughter cried, but it was really no big deal.

I know some of the other responders said that their children had a bad experience, but my son had blood drawn at 1 (the pediatrician just did it at the 1 year visit, I didn't question it) and again at 3. He did not have a problem at all. In fact, at his 3 year visit, I couldn't stand to watch but my son, who was on my lap, was fascinated by it and barely cried at all. Really, it's much worse for the parents but even if the child cries (and most do!), it doesn't affect them negatively. And, in the case of my niece, the bloodwork caught her extreme anemia, which is now being treated. If they didn't do the routine bloodwork at age 3, her parents wouldn't have known until perhaps it was too late. Don't worry and good luck!

Each of my children have had blood taken from a vein at about a year old. It wasn't the most horrible thing, of course they cried but seeing that it only lasted about 10 minutes once it was over everything was better. If you've ever had blood taken you know what it feels like so while yes it hurts and it isn't fun I often believe it is harder on the parent.

We did that last month. We live in Brooklyn and its mandatory in NY State. The reason they do it is because so much lead paint was used in the 70's and its still around. I would do the test for sure. I've known a lot of moms who's kids had VERY high lead levels. Its very dangerous for a child to have so much lead in their system.
Taking the blood was a bit dramatic and she screamed the whole time but it lasted all of 2 minutes at the most.
The way I see it is that its for their own good. Sometimes you have to force them to do something they don't want to.
I recommend a lollipop too. It was very helpful to calm after the fact!

My daughter had blood drawn at 1 year of age. Not sure if it was a state requirement (we live in NJ) but she is small for her age and they wanted to test her blood for several different things that could have been causing it.
I wasn't too fond of the idea but I must say my daughter did very well. She squirmed a bit but I sat her on my lap and distracted her as best I could during the stick. She didn't cry until it was over. She wasn't in any noticeable pain and I think it was worse for me seeing it done then it was for her experiencing it. I'm not afraid of needles but at the same time don't like them. I just tried to remain calm and act like nothing significant was happening hoping she will pick up on that.

Hi. I live in NYC too. My son never had to do a mandatory blood test out of his vein at that age or any age? The only time it was ever even suggested was when he didn't want them to do a finger prick and the nurse said if she couldn't get his blood we'd have to go to a lab and they would do from the vein. What is the test for? Did you ask doc if they could do a finger prick? And ask them to show you the state mandate, because even though my son is 7 I have lots of friends with babies here and no had to do that. Just ask a few more questions.

I expect the test is for lead, which I believe is required for NYC kids in day care or other care or school settings. We had to do it when our twin daughters were 11 months old, before they first started to go to daycare. I don't think it's possible to get enough blood to do the test properly with just a finger stick.

[UPDATE ADDED LATER: Since I see several responses from people balking at the test being mandatory, I thought I would check it. Here is a document from the NYC Department of Health that says it is New York State law to test all kids for lead at ages 1 and 2: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/chi/chi26-3.pdf
It also says only about 70% of NYC kids are actually tested, which may explain why some here haven't heard of it or are surprised. It also says, "Venous specimens are more accurate than fingerstick specimens. Environmental contamination of fingerstick specimens can result in false positives, and finger squeezing can dilute blood and result in false
negatives."]

We took our girls to a Quest and asked for someone experienced with little ones. Still, it was traumatic. In our case, there was a lot of screaming and several attemps to get the vein. BUT they were perfectly fine soon afterwards. It's just a trial you have to get through. The Quest people let us use a private room right after so I could nurse my daughters and help calm them down. If you're not nursing, I'd recommend bringing a bottle or something else soothing for after the draw.

Fwiw, the second-year blood draw was much easier.

Good luck,
A.

Our daughter had to have blood drawn (for mandatory lead testing) after she turned one. We went to the local lab and asked for someone who was both experienced with taking blood from children and also kind/good with kids. The woman had my husband sit in the chair with our daughter in his lap, while she and I distracted her with toys. It was over before we knew it, with no tears at all! This woman really knew what she was doing. That makes all the difference! I've also heard that either giving kids infant tylenol or sugar water in a sippy cup helps. Good luck!

My husband said he was glad that he had to take our little guy cause it was awful. (i don't like needles, especially in my baby). They had a few nurses holding him down to get it in his arm. I don't mean to scare you, but it happens, and then he forgot all about it. Good Luck.

My grandson had to have blood drawn at around that age. He cried, tried to struggle, and couldn't understand why all these big people (including his mom) were subjecting him to something so uncomfortable and scary.

But he was fine a few minutes later, and in spite of my worries, he seemed to have forgotten the whole thing by his next visit to the doctor. He was not anxious or afraid of the office or the nurses or doctor.

But it was really, really hard for his mom and me.

I found this to be very difficult. My son screamed, cried and fought. This is par for the course with my son though as I've heard others tell me their child was perfectly fine, didn't even cry. My son sat on my lap and was nervous, I really HAD to restrain him in a bear hug to start, then the women put the rubber band around his arm and he started freaking out at that moment. It took two women to get the job done but they were quick, professional and very good at what they did. THANK GOD! My son was quite upset after the blood was drawn and seemed more "hurt" that I allowed him to get hurt. He just held up his little arm with the band aid and looked at me and cried as if to say "mommy, why did you do that." It was hard, but as moms, we have to endure hard times like this. It helps to know what you may or may not be getting into and it helps to be prepared for you to be strong for your child and just know that they will survive. Hopefully yours is one of those children I heard of that don't have a hard time at all with this.

Yes, they all do it. I believe testing for lead and also urine (kidney functions) We had to go to a lab, our doc did not do it in office. And it was awful, they took from his arm, like when an adult gets tested. He was sitting on my lap, screaming the whole time while my husband was trying to do everything to distract. I believe they took 2 tubes, alot for a little baby. BUT, he was fine 5 minutes after, we, however, were horified and exhausted.

My daugher had it done and I hated it. Being a mommy at 20 and not wanting ANYTHING to make my baby cry. My other two did not have to do it because we switch doctors, but still it was weird. If it was a state requirement, why did she need it and they did not? But also, the new pediatrician runs tests like crazy, so after 6 years we have switched again. No more poking my babies fingers because he wants more money!

Is it really mandatory by the Sate? My daughter didn't have blood work till she was 9, my son when he was 5. Many doctors say that requirements are mandatory when actually they are not. Best to ask what it is for and make your own decision as to whether it is necessary or not. Medical care for your children is and should be a very personal thing, and you are in control, not the doctor. Ultimately you have to live with every decision that is made, not your doctor.

Nothing in the United States is "mandatory." My children have never had blood drawn for "state requirements." What is this blood for? I would be asking a lot more questions before I let them stick my 1 year old.

Lisa

Dear M., Yes, they all must have this bloodwork. Be sure to take your child to someone who is experienced and caring. This is very scary to a little one as it is to some grownups.
Spend some time telling your little one that you have blood drawn too and it should go quickly. Lots of hugs before and after! Grandma Mary

its no big deal!
my son was circumcised late (at 7 months) and the night of the surgery, he started bleeding and we had to take him to the ER. they wanted to make sure he didnt have a clotting problem so they had to take blood.
they used a butterfly needle (very tiny) and a syringe-type tube. the nurse physically pulled out the plunger on the syringe thing, and the blood just came out.
I guess they dont have the blood pressure for the blood to just come out automatically like it does on an adult.
other than the manual retrieval of blood, its no different from an adult. as long as they can find a vein without having to dig, it's fine.
He didnt even bruise.

Definitely find out what the blood test is for. Bring a friend to help you if you don't understand the dr., or have the dr. write it down if you don't understand. It is mandatory (meaning the state law requires testing, Lisa K.) in CT and NY to test for lead at 1 year. Usually it is done with a finger prick. If the results show a high amount of lead, the dr. will double check using blood from a vein in the arm. If it is for lead, it is absolutely important to do it. You may have to move from a home if it contains too much lead that is affecting your child. Lead poisoning affects the memory, nervous system and more. Later it can lead to delays in development and problems studying in school. It can be treated if caught early. Please do find out what the test is for to ease your anxiety.

It all depends on what size needle they need to use to take the blood sample. Even though it's your first time with your child, these nurses likely do it hundreds if not thousands of times/year.
It also depends on how you handle it and how calm you approach the event.

We've noticed that our children tend not to have a problem with needles because we don't make a big deal about it. When you tell your child, in a frantic voice, that it's going to hurt, and everything is going to be OK, it teaches them to be afraid.

I sold injectible medications for 8 years, and most people had more of a psychological barrier to injections than a physical reaction.
My kids have witnessed me receive chemo on several occasions and have my blood drawn each time I see my oncologist. Since needles don't bother me, they've not developed their own fears yet (but, they're only 2 and 4).

Good luck.

Make sure you insist on someone doing the draw who is known for being good with kids so they can find the vein as easily as possible. The baby will cry - so you need to be strong. You'll hold the baby on your lap and hold the arm very firmly. You can do it.

My kids had blood tests but it was always a finger prick not from the vein. Try to give something sweet as studies show that sugar can help release a natural pain relief reaction. The more calm you can be, the more you can help your child be calm. It will not be easy but the more anxious you get, the more your child will too.

Good luck.

best thing you can do is to be sure you get a tech who is great with children. if they call in someone else to help them, its a good sign. we go to quest in bethpage and they have a couple of techs who are awesome with kids. it still stinks, but you def should call ahead to be sure you get the best one.

it sux big time....=(
we put off gettin sofia bllodwork til she had to in the er for swallowing a nickel. she was 3. the bloodtest at 1 yr is generally to test for lead and anemia but we felt it wasn't necessary. anyways, there's no way around it...the screaming is horrible....they do it just like they take our blood, from the vein on the arm or hand. i hope they get it on the first try!

It will really suck. Not kidding. My son has been diagnosed with Toddlers Diahrea, and while they were trying to determine what his issues were, he had to give 8 vials of blood over 2 separate visits.

Best advice, check with the lab beforehand to see if that have someone on staff who has drawn from little ones before, and can be patient and as gentle as possible. Then, when your in for the sample, be the one to hold your child. Bring any thing your child uses for comfort - binky, blankie, doll, etc, then comfort your child the best you can. It is not fun, but once its over and you can get them to calm down, then you can reward them for being so brave by getting ice cream, toy, etc.