Returning home test and toddler

[Maltay]

hi, I ordered a home test for the family yesterday (DD had some settling in sessions at nursery and has started with a cough as I feared she would). Has anyone had to test their toddler? What was it like, was it painful for them? (we can't go to the drive through as she is 20months old).
Also does a courier deliver your test or royal mail? And how do you return the test if you can't leave your house to post it?

Thanks Jan advance

Disclaimer: I can't find the answer on the NHS website or google.Sorry if this has been asked before I have looked and can't find the answer

[weepingwillow22]

I am not sure about testing toddlers but a courier delivered my test and I booked another courier on the NHS site to collect it.

[Maltay]

Thank you @weepingwillow22.. just want to try and get things done as quickly as possible!

[Scanner20]

I've tested my toddler 2years 4mths and waiting for the courier to collect. We waited until he was sleeping last night and then did it, I thought it might have been easier as he sleeps with his mouth open most of the time. He woke but I managed to do it although not for the 10 seconds they have said. Throat and then nose. It's all in the detailed instructions they give you. He started coughing Wednesday evening, I ordered the rest Thursday morning.

[Scanner20]

He wasn't happy about it at all, dh cuddled him while I packed the test away and then he was asleep in a few minutes when I had him. So around 5/6 minutes of being unsettled but he had just woken up. Its not pleasant for them but it's such a short time and it's over. He's woken up this morning his normal happy self.

[namechangeindiana]

Awful experience here but they forget very quickly. Make sure there are two of you there, one to distract and hold head still and one to swab. We didn't bother with throat swab as would've been impossible.

[Maltay]

Thanks for all the replies it's really useful.. in just one of those people that like to know exactly what's going to happen

[Scanner20]

Royal Mail collected it at 8.30, not sure when the result will come. You have to make sure to register online when the test has been completed as that needs to be done so they can send results. I've read different time scales, hope by Monday evening so my DD can return to pre school Tuesday all being well. I hope your toddler isn't too poorly and recovers soon 😊

[drinkingwineoutofamug]

Did swab last Tuesday, collected the Wednesday morning, results came through Friday evening by text.
Hope you and you family are ok

[Maltay]

Thanks for all your kind messages, we only have very mild symptoms, me more than DD. I suspected this would happen as soon as she went near nursery... I just feel bad for my employer because I was due to return to work from furlough on Monday. Plus this could easily happen again! Why do I feel so guilty for doing the right thing?!

[Scanner20]

Don't feel guilty, it is the right thing to do.

[yomommasmomma]

We went to a drive in test centre and I swabbed my 5 and 1 year old in the car. It was tricky but really not that bad and we got the results back exactly 24 hours later. Altogether a great service. If I was you I would go to the drive in test centre, much quicker turn around than at home testing which can take a week.

[Maltay]

They won't let me! Maybe it's just the area? They said DD is too young it has to be a home test, I even called then back and asked again.
So I rang 7pm Friday and the test is being delivered 8pm tonight.. that means i can't book a return courier until 8am tomorrow as the website shuts at 4pm and they won't pick it up til Tuesday..I hope don't have to do this too many times I can imagine our employers getting fed up quick.

[yomommasmomma]

That's so strange, it must be different rules for different areas. We are west London and used testing site at earls court. Maybe try booking a test centre further away?

[Scanner20]

I ordered the test at 8.30am on Thursday, test arrived 3pm Friday (said 8pm on the email) so I logged on to book courier straight away then and was ok to book for Saturday. Then logged we'd done the test Friday night. Hopefully your tests arrive before 4pm.
Can I ask how old your toddler is? As I thought after the wait next time I'd book a drive thru test.

[Maltay]

She's 20months. We live in Lincolnshire somaybe bring rural or somewhere with low numbers of cases means their protocol is different? Who knows, I'm just a bit disappointed as I follow the news and it sounded so positive about how quick the testing process is

[TuckMyWin]

I did my 5 year old last week. It's not fun, and I didn't manage to swab for the 10 seconds it says, but the result came back negative, not invalid, so I think just do the best you can. It's probably easier at home with someone else to help than trying to pin them down in the front seat of the car. The people at the testing centre said the most important thing is to not touch the tongue or cheeks with the swab as it can invalidate the test.

[Scanner20]

Ok, maybe it is an area thing. Yes I quickly did the throat swab and I'm pretty sure I was quick enough so hope it's enough and not invalid. If some test centres just do the nose then perhaps that's the best way. Hard to know when it's all so new to us. I wish it was a bit quicker, had it been Sunday/Monday it would be the whole week out of work etc if a negative result.
Yes I think it would be difficult in the car too.

[yomommasmomma]

It was difficult until the car! On some way though having them in their car seats helped, as they couldn't get away!!

[Scanner20]

I did think that the car seat may help. Anyway test result text came and it's negative.

[Maltay]

We were all negative! We're free until the next time DD gets a bug...