Hematologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Preparing a child for a blood test or marrow test | CION Cancer Clinics
Tell your child the truth, briefly and shortly before the test: it will feel like a quick pinch, you will stay close, and they have one job, such as holding your hand. Ask about numbing cream when you arrive. A bone marrow test is different, and children are often asleep for it. This page covers what to say, what to bring, and what to ask the team. At CION Cancer Clinics, our haematologist cares for anaemia, bleeding, clotting and inherited blood disorders, with ArogyaSri, CGHS and cashless insurance accepted.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Basudev PokhrelConsultant Haematologist · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- How do you prepare a frightened child for a blood test?
- What works for a toddler, a school child and a teenager?
- What should you do before, during and after the blood test?
- How is a bone marrow test different for a child?
- What should you say, and what should you avoid saying?
- What do families often worry about that is not true?
- What should you carry to the test?
- Common questions about children and blood tests
The short answer
How do you prepare a frightened child for a blood test?
Tell your child the truth, briefly and calmly, shortly before the test. Say it will feel like a quick pinch, that you will stay with them, and give them one job to do, such as holding your hand or blowing bubbles.
Why honesty works better than surprise
Children cope with a short, sharp feeling far better than with a broken promise. If you say "it will not hurt" and it does, the next test becomes harder. If you say "you will feel a pinch, and then it is over", the child finds that you were right, and trusts you next time.
How much warning to give
Younger children do not need much notice, because long waiting builds fear. Tell a toddler on the way, or just before. An older child or a teenager usually wants more warning and more detail, and may want a say in which arm is used.
Your own calm matters most
Children read their parent's face. If you are anxious, it is fine to let another calm adult sit closest to the child. You are not failing by doing this. You are giving your child a steady person to look at.
By age
What works for a toddler, a school child and a teenager?
Every child is different. These are starting points that paediatric nurses commonly use.
Babies and toddlers
They cannot understand an explanation, but they feel your touch. Hold them in a cuddle position on your lap if the nurse agrees.
Helps with
- Breastfeeding or a feed, if allowed
- A favourite toy or song
- Bubbles or a light-up toy
School-age children
They want to know what will happen and in what order. Use simple words and let them practise on a doll or teddy at home.
Helps with
- A job: counting, squeezing a ball
- A choice: which arm, look or look away
- A cartoon on your phone
Teenagers
They may hide fear behind silence or irritation. Treat them as a partner. Let them ask the nurse their own questions, and ask whether they want you in the room at all.
Some teenagers faint at the sight of blood. Ask to lie down for the test if this has happened before.Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistOn the day
What should you do before, during and after the blood test?
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Check the instructions the night before
Most blood tests for children need no fasting. Some do. Ask the doctor or laboratory, and do not stop any medicine unless the treating team has told you to.
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Give plenty of water and dress warmly
A child who has drunk well and is warm has fuller veins, which makes the needle easier to place. Choose loose sleeves that roll up easily.
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Ask about a numbing cream or spray
Many clinics can put a numbing cream on the skin before the test. It needs time to work, so ask when you arrive, not when you are called in.
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During the test, stay close and keep it short
Hold your child firmly and gently, in the position the nurse suggests. Talk about something else. Avoid long speeches about being brave, which keep the child's attention on the needle.
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Afterwards, praise the coping, not the silence
Crying is allowed. Praise your child for holding still or for trying. A small reward that was promised beforehand, such as a sticker or a favourite snack, helps them remember the day as finished and survived.
If a marrow test is advised
How is a bone marrow test different for a child?
A bone marrow test takes a small sample of the soft tissue inside a bone, usually from the back of the hip. For children it is very often done under sedation or a general anaesthetic, so the child is asleep and does not remember the procedure. The team who does the test decides this.
What you can ask beforehand
Ask where the test will be done and who will do it. Ask whether your child will be asleep, how long they must go without food and drink, and whether you can stay until they fall asleep and be there when they wake. Write the fasting instructions down, because they matter for safety.
What to tell your child
Tell a young child they will have a special sleep while the doctor checks their blood factory, and that you will be there when they wake. An older child can be told more: that the hip will feel sore, like a bruise, for a short while afterwards.
Who this advice does not suit
A child with a serious fear of needles, autism, or a past bad experience may need a planned approach from a play specialist or child psychologist. Tell the team early so they can prepare.
CION's haematology team reviews a child's case and coordinates marrow tests with qualified paediatric centres where needed.Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
Words that help
What should you say, and what should you avoid saying?
Try saying
Instead of
"You will feel a quick pinch, then it is done."
"It will not hurt at all."
"The doctor needs a little blood to help you feel better."
"If you are naughty, you will get an injection."
"You can cry. Your job is to keep your arm still."
"Big boys and girls do not cry."
"Your body makes new blood all the time."
Saying nothing when the child asks where the blood goes
Commonly believed
What do families often worry about that is not true?
"Taking blood will make my child weak."
The amount taken for tests is small, and a child's body replaces it quickly. Tiredness after a test is usually from crying and stress, not from the blood taken. If your child is already very pale or weak, tell the doctor, because that is a sign worth checking.
"It is kinder not to tell the child until the last second."
A short, honest warning is kinder. A child who is grabbed without explanation learns that clinics are frightening places, and the next visit is harder for everyone.
"If my child struggles, the test will fail."
Paediatric nurses are used to children who wriggle and cry. Sometimes a second try is needed. Holding your child in a comfort position usually makes the test quicker and less upsetting than holding them down.
"A bone marrow test is a kind of operation on the spine."
The sample usually comes from the hip bone, not the spine. It is a short procedure through a needle, with no stitches in most cases. Ask the team to explain the site and the plan for comfort.
Packing list
What should you carry to the test?
- The doctor's test request and any earlier blood reports
- A water bottle, and a snack for after if fasting was needed
- A favourite toy, blanket or book
- A charged phone with a cartoon ready to play
- A small reward promised beforehand
- A list of your child's medicines and allergies
Questions we are asked
Common questions about children and blood tests
Should I stay in the room during my child's blood test?
For most children, yes. A parent's touch and voice are the strongest comfort a child has. If you feel faint or very anxious, it is fine to ask another calm family member to stay instead. Teenagers may prefer privacy, so ask them what they want rather than deciding for them.
Can I ask for a numbing cream?
Yes, and it is worth asking. Many clinics and laboratories can apply a numbing cream or spray to the skin before the needle. The cream needs time to work, so ask as soon as you arrive. It does not suit every situation, and the nurse will tell you if it is not possible that day.
What if the nurse cannot find a vein?
This happens, especially in small or dehydrated children. The nurse may warm the arm, try the other arm or the back of the hand, or ask a more experienced colleague. If several attempts fail, it is reasonable to ask for a pause so your child can calm down before trying again.
My child had a bad experience last time. What now?
Tell the staff before you start. Talk with your child about what felt worst, and plan one change together, such as numbing cream, sitting on your lap, or looking away. For strong fear, ask your doctor whether a child psychologist or play specialist can help before the next test.
Is it safe to give a sweet as a reward after the test?
For most children, yes, as long as the test did not need fasting that continues for another test the same day. If your child has diabetes or a condition where diet matters, choose a non-food reward. Stickers, a small toy or extra play time work just as well for many children.
Will my child be asleep for a bone marrow test?
Very often, yes. Children usually have sedation or a general anaesthetic for a marrow test, but the decision rests with the team doing it. Ask them directly, and ask for the food and drink instructions in writing. Following those instructions exactly keeps the anaesthetic safe.
How will my child feel after a marrow test?
The hip may feel sore or bruised for a short while, and your child may be sleepy from the sedation. Most children rest at home afterwards. Ask the team which pain relief is suitable, and call them if you see bleeding through the dressing, a fever, or pain that is getting worse.
What can this page not tell me?
It cannot tell you which tests your child needs, whether fasting is required, or whether sedation is right for your child. Those decisions belong to the doctors who know your child's health. Use this page to prepare your child emotionally, and take your practical questions to the treating team.
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Dr. Basudev Pokhrel reviews blood counts, transfusion needs and blood disorders, and works with the CION tumour board on blood cancers.
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Sources
- NHS — Blood tests
- NHS — Bone marrow biopsy
- Cancer Research UK — Bone marrow test
- NHLBI — Blood Tests
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
When a Child's Blood Report Needs a SpecialistWhat the result may mean and who to see nextNormal Blood Counts in Children by AgeRead your child's counts against the right age rangeLow Platelets in a Child: ITP or WorseA common reason for repeat tests in childrenBenign Haematology in ChildrenAll children's blood topics in one place
Talk to us
Worried about a test your child needs?
Call the helpline. CION's haematology team can explain why a test has been advised and what to ask the centre doing it. One helpline serves every CION centre.