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Covid

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Original poster

F****** covid testing a sick toddler

21 replies

BalconiWaferAddict · 02/02/2021 08:20

Yes I know I’m probably being unreasonable but I just need a moan with people who get it.

DC had their 1yr immunisations recently and the MMR has done a spectacular number on them - we’re 12 days after jab and the fever has been hanging around for the last 5. So now we have to see the dr to be checked for other infections and, even though everyone is almost certain the fever is the jab we have to get a bloody test again (second in a month). Which means we have to mess work around again as childcare is a no go til we get a negative.

Child’s favourite past time currently is screaming. they’re lovely and super affectionate, just love being loud and now they’re ill it’s even louder. Neither of us got any sleep for the last 2 days and the constant shrieking has us going mad. No bubble, no support and no way of escaping. I was on AD’s for PND most of last year and honestly wish I’d never come off them.

Don’t suppose anyone has an tips or encouragement?

OP posts:

justwanttoknow21 · 02/02/2021 08:24

Oh no I'm so sorry ! You did the right thing getting the jab. But swabbing a toddler is really hard. Can you get someone else to do it ? Rather than having to do it yourself ? I'm dreading / putting off my DD's 1 year vaccinations as she always gets very high fevers etc and nearly ended up in a and e last year at the height of the pandemic. I just can't go through that again. But she needs to get these jabs ASAP.

Original poster

BalconiWaferAddict · 02/02/2021 08:37

No, it’s just me or DH and he’s working so I’m on my own for this one. I’ve done it before and I’ll have telly and bribes ready.

Just tired of hearing people going ‘were all in the same boat’ when it’s not true - we might all be on the same sea but some people have much tougher things right now. PIL said this until I pointed out they can lie in til god knows what time at the weekend and don’t have to stress about entertaining anyone other than themselves.

OP posts:

TrashedWarrior · 02/02/2021 08:40

Getting through this with an under 5 is extremely hard. It's relentless. You're not unreasonable to be finding it tough, that phase was tough enough pre pandemic (we had it summer 2019.)

TrashedWarrior · 02/02/2021 08:41

The MMR caused a month of temp spikes and random rashes in my second.

When this all hit last year I did think if all those doing the jab phase.

justwanttoknow21 · 02/02/2021 08:42

Oh yes you're very very right. It's so tough with a toddler / baby. I personally would have been more than happy to lounge around watching Netflix and getting up whenever I like etc. The lock downs would have been so much easier than with a baby toddler.

TrashedWarrior · 02/02/2021 08:42

Could you do both nostrils when they're asleep? That's how a friend has been doing her's.

ineedaholidaynow · 02/02/2021 08:45

Is your DH at work or WFH?

TrashedWarrior · 02/02/2021 08:45

I find I have to have 30 mins of no child contact with a cuppa in bed every morning to remain sane. (Obviously that's around 5:30 - 6:30) But the toddler can happily watch tv with a banana alone now.

TrashedWarrior · 02/02/2021 08:46

If the ADs work, go back in them. No reason to come off.

ComeWhatMayKeepTheHope · 02/02/2021 08:51

Any chance you can wait and be 2 to do it? One to hold her head and one to do the test?

Also wrapping them in a towel like a burrito with just their heading popping out - lying them on their back and then one partner holding the head (in the way they do with suspected broken necks) will make the job easier.

I live in a country where no one swabs themselves and it is all done by medical professionals. Self testing sounds horrendous and must take longer than with a pro.

Flev · 02/02/2021 10:12

Definitely don't use a drive-through testing site on your own! We had to test our 2 year old last week and it was a nightmare-her strapped into her car seat screaming blue murder and fighting with arms and legs and shaking her head. My husband in the back seat trying to get the swab up her nose. Me stuck in the drivers seat unable to help except to hold things for him. And someone outside the car window trying to give us instructions we couldn't hear due to all the screaming. Thankfully she was negative - but we said that if we have to do it again it's a home test so one of us can hold her and the other one do the test.

JorisBonson · 02/02/2021 10:45

I can't imagine how hard it must be for the OP, but please don't lump childfree people all together like that.

We're not all "lounging around and watching Netflix and getting up whenever we like". DH and I are both frontline, have worked throughout, and he is on the verge of a breakdown. My mental health is on its arse and I'm not the only one.

Hope things get a little better OP and good luck with the test - I'm 36 and have them twice weekend and I don't like them!

JorisBonson · 02/02/2021 10:45

Weekly*

Blueroses99 · 02/02/2021 10:53

@Flev

My experience is similar to this, except the result was inconclusive 🤦🏽‍♀️ Definitely a home test next time, to avoid wrangling in the car seat. The instructions about half way down say if you can’t do the throat, do both nostrils. We could have saved a lot of time if we’d know this upfront! So both nostrils, at home. PP suggested when they are sleep, that’s a great idea!

BlackeyedSusan · 02/02/2021 11:06

I remember the eye drop debacle, and still ninja teeth cleaning an hour after they have fallen asleep. good luck.

TotorosFurryBehind · 02/02/2021 11:06

Yanbu OP. We are not all in the same boat, not even close. It is so much harder for those of us with young children and frankly anyone who doesn't agree with that should bog off to another site.

I read somewhere that the worst period for PND is 9-12 months postpartum, that's the period when most maternal suicides occur. This isn't just you. There is no shame in taking anti depressants. Sending hugs and

SoCrimeaRiver · 02/02/2021 11:11

We had to do our 2 year old last week. You need 2 adults, one to sit child on knee and wave distracting toy, one to swab 2 x nostrils (don't both trying to get them to open their mouth, they won't). Second adult holds head still with one hand and swabs nostrils with the other, first adult grabs waving hands and wriggling body, everyone gets it over with asap. The walk-in test centre we went to had slimmer swabs to use for toddlers, and gave her a couple of stickers, like at the dentist, afterwards, which also helped.

Hope it gets better soon OP. It's a big load for you to carry right now, when they're ill and everyone's sleep deprived and the weather's rubbish as well.

Serenschintte · 02/02/2021 11:11

Ooh that sounds very hard. I recommend ear plugs (I honestly do). Ones that muffle the sound but don’t completely stop it.
Also just sitting in your car. Even it it’s in the drive way. Bliss

Anothermother3 · 02/02/2021 11:13

Sertraline is keeping me afloat OP. I haven’t had to test my toddler but sleep is never enough and I’m feeling very defeated this week.

EatingAllTheCookies · 02/02/2021 11:21

Ds has his this week.
I'm dreading it.
When dd had hers she spoked such a high temp that she was nearly hospitalised.

I really feel for you.

mistermagpie · 02/02/2021 11:21

I've got three children aged 1, 3 and 5 so I feel your pain. The three year old had Covid in November and they all ended up getting tested. The baby was the worst but I just reminded myself that it's really only 30 seconds. They won't like it but keep them strapped in the car seat if you can.

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