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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Covid test on baby

86 replies

Namechngeforthis · 07/07/2021 19:41

Would you allow a PCR test to be done on an 11 month old? (No close contact with a positive case and no symptoms but it’s been requested)

She has had a negative lateral flow at home done by me and was very very distressed

Yabu- just do the test
Yanbu- I wouldn’t allow it

OP posts:
User5827372728 · 07/07/2021 19:54

You do the pcr test yourself and it’s only nose

mummydoingamasters · 07/07/2021 19:56

absolutely, a few seconds of discomfort for peace of mind. My 1 year old has had 4 now unfortunately for various reasons and she's been fine every time

Camomila · 07/07/2021 19:56

Namechngeforthis even at a test centre parents swab children not staff.

MindyStClaire · 07/07/2021 19:57

I would happily do my one year old if needed, I've done my three year old a few times. Have never tried the throat and never been anywhere near 15s (or 5s in truth) in the nostrils and always got a result.

But in your shoes I'd want more clarification on why they wanted one, it doesn't seem necessary at all and so I wouldn't do it until I was satisfied there was an actual benefit.

Poppins2016 · 07/07/2021 19:58

In your shoes I think I'd be asking the nursery to provide the relevant guidance from the local health protection team showing that a PCR test is necessary (the nursery won't be able to show you anything to back up their position!).

The government website provides clear guidance on testing and isolation here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/what-parents-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-covid-19#symptoms-testing-and-self-isolation

SarcasmQueen · 07/07/2021 19:59

@Namechngeforthis

Apparently you try the throat and if not possible you do nostrils, for 15 seconds I think it says
For this age its the nose only for a PCR. I took my daughter to have one at a test centre, she was upset for a minute or so but got over it with cuddles.

Does seem odd if it's not her bubble, what's the point in the bubbles if they want everyone to test anyway. Plus PARS are supposed to be for symptomatic people unless requested by track and trace.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 07/07/2021 19:59

I would and have done them with good reason.

But your child is not symptomatic and is not in close contact with/bubbled with a positive case, so its unnecessary to subject them to that. The nursery are being batshit.

bananamonkey · 07/07/2021 20:00

DD2 has had it done twice as she’s had a temperature and it was required to return to nursery. Once about 12 months and once 15 months. If you go to a drive in centre you administer the test yourself by sitting in the back. You only need to do nostrils on small children, it’s not pleasant but over quickly.

SarcasmQueen · 07/07/2021 20:01

*PCRs not pars Confused

Jesusmaryjosephandtheweedon · 07/07/2021 20:02

I think I would challenge their policy. Or request why they think it is necessary? Was there some cross over in the bubbles?

But be prepared for them to exclude her until you comply or the isolation period has passed.

Babynames2 · 07/07/2021 20:02

If they actually had symptoms then I would, but otherwise no! And even as a close contact it’s not necessary unless you develop symptoms in isolation. I would just keep her off for the isolation period if they’re insisting (and it’s possible for you to do so).

HarveySpectorWins · 07/07/2021 20:02

Sorry maybe I'm being silly here but what's the difference from the lateral flow to pcr?
At the drive in centre you do it yourself anyway and I believe you can just do their nose the same?

No I wouldn't be happy about it, but if you've done a LFT I don't see how it much different.

Original poster
Namechngeforthis · 07/07/2021 20:02

Those of you who have been to a test centre for a pcr, and aren’t taking about lateral flow tests done at home, did you do the test yourself on your baby at the test centre or was it done by someone else?

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechngeforthis · 07/07/2021 20:03

The aren’t asking for isolation, but want everyone tested

OP posts:
Sciurus83 · 07/07/2021 20:04

I also would qnd have done them, it's just nose at that age and unpleasant but over and got over quickly. It does seem weird they've asked in these circumstances if the staff member was another class/room. Why do they think your child is a close contact? I also thought PCR was for symptomatic or close contact so would ask nursery for some more reasoning. In principle I would probably do it though as my experience was it wasn't that bad (18 months at the time) but I know others didn't have that experience.

ChannelJackieWeaver · 07/07/2021 20:04

No way. She does not meet the criteria for a test anyway? Nursery need to get real!

Original poster
Namechngeforthis · 07/07/2021 20:05

@Sciurus83

I also would qnd have done them, it's just nose at that age and unpleasant but over and got over quickly. It does seem weird they've asked in these circumstances if the staff member was another class/room. Why do they think your child is a close contact? I also thought PCR was for symptomatic or close contact so would ask nursery for some more reasoning. In principle I would probably do it though as my experience was it wasn't that bad (18 months at the time) but I know others didn't have that experience.
They don’t think she’s is a close contact
OP posts:
ChannelJackieWeaver · 07/07/2021 20:05

I took my baby to the test centre and had to do the test. It was not fun.

Sciurus83 · 07/07/2021 20:05

Oh yes you test the baby yourself at the test centre. Much easier if two of you go, one to drive one to sit in back and do test. Keep them restrained in the car seat when you do it and plenty of nice snacks, songs and toys for after

Zhampagne · 07/07/2021 20:06

@Namechngeforthis

Nursery requested. as a staff member from another class has tested positive. She has not been in contact with her and they are in different ‘bubbles’. It has not been put across like it is optional.
Nursery wouldn’t usually have the authority to request surge PCR testing. Has it come from the council health protection team?
Sciurus83 · 07/07/2021 20:07

Yes I think I'm getting at the same thing as ChannelJackieWeaver, she's not eligible for a PCR in those circumstances surely?

MindatWork · 07/07/2021 20:09

This is mental op and completely out of order for nursery to request this. Also pointless as people could be incubating it but still test negative. You’re not supposed to test with a pcr unless you have symptoms and all those in the bubble need to isolate.

Also, don’t you need to isolate with her while you wait for results? What about people who have to work etc?

BarbarianMum · 07/07/2021 20:10

I would but then my babies could be "very, very distressed" by a nappy change if they were in the wrong mood and I just got on with that too. It's just a nasal swab.

sempiternal · 07/07/2021 20:11

I work in a nursery, when we've had positive cases all close contacts have to isolate for ten days. Those who aren't contacts carry on as normal. We only request children have a PCR test if they have symptoms.

I can't work out why your nursery are asking parents to test children who don't have symptoms?

pigglepot · 07/07/2021 20:11

@Namechngeforthis

Those of you who have been to a test centre for a pcr, and aren’t taking about lateral flow tests done at home, did you do the test yourself on your baby at the test centre or was it done by someone else?
Had to do it ourselves. I think that might actually be worse as out DD was utterly terrified and didn't understand why he was doing it.