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Original poster

3 yr old won’t test

69 replies

Porthia · 12/02/2022 06:42

3 yr old DS is currently hiding under the table rather than let me “tickle” his nose with the little covid test stick. He has a stinking cold but no temperature. I have offered him Paw Patrol and chocolate buttons, I have demonstrated on his older sister how I will be so gentle and not stick it up too high (she was negative).

He is hysterical at the thought of it.

So, I guess my choices are - hold my child down and stick something up his nose against his wishes while he thrashes around and screams, or ignore the fact he has a cold and just hope it isn’t covid. We don’t have much planned for today or tomorrow anyway so he could easily stay home but I don’t really want to isolate him next week unless really necessary.

Ugh. I hate covid.

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 12/02/2022 06:45

Do it when he is asleep.

Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 07:06

I did think about that but then thought that might be really traumatic if he woke up which is why I thought I would try once he was awake.

Isolation requirement ending soon anyway, which makes me feel less bad if I can’t get him to test.

Poor little mite, he is really upset at even the thought of it!

OP posts:
mrsbitaly · 12/02/2022 07:23

It's so difficult isn't it! I wouldn't do it whilst they are asleep if they jolt awake it could hurt and I wouldn't try and pin them down - I tried this and was an awful experience and didn't get it far up enough for it to be a correct test.

If you have no plans I wouldn't bother, soon there isn't going to be a requirement to self isolate anyway. If your child goes to a nursery/ childcare setting they probably won't accept them with a bad cold though.

I would avoid anyone that may be high risk but carry on as normal. My toddler has had a cold that has lasted just over 2 weeks it's the season for it so I wouldn't be too concerned.

I hope your little one feels better soon 💗

WarriorN · 12/02/2022 07:37

If they've got it, you barely need to have the stick in their noses for it to be positive.

I did when asleep.

Just had a 3 yr old with it. It was quite bonkers how briefly the swab went on abs how pink the line was.

WarriorN · 12/02/2022 07:38

Didn't even push very high either.

Hangingtrousers · 12/02/2022 07:45

Just once in one nostril was enough for my 5 and 2 year old. It is traumatic but I'm surprised you've got this far without having to do it...

PintOfBovril · 12/02/2022 07:48

Swab a tissue

Rosiiiiie · 12/02/2022 08:04

Aaah we’re in the same boat except mine is 5! I tried while he was asleep and he just kept knocking the swab away. Don’t really want to hold him down either…. Let me know if you figure it out!!

LunaLoveFood · 12/02/2022 08:04

Sounds gross but we went bogey hunting with the swab to test autistic ds. It was the only way we could persuade him to do it.

anticlock · 12/02/2022 08:18

I've done when my LO was asleep, which worked, but now I get him to do it himself and ask him to fish for bogies.
He's 5 and still kicks off royally, but eventually he'll swab a little bit of his nose if you let him do it himself.

Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 08:20

@Hangingtrousers oh god we have done it countless times before. Hence the utter terrified hysteria he now has around it. He has had many PCRs and several lateral flows before although none in the last couple of months. He was 1 when this all started and during the pandemic he started at nursery with all the associated temperatures, colds etc. with required PCRs. In the past he was less reluctant but he is clearly now traumatised by it all! 😔

OP posts:
TheWorldKickedBack · 12/02/2022 08:20

Let him do it himself. That's the only way I got mine to test and it picked up the positive just fine

Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 08:22

Might attempt a very gentle not very far up attempt tonight when he is asleep… but I don’t feel great about it.

In the past the chocolate button bribery was enough for him to allow me to get near his nose. Not any more! I don’t think he would even let me do the bogey hunting thing. He sticks his bloody finger up there far enough you would think he was used to it! 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Porthia · 12/02/2022 08:23

@TheWorldKickedBack I tried getting him to do it himself. He refused to even come near the test kit.

OP posts:
confuseddotcom1234 · 12/02/2022 08:25

We have tried many different things that often work for a short period. Doing it himself worked for a bit but now he can't stand the tickling so he sits on my lap and I hug him whilst his dad does the stick. It's not fun but he gets a treat after and his choice of tv and he is normally absolutely fine after.

Rosiiiiie · 12/02/2022 08:37

@TheWorldKickedBack how far is your little one putting the swab in? I feel like it needs to go so far back!

BestKnitterInScotland · 12/02/2022 09:19

Honestly? I wouldn't test him.

Keep him at home until he's better.

Picklesandbeans · 12/02/2022 09:24

Yeah I'd just do it whilst hes asleep- quickly!

LittleSnakes · 12/02/2022 09:25

I wouldn’t do it.

RichTeaRichTea · 12/02/2022 09:33

[quote Rosiiiiie]@TheWorldKickedBack how far is your little one putting the swab in? I feel like it needs to go so far back![/quote]
When I had covid and had very clear positive LFTs I experimented by doing a really crap swab, just lightly at the edge of my nostril only, and it was still very obviously positive. Not as blazing, but very clearly positive. So my feeling is that if it’s going to be picked up by LFT then it will be even with a crap swab. Ok it might not get a real squinter but you’re doing your best

Hugasauras · 12/02/2022 09:36

Have you tried giving him the swab and letting him do it? I either do this with DD who has just turned 3 or do it when she's asleep. And I don't go far back - IME if it's positive you'll get it from just a quick swab not that deep.

Theyellowblanketofdeath · 12/02/2022 09:37

Why do you need to test a three year old?

You do realise the guidance is actually not to test children under 5.

The sooner this shit ends the better

Pootle40 · 12/02/2022 09:37

@Theyellowblanketofdeath

Why do you need to test a three year old?

You do realise the guidance is actually not to test children under 5.

The sooner this shit ends the better

This
girafferafferaffe · 12/02/2022 09:45

My dd is the same. I have to test in her sleep - can't get her to do it any other time. She's got a real issue with things near her nose. In the beginning of testing we just had to force her - wrap up in a towel and do it while she struggled. At one point both of us pinned her in to her car seat while she screamed. Honestly I wished I hadn't and I feel massive regret about it. But at the time it was pcr or stay in for 2 weeks and no work/nursery.

girafferafferaffe · 12/02/2022 09:47

And honestly we tried everything. Asking her to do it herself. Buying a massive toy and having it there for her if she let us or did it herself. Sweets, chocolate. Holding a phone. Holding her tablet. Promising dressing up outfits. None of it worked. She has a real complex about things in her nose. She can't even watch me do lfts.

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