Comfort Positions for Lab Draws for Children, Ages 2-5 Years

Reviewed by Child Life​

​​As hard as you try, it can be difficult to reassure a child that the doctor's office isn't something to be afraid of. At Boys Town National Research Hospital and Medical Clinics, we want to help provide an emotionally safe experience for your child and for you. Whether it's a simple examination, a blood draw or another procedure, these comfort positions can help calm and reassure children and teens.

Comfort Positions for Children (Ages 2 to 5 Years)

Studies have shown that children report feeling less pain during needle procedures when they're allowed to sit up or be held by their parent or caregiver. Boys Town Child Life recommends the following comfort positions for lab draws, with some minor modifications to account for your child's size.

• ​Back-to-Chest
• Place your child in your lap facing forward
• Wrap your arms around your child and hold their arms with yours and try to keep their back and bottom pressed firmly next to you
• Allow the arm they will use for the lab draw to come out from under your arm and make sure you hold on to it so your child doesn't try to reach for the needle
• ​​Use your legs to “scissor" your child's legs or a nurse or provider can lean against your child's legs to prevent kicking
• Hug your child firmly and offer some form of distraction when possible

• Side-sit
• Child sits sideways on your lap, either in a chair or on exam table
• Tuck one of your child's arms in front of them and leave their other arm out for the lab draw
• Make sure you hold on to the free arm so your child doesn't try to reach for the needle
• ​Use your legs to “scissor" your child's legs or a nurse or providers can lean against your child's legs to prevent kicking
• Hold your child firmly and offer some form of distraction when possible

• Side-hug
• Sit next to your child and wrap one arm around them behind their back
• Use the arm wrapped around them to help secure their arm for the lab draw
• Use your free hand to hold their second arm close to their body and out of the way