Can I nurse my baby during a blood test?

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Forum -> Parenting our children -> Infants

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amother

Cyan

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 4:53 pm

He is 1. Will they be able to get the needle in ok and generally do what they need to do?
Anyone have experience with this?

Frumdoc

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 5:21 pm

Try it out. Sometimes they even suggest it as a way of keeping the baby calm.

Unless it is your blood test, where it is perfectly feasible but might get in the way!

MagentaYenta

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 5:22 pm

I had to leave the room and have her father deal with it.

animeme

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 5:31 pm

I would nurse him immediately after. During, he might bite you.

amother

Cyan

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 6:05 pm

Frumdoc wrote:

Try it out. Sometimes they even suggest it as a way of keeping the baby calm.

Unless it is your blood test, where it is perfectly feasible but might get in the way!

It is his blood test Smile

That's why I'd like to do it, to keep him calm...just wondering if it is logistically possible!

abaker

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 6:06 pm

Totally possible!

greenhelm

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 6:14 pm

I would think it would depend on whoever is doing the bloodwork - some people need their patient positioned just so to get a good poke.

notshanarishona

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 8:31 pm

I have not been allowed b/c they are afraid of the baby choking from crying from drinking.

amother

Cyan

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 8:36 pm

notshanarishona wrote:

I have not been allowed b/c they are afraid of the baby choking from crying from drinking.

I don't get that...I often nurse my baby when he's crying to calm him down. Usually he stops crying to nurse. If not, he stops nursing to cry. He doesn't do both at once.

Ema of 5

Wed, Jun 17 2015, 8:37 pm

I would think it would be the same recommendation as with vaccines- nurse AFTER as a comfort from the very short discomfort. My brain is not fully functioning right now, but I know there is something about the association with nursing DURING the vaccinating vs nursing immediately after.

amother

Slategray

Thu, Jun 18 2015, 12:33 am

When my 1 year old got his blood test it was a finger prick, not a needle like an adult blood test, and he didn't even feel anything. He was watching the nurse squeeze blood from his finger with curiosity.

It's not as painful as a vaccine, for most children, and I don't think you have to worry. If he does get upset for sure nurse after. I think at 1 anyway, distraction through toys, funny voices etc. would work just as well if not better.

June

Thu, Jun 18 2015, 2:25 am

My 1 year old had a blood test a few weeks ago. it was a regular needle at the elbow. she sat on my lap, I held her other hand out of the way, and the nurse did the draw. my baby was fine, didn't cry or anything. (I was very nearly crying, watching the blood draw.)

chatz

Thu, Jun 18 2015, 3:24 am

If it's a prick, there's really no need. But if it's a real blood draw, including tieing off to get a vein, etc, then the comfort would be good but I can see it getting in the way.. I would ask whoever is doing the blood test

luppamom

Thu, Jun 18 2015, 3:46 am

I nursed during 9 month vaccinations. It worked really well and baby hardly realized she got a shot. She was very hungry, which I'm sure also helped.

During her blood test (a finger prick and then squeeze) at 10 mos., she was totally fine and didn't cry at all. If you don't make a big deal about it and just act like it's normal, your baby will likely be fine. (The baby after mine did cry, but not for very long.)

Babies play on the floor and get hurt when trying to crawl and cruise. I doubt a little pinch phases them that much. Immunizations s/t actually hurt for more than a second, so it makes sense that babies cry.

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