When my daughter was about 2.5 the nurses started sitting her up instead of holding her down. I think for any child, no matter the age, being restrained is a HUGE part of the terror they feel. I mean I know I would feel more scared seeings these people coming at me and not knowing what the heck was coming. When she was born up until this part she always had a very hard time being stuck at her blood draws. Like you said, nothing helps distract.

The first time she sat up was in the hospitals lab, and she sat in one of their chairs, just like an adult would on her Dad’s lap. Since she could fully see what was going on, and knew what was coming she just sat there and watched. She was fascinated by it all actually. Since then she’s had one other blood draw sitting up, in my lap with a pillow under her arm for support. (Anything else and she just freaks out) Of course there are still people holding her, but it’s not a full out arms and legs pin down. She started crying a little when they first stuck her, but after we started asking her questions about her favorite things and showing her that it was her blood filling the syringe she was really fascinated!

Next time they take her blood ask them if she can sit up, without being restrained. The nurses looked at me like I had two heads after I told them I wanted them to draw her blood sitting up. They figured it would be a lot harder that way. They were amazed at how well she did! They actually said they’ve not had a child take it as well as she has before.

Good Luck!