My son also has very hard draws. Someone on the board recommended EMLA and we loved it. The lab techs however, did not. They said it constricts the veins and makes the draws even harder. It was a tough call because I feel so bad for the little guy I want to get him any pain relief available. However, if it makes the draws harder, I think one painful one might be better than 5 that he can't "feel". (He gets so worked up just being held). Now I use the EMLA for things like immunizations but not for draws. Tough call! We have found one tech who is the best and we request her by name. She is actually flattered by it and gets a little positive kidding from her co-workers about how we only go to her. She has been able to get him in one to two sticks (rather than 4 or 5 and finally in the forehead ugh!)