I know exactly what you mean. It doesn’t normally hurt except when they do it in weird locations like my forearm or hand. I use the butterfly needles too. I didn’t really know that there was a difference until my aunt told me. She’s training to be a phebotomist (is that what’s it’s called?). It would be cool if I could get my aunt to do it like your niece because I have a feeling she would know exactly what to do, but she lives in a different state and that’s not very convenient. 
And I too hope that my A1C is perfect 
