Timing proves essential when supporting the child through reducing fear and increasing control. While time can be saved by allowing parents to put on a topical anesthetic patch at home, it can also be perceived as a disadvantage, because children often need time to familiarize themselves with the new environment: I often think that they are helped as soon as they are given local anesthetic and may be in the playroom [at the hospital] and during the time for the local anesthetic to work they play and feel more at home.