PCR Test Advice

[Aurora791]

Hi! I need to give my 19 month old a PCR test tomorrow at a walk-in center, and will have to take her alone. Any tips or advice on the best way to get it done. I’ll take the pram so I can restrain her but she tends to turn her head and put her hands up, and obviously it’s hard to pin her down and swab at the same time, and the centre aren’t allowed to help. Annoyingly there is no drive in centre for 30 miles (which is ridiculous), as I find swabbing her in her car seat easier!

I had an epic fail last time I tried to do the test at a walk-in centre (lots of tears on both parts), and I need a negative test so she can go back to nursery and I can attempt to get some work done (3rd PCR in 6 weeks so good will is running low- the joys of pandemic parenting!)

Tip the pushchair back so she laying flat, stand to one side and use one arm to hold down her arms and with your head keep her face pushed to one side. Stand the stick in half before you do it so you have more control and it’s less scary. Do the bare minimum required. Insert chocolate buttons.

Can you get a home kit? I've found that easier as I can pretty much sit on them to do it!

Pop her in a hoodie jacket, when you get there, take her arms out the sleeves but zip it back up so her arms are inside, clip back into the pushchair, lay it flat, one hand holding head and the other holding the swab. That way you don’t need to hold her arms.

Would she respond to a bribe?! May be a bit too young. The first couple I did were horrendous, more recently I’ve showed her some smarties before we start and it’s been marginally less traumatic….the tears stop v quickly afterwards at least.

I had to do one today on my 23 month old. We showed her what would happen whilst at home using her dolly and teddy, and let her have a practice on them with one of our lateral flow swabs. I made a big thing about it tickling and making them sneeze, and when it came to doing the test she did really well and was pretty cooperative.
I know there may be quite a difference in comprehension between 19 and 23 months, but may be worth a go?

I agree with distractions or treats - chocolate and maybe a sticker book or magazine for straight after if she’s into that sort of thing.
I have done a few on my 2 year old since the age of 1 and it’s not pleasant. Hope it goes ok OP.

Thanks everyone! Will try practicing on her doll in the morning, and take treats and her hoody so I’ve got lots of options!!