Taking Blood from 11 Month Old

I was worried SICK about having this done at 6 months...

It was nothing...took it from her arm...she didn't even flinch! They used a butterfly needle and it was so quick and totally painless!!

I'm TERRIFIED of needles and was so worked up over it. I was so relieved that she was just sitting there the whole time...wasn't even phased a bit!

we have an 11 month old, and haven't had a blood test as yet. I can't give you any concrete feedback, except try to keep a positive attitude about this. The little one's can sense your nervousness. If its no big deal to you, little one will tolerate it much better.

Arm like anyone else. My son had to have blood drawn weekly for quite a while due to an auto immune disorder, it got easier as it went. If you can sit in a chair like what adults would sit in have her sit in your lap and you blow bubbles for a good distraction. When we could not do that and I had to have him lay down is when he became upset and it was just a hold him down and get it done ordeal with a smoothie at the end (ohh boy he LOVES). Make sure that they do NOT stick and find, make sure that they get it done right away - my rule of thumb is the first nurse gets 3tries unless she is digging (my son's roll); every nurse after that has one shot (up to 3) after that they may try the hand ONCE. No dice no blood try again another day. I have never had to leave w/out blood but I have had to go as far as the 3rd nurse. Stay firm with the staff and keep some of that firm/fair with your child, I think coddling on this one teaches them to be afraid of the process. An understanding, firm/fair attitude is what got me thru it all.

Yes, most likely it will be from the arm. But more important than knowing that, you need to calm down and not be nervous!!! Babies sense this and trust me, she'll be more calm if you are. My daughter has been thru lots and lots of testing because of allergies and yes, she's going to cry, there's no way around it but some of that is just out of fear. Just hug her tight and stay calm!! Good luck and let us know how it went!!

I had my daughter's blood drawn around that time to test for peanuts. And as everyone has said, it is from the arm. She sat in my lap and I held the arm that wasn't being drawn from. They tried her right arm first, they were poking and prodding around in there and couldn't get a vein. (my child didn't make a peep during this.) Then they tried her left arm and popped it right into the vein, and she wailed like there was no tomorrow. :( But, it goes really fast.... and it's better that you find out what you need to know about her allergies. Don't get yourself worried too much about it, she'll read your fear.

My baby had to have a blood test when he was around 5 or 6 months old. They gave us a little heat pack to put on his arm. You would not believe it, K.F......he did not even flinch. I held him on my lap through the whole blood draw and I swear, he did not even seem to be aware it was happening. I guess the heat pack rises the vein or something, also they use a tiny tiny needle, and finally, I wonder if him being a baby, and therefore not knowing enough to have any kid of anxiety about needles, had anything to do with it. Whatever....it went great!

My son was closer to 2 when he had blood drawn. I sat in a chair with him in my lap and I help his right arm.Someone else held his left arm out straight and the tech took the blood from his inner elbow. My son was interested in what they were doing, just watched, didn't cry until the actual prick. I had brought a lollipop, so I told him he could have that (he doesn't get them often) and he was fine.

We will be doing this when my son is 1 year as well. I asked my sister in law and she said that her daughter was tested in the arm just like adults are.

I have also heard that heat helps!

PS- I suspect that it will be difficult (especially if she is a squirmer) but it can't be worse than watching your 5 day old get poked 10 times unsuccessfully by the ER staff trying to insert an IV! At least that is what I'm hoping since we already went through that!

My daughter had some blood taken at her 1 year check up, just to check for anemia and lead - they did take it from her arm, used a small butterfly catheter and we held her still. She wasn't happy about it but it was over real quick and that was it.

I don't know if they will take it from her arm, but if they do, remember that you are Mama! My son is a fighter! He has to have his blood drawn every 2 months from his arm. The lab tech comes in and I tell her that we need 2 more people. They usually don't believe me, but I assert it until they get 2 more people. One for his arm (he's double jointed and will pop his elbow out when they are trying to stick him) One to draw the blood, one for his legs and then I handle the torso. Then when they begin and he fights they are like oh... you are right. So, if there's something you think your daughter needs for the blood draw feel free to speak up! You know your child best.

That last 3 times he went he chose to be a big boy and take it without fighting, so I'm SO glad that is over! Little ones are stronger than we think! The blood draw isn't that big of a deal. If it's out of the arm I think that they try to do it as fast as possible. I won't let a nurse draw, I insist on a lab tech. Not b/c I'm uppity but b/c lab techs do it ALL the time and I want more experienced hands on my kiddo. She might bruise a little, but she will be fine. To me, it's harder on mommy than him! haha!

They will usually draw from the crook of the elbow like adults. It sometimes takes a bit on kids as at this age they usually have rolly polly arms. Remember she will feed off of your emotions, so if you aren't going to handle it and cry and cringe then be the hero that comes back in the room to rescue her and let the phlebotomists do their job quicker so she is done quicker. If it is for allergy testing it will be possibly up to 8 tubes of blood, possibly less depending on what was ordered. My kids have had plenty of draws due to need to diagnos celiac disease. They usually can't do a heel stick due to the nature of testing and the volume of blood needed for testing. She will be fine, this will be harder on you than it is one her. You can set her up for her life by being strong and matter of fact with any blood draws before age of 5. I see kids who are both ways and you look at the parents and can tell why they have such a hard time...by the way been drawing blood for 17 years so I have been on both sides of the fence.

My son had to have a blood test around the same age. Honestly? They did it so quickly he barely had time to react. They had two techs (plus me) and used the tiniest needle right in the crook like an adult.

The whole thing was quick and relatively drama-free. Best advice I can give you is to try your best not to let your anxiety show because your little one doesn't "know" to be scared, but will be if you are!

Yup, had that done when he was little like yours. They take it from the arm. They'll have extra help but you'll hold her. They go REALLY FAST!

We've done it twice with my son (he JUST turned four year old) and the last time he just WATCHED and didn't move. He wanted a hug and said "let's go home." My husband held him both times and I talked to him while they took the blood. I broke out into a sweat but "I" lived!

Oh, I JUST rememebered this. Make sure she has lots of fluids. It helps to keep the vein from rolling.

It'll be fine. Good luck mommy!