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Original poster

Testing 20 month old

33 replies

dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 07:05

I'm sure this has been done before but I can't find a thread. Please feel free to link if someone else can.

My 20 month old has a cough and a low grade temp so is booked for a PCR this morning (as are the rest of the household). Amazingly, he's only ever been swapped whilst in hospital for other things so I've not had to test him.
I test regularly so comfortable with the procedure but how on early do you test a very young toddler. He is going to resist it and not co-operate naturally, he's too little to explain the test or bribe. Does anyone have any tips?

Also can someone tell me please if it's throat and nose for an under two or if not what is it?

Test is booked for a couple of hours time and is at a site (I think drive thru).

OP posts:
Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 07:06

Oh my goodness the typos - sorry!

Clearly it should read swabbed and then how on earth Blush

OP posts:
Jakc · 17/08/2021 07:34

I wouldn’t put a child through that, does it really matter what the results are? He wouldn’t be looked after any different if negative or positive? Just treat him as he is and get you or any other family members tested as doubt he will be the only one to have it if he does

rosesandsalvia · 17/08/2021 07:41

Just nostrils. I've only done it when they're firmly strapped into a car seat. I doubt you'll manage 10 seconds up their nose but just do your best.
Agree with pp I wouldn't test unless I had to but once they have a temp & a cough they won't be allowed into childcare for 10 days unless they have a negative test and there is only so much time you can take off work.

Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 07:49

Yes I have to test him. I work for the emergency services and I need to be able to go to childcare so I can work and they won't have him back until he's tested.

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Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 07:56

Equally if he's positive I don't want either me or my partner spreading it to those that are vulnerable etc at work and as we're both double vaccinated we would be expected to go to work as isolation rules changed yesterday so our hands are tied.

Why anyone thinks I'd put him through it without reason is beyond me

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Littlebelina · 17/08/2021 07:57

Just nose, strapped into car seat. One of you go in the back to the site if possible (to reduce clambering around as you can't get out of your car). If needed use your free arm to keep little arms out of way. It's not nice but over quickly.

Fingers crossed for a quick negative for you

3teens2cats · 17/08/2021 08:09

Make sure one of you travels to the test center in the back with your toddler as once you get there you can't get out of the car. Just do both nostrils. This is what the guidance says for babies.

Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 08:09

Thank you for those offering practical advise. Hadn't thought about sitting in the back so will do that.

How do you know how far up the nose to go? Obviously on yourself you can feel it but I imagine it's going to be difficult

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BugMummy · 17/08/2021 08:12

We had to test our 15 month old yesterday (cough and temp gp wouldn't see her without a negative test) we went to a walk in one. Strapped into buggy, I distracted husband did the test they advised to hold the stick nearer the swab part for small children and it's 10 seconds per nostril. I had hey duggee on my phone and held her arms so she couldn't touch the swab. As soon as it was over gave her a snack and it was forgotten. We did ours at 8:30 yesterday morning I had an email by 0230 this morning.

whatswithtodaytoday · 17/08/2021 08:13

You don't need to go as far up as for adults, their noses are tiny inside. If he looks like he might fall asleep let him, it gives you a few seconds grace before he starts wiggling. You'll need someone to hold him still while the other swabs.

It's horrible but over quickly. Have snacks ready to take his mind off it when finished. Hopefully it'll be negative - my 2.5 year old is on 7 negatives I think, first was when he was around 20 months.

purpletrains · 17/08/2021 08:20

But why are you doing it? Do the rest of the family first with lateral flows

rocketpower · 17/08/2021 08:23

Purpletrains he needs a negative PCR result to go back to childcare as he has symptoms. Negative lateral flows from him and the rest of the family won't get him back to childcare!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/08/2021 08:30

I'd order a home one and do it when he's asleep. Results are back really quickly IME.

Mindymomo · 17/08/2021 08:38

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor. My son did home test last Thursday, posted same morning and result only came through yesterday, so 4 days we waited., luckily it came back negative.

Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 08:57

I've been instructed to go to a site and given an appointment (key worker fast track). We lateral flow 3x a week (adults) for work anyway but childcare won't accept.

He has got to be tested to return to work and we have to return to work or have a confirmed positive as we're emergency services workers and the rules are very strict for obvious reasons as we are essential / critical workers.

I have already explained this.

Thank you to all those giving advise and not questioning my parenting.

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poblwc · 17/08/2021 09:54

I had to test my 2 year old on Saturday - as others have said, I sat in the back of the car and let him have you tube kids on my phone. He hated it, obviously, but it was over in seconds. Had the results back (positive) in less than 24 hrs. Good luck!

Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 10:17

Well the test is done. I had a decent go but who knows if it'll be good enough to not get an invalid result.
Just hoping now it's negative for all of us.

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Bobholll · 17/08/2021 13:29

It’ll likely not be invalid OP. I’ve done numerous on my hysterical 4 year old (she finds them really upsetting) & I’ve barely got the swab in her nostril but I’ve still got a result! The one time she was positive, I did a terrible job. The swab touched her face, her lips & I did two very quick spins in her nostrils. Came back positive. I was positive too & her little sister who I also did a not very good job on!

Bobholll · 17/08/2021 13:31

Also, the more recent tests I’ve done, they have let me get out the car. They’ve parked me at the back end of the carpark away from everyone else. It has always been when the drive through was very quiet & plenty of space!

Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 18:46

Thanks for reassurance regarding invalid results. I basically got into each nostril a couple of times but he was thrashing about and hysterical so god only knows for how long. I did my best in the circumstances.

I'm starting to feel really stressed and anxious waiting for results - I know ultimately it doesn't change anything if it's covid or a cold and he'll either fight it off or be really poorly with it probably in equal probability.

Is it normal to feel so worried about it?

I'm hoping results come in quickly. Last time I had to test myself (I knew it was Mastitis but again as I had a temp work required a PCR) it took about 36 hours I think.

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JeVoudrais · 17/08/2021 18:58

Can't believe all these posters saying don't test a toddler, it's not that bad! Well done for doing it OP. We tested DD at 12 months recently. I didn't get it in her nose for especially long but she got a negative result.

Her appt was 9.30 and I got emailed the result at 1.00am the next day. I got a text at about 7am, so could be worth checking emails and not relying on the text to come through. This was about two weeks ago.

Original poster
dopeyduck · 17/08/2021 19:01

I will have to check emails as my mobile number is down for both mine and his result so I won't know who's is who's (if he's positive or I am we would remain together anyway as I'm still breastfeeding him) however I've got two email accounts so his is going to one and mine the other so I will keep an eye - thanks

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samks · 17/08/2021 22:43

I hope you get a negative result quickly, we’ve had to test our 20 month old twice due to nursery needing the negative result as well. I didn’t think I’d done a very good job and was worried about it being invalid but it was fine (negative). I had to kind of trap his head against the car seat and pin his arms down; it was just me so was tricky. My H did one at a walk through and said he basically had to get him in a headlock in the pram to get access to his nose. It’s not nice!

Original poster
dopeyduck · 18/08/2021 06:46

It was invalid and we've got to do it all over again. I honestly could just cry.

Both of ours were negative.

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Mindymomo · 18/08/2021 07:51

Oh no, so sorry, but at least you now know you’ve probably got to swab a bit more.