Comfort Positions for Lab Draws for Teenagers, Ages 13+ 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 Teenagers (Ages 13+ Years)

There are lots of teenagers who also experience anxiety with needle procedures and that's okay, we're here to support you.

• Back-to-Chest
  
• Your teen may find comfort sitting and leaning up against you for support
• Hold hands and arms of your teen in tight hug with your arms and hands, providing support as needed
• Allow the arm they will use for the lab draw to come over the top of your arm
• Hug your child firmly and use distraction or guide them in taking slow, deep breaths

• Side-sit
  
• Your teen may find comfort with you sitting beside them on an exam table with your arm wrapped around them
• Have your teen tuck their free arm in front of them and help them hold it against their chest
• Hold your child firmly if needed and offer some form of distraction or guide them in taking slow, deep breaths

• Side-stand
• Stand next to your teen and wrap one arm around them behind their back
• Use the arm wrapped around them to help secure their arm having the lab draw
• Use your free hand to hold their second arm close to their body and out of the way
• Some teens prefer to lean into their caregiver in a hug position for support