Maya Ellison
It can be a scary situation for any parent or caregiver if a baby swallows plastic. While it is important to remain calm, quick action is required. The first step is to check if the baby is choking and, if so, to call 911 immediately. If the baby has swallowed the plastic without choking, it is still important to seek medical advice, especially if the plastic is sharp or the baby is showing symptoms such as vomiting, gagging, drooling, or abdominal pain. In many cases, small, blunt objects will pass through the baby's system without incident, but certain objects, such as batteries, magnets, and sharp objects, can cause significant harm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of choking | High |
| Action to take if choking | Call 911, perform first aid, assess if the child is coughing, give five back pats and follow with five Heimlich abdominal thrusts |
| Action to take if not choking | Monitor the child, call the doctor if symptoms like vomiting, gagging, drooling, not eating, stomach pain, coughing, or wheezing appear |
| Objects that require immediate medical attention | Batteries, magnets, sharp or blunt objects |
| Objects that may pass through without incident | Small, inert objects like coins, stones, or pieces of crayon |
| Objects that may be dangerous | Small, soft, circular objects like plastic beads |
| Symptoms of foreign body ingestion | Unexplained fever, abdominal distention or pain, nausea, vomiting, rectal pain or rectal bleeding |
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What You'll Learn
Choking hazards and how to respond
Choking is a serious risk for children, who have smaller airways and may not chew food properly. If a child is choking and cannot breathe, perform the Heimlich manoeuvre. If that does not work, call emergency services immediately. If you are alone, perform first aid first, or place your phone on speaker so you can continue first aid while connecting to emergency services.
If the child is coughing, monitor the situation, but do not interfere. People who are choking do not cough. If the child is not coughing, start the five-and-five approach: give five pats on the back, followed by five Heimlich abdominal thrusts. Repeat the pats and thrusts until help arrives or the object is dislodged. Do not try to stick a finger down the child's throat to dislodge a trapped object, as this may push the object further down and make it harder to remove.
If a child has swallowed a foreign object, it is important for the caregiver to remain calm. The child may be very anxious after realising they have swallowed something that is not food. If the child is older and can talk, they may be able to tell you what they swallowed. Reassure them that you only want to help and that they are not in trouble.
If the child is experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, gagging, drooling, not eating, stomach pain, coughing, or wheezing, call your doctor. Other symptoms that require immediate medical attention include chest pain, rectal pain or bleeding, fever, abdominal distention, nausea, and the sensation of an object being stuck in the throat.
Some objects are more dangerous when swallowed than others. Batteries contain dangerous chemicals and should be treated as a medical emergency. Magnets can also be dangerous, especially if more than one is swallowed, as they can attract each other and cause intestinal obstruction. Sharp or blunt objects, such as pins, shards of glass, or plastic, can cause internal damage or become lodged in the oesophagus. Coins can also be dangerous, especially those with a high zinc content, as they can react with stomach acids and cause stomach ulcers and abdominal pain.
In general, it is important to keep small objects out of the reach of children and to inspect toys for loose parts or unsafe batteries. Creating a safe environment free of small objects will decrease the likelihood of children ingesting foreign objects.
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Signs and symptoms of ingestion
If a baby or child swallows plastic, it is important to remain calm and look out for any signs or symptoms of ingestion. In some cases, you may not know that your child has swallowed plastic until symptoms appear. Older children who are able to speak may be able to communicate that they have swallowed something, but younger babies will be unable to do so.
Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, gagging, drooling, loss of consciousness, foaming at the mouth, abdominal pain, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and the sensation of an object being stuck in the throat. If your child is choking, they will be unable to cough, speak, or cry. If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
If your child has swallowed a small, blunt piece of plastic, it may be able to pass through their system without incident. However, sharp or pointed pieces of plastic could cause internal damage or become lodged in the esophagus. In the case of ingestion of sharp or pointed plastic, or if you are unsure whether the plastic is sharp, seek immediate medical attention.
If your child has swallowed plastic, you should take them to the doctor right away. The doctor will try to determine what your child swallowed and may perform an X-ray to locate the object. It is helpful to bring the plastic object or a similar example with you to the doctor so they can identify it and treat your child more effectively.
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When to seek medical attention
If a baby or child has swallowed plastic, it is important to remain calm and observe them for any symptoms. In many cases, small objects will pass through a child's system without causing harm. However, if you suspect that the baby has swallowed plastic, it is recommended to seek medical attention within 24 hours even if no symptoms are present.
If the baby is choking and cannot breathe, immediate emergency care is required. Call emergency services and, if alone, place your phone on speaker so you can receive instructions while performing first aid. Do not try to remove the object by sticking your finger down the baby's throat, as this can push the object further down and cause more issues. Instead, perform the Heimlich maneuver: give five pats on the back, followed by five Heimlich abdominal thrusts. Repeat this process until help arrives or the object is dislodged.
If the baby is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, seek immediate emergency medical care:
- Drooling
- Gagging
- Spitting
- Chest pain
- Sensation of an object being stuck in the throat
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Foaming at the mouth
- Wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound)
- Stridor (a harsh, raspy, gasping sound when breathing in)
- Inability to speak, cry, or cough
Additionally, certain types of ingested objects require immediate medical attention, regardless of whether the baby is exhibiting symptoms. These include:
- Sharp objects
- Coins (especially those quarter-sized or larger, or minted in 1982 or later with a high zinc content)
- Batteries of any type
- Magnets (especially if more than one is swallowed, as they can attract each other and cause intestinal obstruction)
- Poisonous objects
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Prevention and childproofing
The best way to prevent a baby from swallowing plastic is to ensure that small objects are kept out of their reach. This includes sharp objects, coins, and batteries. Be aware of your child's surroundings, and keep enticing non-food items out of their reach as much as possible.
It is also important to inspect all toys that come into your home, especially those with batteries. Many toys have small parts that can come off and be swallowed, so it is crucial to ensure that these are secure and cannot be easily detached. Older children should also be instructed to keep their small toys away from younger siblings.
Magnets are another serious hazard, as swallowing more than one can cause intestinal obstruction as they can attract each other and 'pinch' inside the body. Any toys with magnets should be kept away from young children.
If a baby is choking and cannot breathe, perform the Heimlich maneuver. Call 911 immediately if this does not work. If the baby is coughing, you should monitor the situation but refrain from interfering.
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Safe removal of plastic from throat
If a baby or child swallows plastic, it can be a scary situation for any parent or caregiver. Plastic is a common choking hazard for infants and young children, who tend to explore their surroundings by putting things in their mouths. Here is some information on how to safely remove plastic (or any foreign object) from a baby's throat.
Assess the Situation:
Firstly, remain calm. If the baby is coughing, it is a good sign that they are still able to breathe, and the coughing may dislodge the object. Observe the baby's breathing and check for any signs of choking, such as gagging, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. If the baby is choking, and they are conscious, you can perform back blows and chest thrusts (for infants under one year old) or abdominal thrusts (for children over one year old). These maneuvers can help dislodge the object and require quick action and some force, so it is important to know the correct techniques.
Removal of Plastic from the Throat:
If the plastic (or any object) is visible and can be easily reached, try to grasp it with your fingers and remove it. Ensure your fingers are clean and, if possible, wear sterile gloves. A quick removal may cause some discomfort but is safer than the object moving further down the throat. Do not waste time trying to retrieve the object if it is out of reach, as this could waste valuable time.
If the object is lodged and the baby is struggling to breathe, they will require immediate medical attention. Call emergency services and, in the meantime, try to keep the baby calm and still, as any movement could cause the object to move further down the throat. Do not leave the baby alone.
Preventative Measures:
It is important to always supervise babies and young children, especially during feeding and playtime, to prevent choking hazards. Keep small objects and plastic out of reach and ensure that older siblings understand the importance of keeping small toys away from younger brothers or sisters. Always read labels on toys to ensure they are age-appropriate, and be cautious of older toys that may have loose or broken parts.
It is beneficial to learn first-aid techniques, including how to respond to choking emergencies. Being prepared can help you stay calm and know what actions to take in an emergency.
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Frequently asked questions
If your baby has swallowed plastic, it is important to remain calm and check if they are choking. If they are choking and cannot breathe, perform the Heimlich maneuver and call 911 immediately. If the baby is coughing, monitor them and do not interfere. If they are not coughing, give five back pats followed by five Heimlich abdominal thrusts. Repeat until help arrives or the object is dislodged.
Plastic is not always dangerous for babies to swallow. Soft, small, and circular objects, like plastic beads, will usually pass through a baby's system without causing harm. However, sharp or blunt plastic objects can cause internal damage or become lodged in the esophagus.
Babies may not show symptoms immediately after swallowing plastic, or they may exhibit vague symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. If you suspect your baby has swallowed plastic, seek medical evaluation within 24 hours even if they seem well. Symptoms that require immediate emergency care include loss of consciousness, foaming at the mouth, drooling, vomiting, and chest pain.
