Swallowing Foreign Objects
Babies and young children have a tendency to put anything and everything in their mouths. All sorts of objects find their way in there - coins, marbles, beads, small batteries, buttons – and inevitably, some of them get swallowed.
Most will pass through a child's body without causing harm. One or two may occasionally get stuck and could require immediate attention, especially if sharp objects, that may cause internal damage, are swallowed.
The best way to make sure nothing gets swallowed, of course, is to make certain there are no objects left on the floor or within a child’s reach that are small enough to fit in their mouth. With kids in the house however, that’s easier said than done and it only takes a split second for them to swallow something while your attention is elsewhere.
What to do
- The most important thing is to make sure whatever they've swallowed hasn't stuck in their throat; look out for choking, coughing or wheezing, drooling, difficulty swallowing and loss of consciousness. If in doubt, seek immediate medical advice.
- If they're old enough to talk, get them to tell you exactly what they've swallowed.
- If it's a watch battery, a sharp object, a tablet or something else that might be dangerous or poisonous, seek immediate medical advice.
- Do not give the child anything to eat or drink and do not try to make the child vomit; whatever they've swallowed could do more damage on the way back up than it did going down.
- Seek medical advice.
Top Tip
You can play a game with young children in which they help you pick up any small objects around the house. This will get them into the habit of giving any they find to you instead of popping them into their mouth.
PLEASE NOTE:
The information on this website is provided as a reference guide only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice from your pharmacist, doctor or NHS Direct. Always seek medical advice if you are unsure of the treatment required or dial 999 in an emergency.
