DD#1 has just had blood tests and it was horrific.

I was just as big a mess as her. She was kicking, screaming, sobbing, carrying on like a pork chop as she remembered from her September blood tests that it hurts a little bit. Problem is that it looks like she will need blood tests again soon.

Any suggestions with how to make the situation not so bad, when the paed wants more blood tests.

Emla cream! It should be standard for all blood tests on kids. It numbs the skin and they can't feel it. All hospitals and health clinics have it on hand.

now that shes had the bad experience but it'll be tough trying to get her to sit calm through it. Can she be distracted with books?

I had a nurse who had a great technique with dd... she held the syringe kind of back to front so that her hand was covering the needle. dd didnt even know it was happening.

Can I get Emla Cream from the chemist over the counter.

I might be able to condition her to it by using it on her before hand so that she realises that it won't hurt.

You could ask, I'm not sure if its available over the counter.

I'm really surprised they didnt use it on her already. Everywhere I've worked its common practice.