How to Help When Your Child Needs to Get a Needle Poke

Why does my child need a needle poke?
In hospitals needle pokes may be used for: 

Bloodwork

IV Medications and Fluids

Numbing Injections for Stitching

The difference between bloodwork (venipuncture) and IVs (Intravenous Placement)

Needle poke to take a blood sample

Needle poke to insert “straw” (IV cannula): needle comes out, but “straw” stays in

Why does my child need an IV? 
Sometimes medicines cannot be swallowed
Sometimes oral doses are not strong enough and medicines need to be given directly into the blood stream.
Sometimes the body needs extra fluids.
Sometimes blood samples are needed for laboratory tests.
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Tips for everyone

1. Be calm and use encouraging language

Be a role model for your child – they are looking to you to understand how they should feel. 

Don’t say sorry, but tell them how great they are doing! 

2. Try numbing cream

Numbing cream can be used for all ages. 

But remember they require 30-60 minutes to work, depending on the type of numbing cream used.

3. Ask for help

You can always ask health care professionals for help or suggestions.

Age specific tips

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Babies

Children

Teens

Tips for Babies

Distractions

Give sugar water 1-2 minutes before the procedure.

Start feeding your infant immediately before the procedure and continue during and after.

Distract your infant at the time of the poke (use bells, toys, etc.)

Comfort Holds
Kangaroo Care

Also called ‘direct skin contact’.

Hold your child facing you, against your bare chest. Start the hold 15 mins before the needle poke.

Stabilizes heart and oxygen levels
Helps your child recover faster
Lowers response to pain
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Liability Statement

This infographic was brought to you by ARCHE, ECHO, and TREKK

This research was funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute.

Women and children's health research institute Stollery Childrens Hospital Foundation logo

© ECHO Research and ARCHE, 2024. This resource may not be modified, reproduced or distributed without prior written consent of ECHO Research and ARCHE. Contact shannon.scott@ualberta.ca

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The information contained in this video/multimedia content (the “Multimedia”) is provided on an “as is” basis and is offered for general information and educational purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute professional advice. There is no guarantee about the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the information found in the Multimedia. This information is provided without warranty of any kind, and the University of Alberta, its agents, employees, and students disclaim responsibility to any party for any loss or damage of any kind that may arise directly or indirectly as a result of the use of or reliance on the information contained in the Multimedia.

Physical treatments can include physiotherapy, prescribed exercise plans, strengthening exercises, massage, and more. 

Psychological treatments can include counselling or talk therapy, supportive therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, mediation, and more. They can be provided on a one-on-one basis or in a group setting. 

Disclaimer

The information contained in the video/multimedia content (the “Multimedia”) is provided on an “as is” basis and is offered for general information and educational purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute professional advice. There is no guarantee about the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the information found in the Multimedia. This information is provided without warranty of any kind, and the University of Alberta, its agents, employees, and students disclaim responsibility to any party for any loss or damage of any kind that may arise directly or indirectly as a result of the use of or reliance on the information contained in the Multimedia.

These resources may not be modified, reproduced or distributed without prior written consent of ECHO Research. Contact shannon.scott@ualberta.ca.