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Q. Help! I think my child just swallowed something that wasn’t food!
Dr. Zibners' Answer:
Thanks to my sister and my niece for always giving me writing material. My 9 month-old niece ate something that was possibly aluminum foil but could have been a rock. She choked and gagged for a few seconds and then swallowed it. Once she stopped crying, we had her drink some water, which went down fine. After that, she took some peaches down the hatch without any trouble. At this point, because we knew that she was breathing comfortably and able to take solids, we assumed that whatever she got in her mouth had made its way to her tummy and wasn’t stuck in her esophagus or airway. So the lesson here is that if your kid gets something that isn’t really food but it goes down and she’s acting fine, it’s probably going to pass through her gut. No need to watch for it to come out in the poop. If she is choking and not breathing, call 911. Refusing to drink, drooling excessively, or refusing to swallow solids are all signs that it could be stuck in her esophagus and you should call your doctor. Please keep in mind that if your suspect a disc battery was the offending object, you will need an x-ray to see exactly where it is because batteries can leak fluid and cause serious damage (including up the nose and in the ear!).
The information herein is not intended to replace the services of trained health professionals, or be a substitute for medical advice. You are advised to consult with your health care professional with regard to matters relating to health, and in particular regarding matters that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
Comments
The TLC series “Your Kid Ate What?” is currently seeking stories for upcoming episodes.
If your family went through the terrifying ordeal of a child ingesting a foreign body (toy parts, batteries, coins, screws or any other unusual object) that required medical attention we want to hear from you.
For more info on the show and instructions on how to contact us please visit:
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/your-kid-ate-what/casting-call.html
– Your Kid ate What? (03/26 08:28 PM)
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"WHAT I LIKED: This book is written in a funny, down to earth way that doesn't make you feel like an idiot. I really would have appreciated something like this when my kids were really little and I freaked out over everything they put in their mouths. It has a scenario/question and answer format, with clear answers on when not to panic and when to call 911."
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