Infant Heel Warmers for Neonatal Blood Collection

Getting a clean capillary sample from a newborn depends on good perfusion — and cold little heels don't bleed well. Infant heel warmers gently raise skin temperature at the puncture site so blood flows freely, reducing the need for repeat sticks and the crying that comes with them. That's why NICUs, nurseries, and pediatric labs keep them on hand for routine heelstick procedures like metabolic (PKU) screening, bilirubin checks, and glucose testing.

We stock the Cardinal Health Infant Heel Warmer (11460-010T), a disposable, single-use pack sized to fit most infant heels. It activates instantly through a safe chemical reaction — no plug, no warming cabinet, no waiting — so staff can position it in seconds when a sample is needed. The 4" x 4" design wraps comfortably around the foot and delivers controlled, gentle warmth for the few minutes it takes to prep the site.

Caregivers often ask how long to leave a heel warmer in place: most protocols call for roughly three to five minutes of warming before the stick, and because these are single-use, each infant gets a fresh, hygienic pack. The instant activation matters in busy units where samples can't wait for equipment to heat up.

Heel warmers are just one part of neonatal and lower-limb care. If you're outfitting for pressure relief or positioning in other patient populations, explore our Heel & Elbow Protectors and Heel-Float collections for offloading and skin protection options.