Any advice on testing a toddler?

[Thistledew]

DD is 14 months. She has had a temperature this week and has been off her food. Nursery want a negative test before she goes back. I've got her an appointment at a drive through test centre tomorrow.

Any advice on getting the test done? She is quite likely to fall asleep in the car on the way there. Should I try to do it as she sleeps or is that even worse than doing it while she is awake?

I’d try and do it awake. Doing it asleep and then being woken up to a swab up the nose is unpleasant to say the least!
Do it with a treat, something she really likes for when it’s over.

At 14 months you'll unfortunately probably just have to pin her down
Or is she maybe mature enough that you can turn it into a game? Take some ear buds with you and sing a silly song like "mummy's turn, twirl the bud in mummy's nose" - " baby's turn, twirl the bud in baby's nose"?
I tested my 4yo but he was able to understand what was happening, so although he complained he knew to stay still.

I'm not expecting cooperation but will try to turn it into a game. She's off her food at the moment but maybe an ice cream afterwards might tempt her.

Wee soul. Good luck op

I've tested my toddler a few times. It really is a matter of just pinning them down and doing it. You don't have to do throat which makes it a bit easier. DS generally screams but it's over quickly and he's normally recovered within moments.

If it helps, we were really worried about testing our not quite 2 & just 3 year old. But they weren't in the slightest bit bothered so hopefully yours won't be either.

Don't have any tips, DH did it (I am a bit cack handed) but just remember it'll be over quickly. Being in car seat should be easier since less pinning required.

Good luck! Hope its not too tough!

We did it at a drive through with our 15 month old strapped in his car seat. We definitely didn’t manage a thorough swab but it was conclusive and came back negative.

He wasn’t amused but didn’t take it nearly as badly as I’d expected!

I have heard you only need to do nostrils but I don’t know how true that is, we did both.

My 3yo was asleep in the car when she had her test. Snoring with mouth open. Did wake up, but it was already over by the time she realised. I think it’s worth trying if your one does fall asleep

Positive test btw so definitely a good enough sample

I zipped DD into her coat, but without her arms in the sleeves so that she couldn’t thrash around. Laid her down on the back seat of the car, pinned her head with my knees.
Sounds awful writing it down like that, but it meant it was over with quickly.

Distract and bribe. We used my iPad and chocolate buttons.

Keep her strapped in the car seat. Hold both arms down with one of your arms across her with that hand pinning down her face and then swap (snapped the stick first), so do it quickly and then give chocolate.

Really depends on the child. My 4yo is no bother, my 6yo needs pinning down. Don’t assume it’s going to be a disaster, ask for a spare swab for yourself. Bribe.

I’ve had to have my toddler tested a few times, we tickle his nose with a cotton bud first at home a few times and count at the same time. We also give him some screen time whilst we do his actual test so that he’s a bit more distracted. He’s never really that bothered.

Put your other arm across her arms and just go for it. Put peppa pig on your phone and have snacks to distract after. Then cry like I did 😂

It is wasn't too bad. She had fallen asleep but stirred and was awake just as it was time to take the test. I kept her in her car seat so just had to hold her hands. I was told only to do the nostrils.

She cried and squirmed a bit but it didn't distress her too much and she went back to sleep as we drove away.

I'm not wholly confident that I did enough swabbing to get a proper sample- there was definitely some snot on the stick even though she doesn't have a particularly snotty nose so hopefully I got enough.

It wasn't as bad as I had feared it may be.

Negative result, fortunately.

Well done OP! Good result (literally)