Anyone had their baby tested?

[Robs20]

...Just that really. My 5 month old twins have had colds (I think) for a week. Really snotty but no temp or Covid symptoms until twin 2 developed a cough a couple of days ago. I’m 99% sure it’s part of the cold but would feel terrible taking her to baby groups etc if it’s not. I’ve seen a few threads where schools aren’t asking for tests if the cold symptoms came first so I’m a bit confused.

I’ve booked her a test for today but DH will have to take her (and twin 1) as I have a 2 hour appt at the breast clinic (rubbish timing).

My head is all over the place, someone please tell me it is the right thing to get her tested...

It will be really distressing for your baby, if you can avoid I would. Usually colds develop into coughs for little one as the mucus slips back down the throat. Is it possible to stay in avoid people until the cough is better?

So if they have colds and not coronavirus, would you still be taking them to baby groups?

They're 5 months old, what can they possibly get out of going along to a baby group when they're poorly, even if it's just a cold 😣 lovely for everyone else at the group as well, especially in the circumstances!

I personally wouldn’t as pp said very distressing for her.
I’d stay in avoid baby groups till she’s better.

I tested my 7m old recently (cold and high temp), it didn't think it was that bad - he cried while I was doing it but I gave him a carrot puff straight after and he was happy again.

Personally I wouldn't test a baby and instead just stay home for the 14 days

I tested my baby it was fine, you just do both nostrils, over quickly.

Hmm maybe we should stay at home instead then. They’ve had the cold at least a week so surely it must be nearly gone?!

@RainbowParadise yes fair point. I asked some friends with older children about the etiquette on taking babies/ toddlers to groups with colds. They said that babies get colds all the time so in non- covid times it would be totally fine. Also - as I’m sure you know, groups are for mums too! Getting out the house has really helped my mental health after having twins during lockdown. I am not expecting to be socialising but a change of scenery is nice.

Babies obviously do get colds but now isn't normal is it- taking them along could then cause a lot more people to have to teat (if they can even manage to book one) and isolate.

Also they are still tiny- and if they're feeling unwell they're going to be pretty unhappy. An older baby with a cold is going to still be toddling around and playing.

We tested my 6 month old and she didn't bat an eyelid, to be honest she was more interested in trying to eat the swab! Just hold the arms down gently and give them a cuddle afterwards and they will be fine. I don't think you need baby groups at the minute though, I know they are lovely but better to not risk it surely? Though saying that I don't think you can avoid coming into contact with illness at the minute, we had to get tested as my husbands lovely family member went and visited someone with covid and then came to ours - was absolutely fuming! Hope your wee ones feel better soon.

@calzone2018 I would be fuming too! I agree baby groups are not essential. Maybe I need to be a bit more creative and look into what we can do at home instead....we are confined to the living room all day as DH works from home in the kitchen.
So far we’ve had no coughing yet today so fingers crossed things are improving. Hope your little one is feeling better too.