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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there needs to be a different way to test young kids

36 replies

Fifimoomon · 10/08/2021 18:43

DS (2.5) has a cough, again. So got a PCR test booked, again. It's the third one in the last four months. He's at nursery so is constantly picking up bugs and getting temperatures and coughs. He absolutely hates it, we have to pin him down and swab his nostrils while he cries his eyes out. The poor sod now cries whenever we even walk past the test centre.

I have tried and tried with him this evening with a swab, trying to get him to do it himself or let me do it, but he grabs it, licks it, will stick it up his nose but only for a second (and then grabs it again anyway). So pinning him down is the only way.

Surely we can come up with something better for young kids? Salvia tests? My poor kid is going to be permanently traumatised if we have to do this once a month forever!

OP posts:
Peachi82 · 10/08/2021 18:49

Don't know if in the UK, but there are lolly tests available and tests where you just need some saliva.

I hate testing my DS.

Camomila · 10/08/2021 18:50

Do you have a car? The way we test DS2 (18m, goes to nursery and catches bugs all the time) Is to book them for mid morning and hope he falls asleep in the carseat. Then even if he wakes up after one nostril, at least he's restrained.

Snack or cbeebies on my phone straight after.

Original poster
Fifimoomon · 10/08/2021 19:53

Just googled the lollipop tests, they would be absolutely perfect! No mention of them being available here anytime soon though.

No car unfortunately.

I wonder if we will always have to do tests now...might be worth campaigning for better methods.

OP posts:
44PumpLane · 10/08/2021 20:31

I agree you need to do it when he's asleep if he is that affected by it.... Is that at all a possibility?

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 10/08/2021 20:38

Get the test sent to your house and do it while he is asleep.

Hope he feels better soon.

OutOfTrousers · 10/08/2021 20:39

Get the test sent to your house and do it while he is asleep.
Sounds like an excellent way to make him scared of being asleep…

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 10/08/2021 20:41

Can you do his throat instead? It's less uncomfortable than the nostrils.

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 10/08/2021 20:41

Sounds like an excellent way to make him scared of being asleep…

Not really, I've done this a few times with my dc, they aren't aware at all... because they are asleep Confused

adagio · 10/08/2021 20:42

Wouldn’t the poor kid wake up with a swab jammed up his nose. Recipe for nightmares for the rest of his life surely?

Chocolateemergency · 10/08/2021 20:48

Couldn’t agree more! I have a 3.5 year old and it takes two of us to pin her head down and do the test and that’s whilst she is already restrained in her car seat.

I’m damn sure half the time we aren’t even swabbing for as long as we’re meant to because it is so traumatic for everyone involved.

Original poster
Fifimoomon · 10/08/2021 20:49

Right at the start of testing I did manage a very quick swab of one nostril when he was asleep, but no where near the amount of time you're meant to do it for as he moved/swiped at it within a couple of seconds, even in deep sleep. I got a result but thought it was pretty pointless, I doubt it was a good enough sample to pick up the virus.

And the swabs have changed now, they used to be thicker so easier to just kind of pop in and twirl round without worrying about hurting him. The tips are much thinner and more pokey now.

There is absolutely no way I could do his tonsils.

OP posts:
Doodlefare · 10/08/2021 20:49

I order home tests and then just swaddle and go for it, not ideal but has to be done at the moment.

Chocolateemergency · 10/08/2021 20:50

I also tried doing it on my child whilst she was sleeping and she woke up as soon as it went up the first nostril. I felt like the screaming was significantly worse on that occasion as well.

Sirzy · 10/08/2021 20:51

It takes seconds. It not nice but a big hug and do it followed by something tasty.

TheGriffle · 10/08/2021 20:53

There does need to be a better way. It is traumatic to have to shove a swab up their noses. Dd is 4 now and it took me over half an hour to test her with her screaming, thrashing and crying. There would be no way in hell I could get it to her tonsils as well. She’s a strong bugger and kept swiping my hand away when I tried to do it.

butwhatcanwedo · 10/08/2021 20:55

I agree it isn’t ok to have to physically restrain children and force a stick up their noses. My youngest is nearly 3, it’s basically impossible to do the test. I really object to having to hurt her and I hope it isn’t giving her a long term fear of medical procedures

Doodlefare · 10/08/2021 21:02

I don't think it'll have long term effects, DS has had to have a load of medical procedures, and we had to restrain him for a while to administer his inhalers a few times a day. Admittedly testing isn't as essential as those, but it won't be forever.

Original poster
Fifimoomon · 10/08/2021 21:03

It takes two of us to do DS, have to get his dad to come with us (we aren't together) and wrap him in a towel with arms pinned down and head held while I do the swab while he sobs. It's fucking horrible, and I can't even tell him it's to make him better like I do with other medical stuff like jabs. I was tearful myself last time.

I've just been googling salvia tests, you can buy them online, though they are expensive, but next time I think I'll try those. Just need to get him to practice spitting in a tube!! And save up Hmm

OP posts:
whatswithtodaytoday · 10/08/2021 21:04

I completely agree, if there is an easier way it should be made available for young children. Mine cries when he sees the testing centre too. We have tried doing it when he's asleep but he wakes up immediately and thrashes around, it's no better than two of us holding him down.

However, we were recently in hospital with him and were tested on admittance, and the nurse did the fastest, most perfunctory swipe at his nose - I figure they must know they get enough in a couple of seconds to test positive, as they surely don't want to risk a Covid+ child on the children's ward.

Original poster
Fifimoomon · 10/08/2021 21:06

Sorry to hear that doodlefare, I'm glad your boy is ok.

I think covid testing might be required for a really long time though.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 10/08/2021 21:09

You can just tell him something like “it’s to test how strong he is” or even “to check if you need some medicine”

I get it’s tough, I have had to put DS tjough some horrible tests and procedures BUT a key part is as far as the child is concerned staying nice and calm and positive.

Original poster
Fifimoomon · 10/08/2021 21:09

whatswithtodaytoday that's interesting. I've been trying to do it for the set amount of time when I do it, my thinking is if I'm going to put DS through it I might as well do it properly. Maybe I'll do a quicker go tomorrow!

OP posts:
Cardboardeaux · 10/08/2021 21:10

Completely agree. When they start to roll back the mass testing programme I hope they prioritise exempting under 5s from being tested. It feels like such an invasive procedure for little children, particularly as covid is so low risk for them in 99% of cases

Original poster
Fifimoomon · 10/08/2021 21:11

Thanks Sirzy, sorry to hear that. You're right, I need to be calm and breezy. I always bring biscuits and chocolate for after, he does calm down after five minutes.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 10/08/2021 21:12

@Fifimoomon

Thanks Sirzy, sorry to hear that. You're right, I need to be calm and breezy. I always bring biscuits and chocolate for after, he does calm down after five minutes.
I often describe myself as being like a swan, calm on the surface but paddling like mad underneath to keep going
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