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Original poster

Would you test a baby?

28 replies

BeHappyAndSmile · 29/06/2021 10:35

Just that really, now things are opening up little one has their first cold but had a little temperature for a very short time. They are only 8 months and I know the guidance is to test for a temperature but I can't imagine trying to swab their throat and nose Confused. Meant to be starting nursery very soon so just staying home for 10 days isn't ideal.

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 29/06/2021 10:42

You dont swab the throat w babies and small children, just both nostrils. That wouldnt bother me, I'd just get someone to hold their head.

PurpleyBlue · 29/06/2021 10:43

I've had to and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. You can use both nostrils rather than trying to do a throat swab. I know some people do them while baby is asleep but that didn't sit right with me so I did it while LO was sat in high chair.

Original poster
BeHappyAndSmile · 29/06/2021 10:47

Oh good to know you don't have to do the throat! I was genuinely clueless where to ever start trying that haha. Thanks for the advice Smile. High chair sounds like a good plan and then I can give something tasty straight after to make it better!

OP posts:
PurpleyBlue · 29/06/2021 10:49

I was genuinely clueless where to ever start trying that haha. I was the same.. like err that's not going to happen I struggle to find the right place on myself!

WeatherSystems · 29/06/2021 10:55

Car seat worked best for us! Get someone to kind of hold their head sideways in it (as if they're looking left or right) and do the swab. I did it alone in the back of the car for young toddler DC. He hated it and I didn't enjoy doing it but it was over within a few seconds.

SarcasmQueen · 29/06/2021 15:12

I had to test my 9 month old, she was in her car seat with me in the back and her dad held her head still from the front seat. She didn't like it but she had snacks after and got over it quickly! Only took a minute to do the actual test. Good luck, its not fun! Hope it comes back clear!

EarlGreywithLemon · 29/06/2021 15:21

We’ve had to test our daughter several times between December, when she was one, and now. She’s at nursery and keeps catching bugs. I only did her nose, with her sitting on my husband’s lap. We’ve both got used to it, and last two times she pretty much sat still of her own accord.

ISaidDontLickTheBin · 29/06/2021 15:52

I've done my now 13 month-old several times over the last couple of months, in his car seat at the local drive-through testing centre. As pp said, its quick - nostrils only.

Nursery demand to see a negative COVID test result after any temp/cough (or 10 days isolation) so we haven't had much choice, especially as we have 2 DC in the nursery and they obviously won't take either of them back without the all clear.

Mozfan · 29/06/2021 15:54

I’m sorry to say it, but I swabbed myself instead of my toddler DS. As I didn’t want to upset him further, he was already unwell.

Finfintytint · 29/06/2021 15:59

I’m a mobile tester. Lots of babies come through our sites. The advice is not to use the swabs that are sized for adults and to book a test on another site where a nurse will do it. Most people don’t want to drive to another site so use our kits. We point out the risk and let them decide as they are the parent and know their baby best. It’s nostrils only.

PurpleyBlue · 29/06/2021 16:05

Finfintytint that's really handy to know thank you!

Lostinacloud · 29/06/2021 16:07

One thousand times NO

ISaidDontLickTheBin · 29/06/2021 16:20

@Finfintytint

I’m a mobile tester. Lots of babies come through our sites. The advice is not to use the swabs that are sized for adults and to book a test on another site where a nurse will do it. Most people don’t want to drive to another site so use our kits. We point out the risk and let them decide as they are the parent and know their baby best. It’s nostrils only.
That's really interesting - our local testing site make parents do the swab for any children under the age of 11, I assumed that was the case everywhere.
Finfintytint · 29/06/2021 16:32

I’m in Central Scotland....might be a bit different. The Airports offer the tests via a nurse. Not a great uptake though, I believe. If you’ve taken the time to book and drive to test, you don’t necessarily want to fanny about trying to organise another elsewhere.

Katie517 · 29/06/2021 21:20

I have a ten month old who has had a cold and also has hayfever so coughs occasionally, I have not and will not in the future subject them to a covid test, nor will we isolate for what I know to be non covid related illnesses, restraining young babies in car seats while we ram swabs up their noses to test for an illness that the vulnerable have been fully vaccinated against for months, isolating healthy babies in children in the house on the off chance they have covid . What have we become?

UNICEF released a very damning and shocking report into the impact the pandemic has had on child mental health and I think in years to come we will be disgusted at what we have put children through. So in short no I wouldn’t test your baby!

2boysand1princess · 29/06/2021 21:32

My baby had a mild fever and runny nose and the hospital swabbed her. Throat and nose. She was 10 months at the time.

Squicknick · 29/06/2021 21:35

No, I'm sorry I would not subject my baby to this.

fedup078 · 29/06/2021 21:40

I have done but I won't be doing it again now

He was absolutely traumatised and it made his nose bleed
He has a cold every few weeks as most toddlers do and I won't put him through it again

I've followed the rules all along but I'm really getting frustrated with it all now

Honey12346 · 29/06/2021 21:48

No I would never

FflosFfantastig · 30/06/2021 07:48

No I wouldn't. If I suspected they had it I'd isolate with them and get better.

fedup078 · 30/06/2021 09:13

I actually know my 18mo is traumatised by it as if he sees me take out the stick to test myself he starts screaming

shouldistop · 30/06/2021 09:16

@Finfintytint we did a test at Glasgow airport. When I booked for 4yo ds we were told a parent had to do it for children under 11.

Yellow85 · 30/06/2021 09:22

Ds had loads of tests now as he suffers from cluster infections. Any drive thru centre has had me test him - both nostrils only. He was admitted to hospital last week where they did a test - both tonsils only. I asked why the throat and was told a good gag was the key as it releases particles. So I think I’d maybe try throat next time with him as I’m never sure I’m doing the nostril right.

He HATES it. He now realises where we are heading as soon as we take the turn off. It’s bloody awful. But my DH is a key worker and I work in covid response so time off is not an option for us. I have chocolate on hand and get the silent treatment afterwards.

bloodywhitecat · 30/06/2021 09:28

I was in hospital last week with my three and a half week old, she had to be swabbed and I was expecting her nostrils to be done but they did the back of her throat. Thoroughly confused now.

Wingingthis · 30/06/2021 09:28

There is absolutely no way I would test
My baby. Or my 3 year old