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AIBU?

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Original poster

Lateral flow testing before visiting my new baby

207 replies

Neleh91 · 28/10/2021 13:07

Hello, I’m thinking ahead I know but lots of people I know just seen to be getting covid recently.
My partner and I have decided that once baby is here ( due dec ) that if anyone wants to visit, we would ask them to do a home test first just to protect baby. My family and his would have NO issues with this but some of my friends are a bit strange about the vaccine.. testing etc.. I mentioned to one of them and she thinks it’s not fair to ask people to do that. Just wonders what everyone thinks? Is it too much.. I just feel like it’s safer for baby.

OP posts:
BrilliantBulb · 28/10/2021 13:34

It’s surely better that they don’t visit at all.
How it that better? If an extremely quick, easy and free test puts the new parent’s mind at ease and means you still get to go and support them then that’s obviously the best option.

It’s the sake of a few minutes and a swab in the nose (new ones don’t need the throat swab) vs sitting at home twiddling your thumbs.

NightOwl19 · 28/10/2021 13:35

That's exactly what we done when our baby was born at the start of the year, no one complained

itsgettingwierd · 28/10/2021 13:35

I think it's fine.

But my has chemo every week and I always test before visiting her.

Makes sense to me to protect your family and friends where you can.

Anyone who won't can visit next spring when hopefully we are further through this.

I'd be especially cautious around winter time too.

Congratulations btw Grin

Ladyraven0483 · 28/10/2021 13:37

Had a baby myself in the pandemic last October, personally don’t think your being unreasonable but then again you could take your baby to the shops and catch covid, I understand the caution though I only asked visitors washed their hands before holding and didn’t kiss baby, odviously if your ill or feeling unwell don’t visit. Some people might think your being a bit ott but it takes seconds to do a test so I probably would if someone asked me to and wouldn’t have any problem but you might find some people just won’t visit

BrilliantBulb · 28/10/2021 13:38

No one would suggest that to you @daisypond because it’s up to you to decide your own risks. You could be asking visitors to wear masks too if you want, but no one’s going to be telling you to do that.

Some people’s work places and schools/colleges etc are providing them but you can also order them direct from the Gov: www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

Anothernamechange3 · 28/10/2021 13:38

Are you going to ask to see proof of a negative test or take their word for it that they’ve done one?

RestingStitchFace · 28/10/2021 13:38

If I was a visitor and the baby parents asked me to do this, I would have no problem whatsoever. Entirely sensible precaution to protect a little one....

Bobsyer · 28/10/2021 13:38

I think it’s fine. My sister had a baby recently and we did this before visiting - she didn’t need to ask, it just seemed sensible?

itsgettingwierd · 28/10/2021 13:38

@daisypond

Do people regularly do lateral flow tests? I’ve never done one. I’m double jabbed and had the booster jab, though. I’ve had a few PCR tests, though.
I've had covid. I'm double jabbed.

I have to do LFT twice a week for work, always do them before any swim meets when I'm helping poolside and always before I visit my parents.

I do think people who have just got use to doing them for work or whatever are probably less against doing them. It's just become something we do!

thehairyhog · 28/10/2021 13:40

I wouldn't mind doing one, and we do it before seeing grandparents sometimes as dd is at school (not old enough for vaccine so high risk to pass it on).

But I wouldn't ask people to do this personally, only perhaps if they'd recently seen someone who'd then tested positive.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 28/10/2021 13:40

Sounds fine
If they don't want to test they don't have to visit. 🤷‍♀️

Whereis · 28/10/2021 13:40

People that don’t want to simply won’t and won’t visit. You’re giving them the choice

toomuchlaundry · 28/10/2021 13:40

I test before visiting anyone indoors, but then I am quite anti-social so don’t visit many people! I would certainly do a test before visiting a new baby, wouldn’t need to be asked. Find it strange that people would refuse to visit rather than do a test

NellieBertram · 28/10/2021 13:41

@daisypond

Where do you get these tests from? How much are they? I’m very vulnerable with chronic, life-shortening conditions, and work full time in an office, travel by public transport daily etc, am in and out of hospital, and no-one has suggested that people need LFTs while visiting me on my sickbed, where I currently am. It’s never occurred to me. I didn’t think they were for things like that. I’ve had two PCR tests - for hospital admission - and that’s it.
Where do you live? In England anyone with a school age child, or anyone working in health, education or social care is already doing lft twice a week. They’re also commonly requested for events. For instance one of my children tests before their music lesson every week at request of the teacher. The tests are free, easy (results in 20-30 minutes) and very common.
MySerenity · 28/10/2021 13:42

For the people asking where you get LFTs from... they've been available for free from pharmacies or govt website for quite some time now.

We should all be doing them twice a week.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/

AlwaysLatte · 28/10/2021 13:42

I wouldn't dream of visiting a newborn baby without taking a test. I wouldn't have to be asked.

toomuchlaundry · 28/10/2021 13:43

They hand out tests outside our local supermarket a couple of days a week. You can pick them up from pharmacies or you can order them online from Government website. They are free (am in England)

StayOrGoOrWhat · 28/10/2021 13:43

@daisypond

Where do you get these tests from? How much are they? I’m very vulnerable with chronic, life-shortening conditions, and work full time in an office, travel by public transport daily etc, am in and out of hospital, and no-one has suggested that people need LFTs while visiting me on my sickbed, where I currently am. It’s never occurred to me. I didn’t think they were for things like that. I’ve had two PCR tests - for hospital admission - and that’s it.
Really? You haven’t heard of them? You can collect from many pharmacies or order online - just type ‘order lateral flow tests’ and go to the gov website. They are posted in a box of 7 the following day.
GuidingSpirit · 28/10/2021 13:43

We had a baby in June and nearly all our visitors have offered to do one without being asked. Some even kept their masks on, even though i was fine with them removing them.

Are you planning on breastfeeding? I seem to remember I read recently that there is now some evidence that antibodies can be passed through breastmilk so if so, the baby will also have some added protection.

raeray · 28/10/2021 13:44

I think perfectly reasonable- it's quick, painless and easy. Not sure why anyone wouldn't really - or why it'd put people off visiting.
To me it's new polite visit new baby thing to do like taking ur shoes off at the front door and washing hands before holding them.

🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Neleh91 · 28/10/2021 13:45

Free of charge and delivered to your address by the government.

OP posts:
newmumwithquestions · 28/10/2021 13:51

Honestly I’d think you were a little pfb as Covid is not high risk in newborns. That said I’d do it happily as I think we should all be doing more tests and I wouldn’t want to bring Covid to any new parents. One thing is that I’d wrap it into a request that no one come if they’re ill at all. Even colds can be a nightmare with newborns due to lack of sleep.

flippertyop · 28/10/2021 13:52

I am really easy goi g about Covid and I don't wear a mask but in your situation I would insist on a test and gladly do one if I was visiting

userxx · 28/10/2021 13:52

@daisypond

Do people regularly do lateral flow tests? I’ve never done one. I’m double jabbed and had the booster jab, though. I’ve had a few PCR tests, though.
Yep. Its a whole different world for many out there. A strange world.
flippertyop · 28/10/2021 13:53

I did them when my son got it. They are free from boots

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