For Parents

Tip #1: Be Honest

A trip to the hospital or doctor's office may cause a child to automatically anticipate that they are getting a needlestick. If they ask you—BE HONEST! Oftentimes, parents faced with this difficult question will avoid giving an answer or may even deceive their child, telling him or her that no needlestick procedures will be needed when the parent knows that may not be true. These reactions are very understandable—after all, no parent wants to see his/her child afraid, anxious or, worst of all, in pain.

There is a common misperception that it is better for the child not to know or worry about a pending needlestick procedure in advance. However, scientific evidence has proven that when answering this age-old question, honesty truly is the best approach.

Many children are so scared of needlestick procedures that they become highly distressed the moment they see a needle. Once a child becomes this overwhelmed, he or she is unlikely to calm down before the procedure, causing the procedure to be difficult for everyone involved. The next time you are faced with the question "Am I going to get a needlestick?" answer honestly and explain the procedure in a factual manner. Let your child know that you'll be there if they need you, and that there will be a bandage and ways to lessen the pain.

To help your child feel a sense of control over a needlestick experience, talk to them in advance about:

• What will happen
• What they will feel
• What they will smell
• What they will see
• What they will hear
• What various medical instruments are used for (this can be done in the hospital as appropriate)

Tip #2: Be calm and supportive

Your demeanor and level of involvement during your child's needlestick procedure is a key factor in determining the child's level of anxiety.

It is natural for you to want to soothe your child during a needlestick procedure by empathizing, apologizing and reassuring. However, research has shown that these behaviors are associated with increasing children's stress levels as they project the parent's worry onto the child. Instead, the key is to provide matter-of-fact, non-apologetic support to your child; actions that are proven to decrease children's stress. During the procedure, try to act as your child's coach by encouraging them, using humor or telling a story that is unrelated to the needlestick procedure taking place. If you remain calm, your child is more likely to remain calm as well.

Following are some suggestions for how to talk to your child during a needlestick procedure:

How and where your child is positioned during the needlestick procedure can also impact their stress level.

Suggestions for sitting and holding positions at different age levels include:

Distraction techniques during the needlestick procedure can help alleviate anxiety in children. Distraction should be age appropriate, ranging from simple techniques to more complex ones for adolescents.

Below are some suggestions for age-appropriate distraction techniques that you can implement to help keep your child calm and relaxed.

After the needlestick, continue to distract the child. Reassurance should be brief and limited. Praise and reward the child for appropriate behavior and simply ignore the inappropriate behavior.

Tip #3: Parents can help lessen the pain of needlesticks

Parents should feel empowered as they play an important role in their child's medical care. There are plenty of proven-effective techniques that parents can utilize to help their child through a needlestick procedure. Top tips include:

Asking the doctor, nurse or anesthesiologist to use a topical local anesthetic (TLA) on your child, which is a non-invasive way to give a numbing medicine. TLAs help to numb the area and minimize the pain of needlestick procedures.

If a TLA isn't being used, you have the right to request one. There are professional guidelines that encourage the use of a TLA on children, so don't be afraid to ask. You may want to check with your hospital ahead of time about whether or not they use TLAs for children getting IVs or blood draws and to find out if a TLA can be requested, if it isn't normally offered.

Working with the nurse or child life specialist (most pediatric hospitals have a child life specialist on staff) to utilize "distraction" techniques such as having a television show or movie playing during the procedure. You can also bring your child's favorite stuffed animal, game or book (Where's Waldo is very useful) to play with your child. These techniques help take your child's mind off the procedure as it's occurring.

Requesting that the doctor or nurse allow you to hold your child on your lap during the procedure provides comfort to the child. Most are fine with this as their goal is to make the process as painless as possible too. That way, you can tell your child a story or sing a favorite song.

The most important thing for parents to remember is that your demeanor and support before, during and after your child's needlestick procedure greatly influences how your child will cope with the experience. Remember that by staying calm and being honest, and working with your child's medical care team to make sure a TLA and distraction techniques are employed, the needlestick experience will likely go much more smoothly for everyone.