Ethan Clarke
Babies and young children are naturally curious and will put most things they find into their mouths. This can lead to dangerous situations when they accidentally swallow something harmful. If you think your baby has swallowed plastic, the best course of action will depend on the type of plastic and the size of the object. If the object is small and blunt, your baby will likely be fine, but you should still watch them closely for any symptoms and call your doctor if you notice anything unusual. If the object is sharp or large, take your baby to the emergency room immediately.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to do if a baby swallows plastic | If the baby has swallowed a small piece of plastic, it is likely to pass through the gastrointestinal tract without any issue. However, if the baby is showing symptoms such as vomiting, gagging, drooling, not eating, stomach pain, coughing, or wheezing, call your doctor immediately. If the plastic is sharp or large, take the baby to the emergency room right away. |
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What You'll Learn
If the baby is choking, call 911
If a baby is choking and displaying symptoms of severe respiratory distress, such as wheezing, stridor (a harsh, raspy, gasping sound when breathing in), or an inability to speak, cry, or cough, call 911 immediately. These symptoms indicate that the baby is experiencing an obstruction in their windpipe, which can be life-threatening.
Calling 911 will ensure that emergency medical services are dispatched to your location as soon as possible. While waiting for their arrival, you can perform some initial steps to help the choking baby. If you have been trained in infant CPR, now is the time to apply those skills. Place the baby face down on your forearm, with their head lower than their body. Using the heel of your hand, deliver five firm blows between the baby's shoulder blades. Then, turn the baby over so they are facing up, and use your fingers to give five quick chest compressions in the middle of the baby's breastbone. Repeat these steps until emergency services arrive.
If the baby is older than one year and is conscious, you can also try giving them two teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes while waiting for emergency services. Honey can help prevent injury to the esophagus and stomach. However, do not delay calling 911, as time is of the essence in choking situations.
Once the baby is breathing normally and the immediate danger has passed, it is still crucial to seek further medical evaluation. Visit the emergency room or your pediatrician to ensure that the baby is thoroughly assessed and to address any potential complications or lingering issues.
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Check for symptoms like vomiting, coughing, chest pain
If a baby or child has swallowed plastic, it is important to remain calm and vigilant. Plastic is not listed among the most dangerous items for children to swallow, such as button batteries, magnets, or sharp objects. However, it is still crucial to monitor the child for any symptoms and take the necessary precautions.
Vomiting can be a sign that the swallowed plastic is causing distress in the child's gastrointestinal tract. If vomiting occurs, it is advisable to contact a doctor immediately. The doctor may recommend a wait-and-see approach, monitoring the child's condition and the plastic's progress through X-rays or other imaging tests.
Coughing is another symptom to watch out for. While coughing can be a normal occurrence in children, persistent or unusual coughing after swallowing plastic could indicate an obstruction or irritation in the respiratory system. If coughing is accompanied by other symptoms such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
Chest pain is a more severe symptom that requires urgent medical evaluation. It could indicate a blockage or irritation in the esophagus, the tube between the mouth and the stomach. If the child complains of chest pain or exhibits signs of discomfort, it is important to act quickly and take them to the emergency room for an examination.
In addition to these symptoms, it is important to be vigilant for other signs such as drooling, gagging, spitting, throat pain, or difficulty swallowing. These could all indicate that the swallowed plastic is causing an obstruction or irritation. If in doubt, it is always best to seek medical advice and err on the side of caution.
While most small, blunt objects can pass through a child's digestive system without issues, it is crucial to remain vigilant and seek medical advice if any symptoms arise or if the object has not passed within a reasonable amount of time (typically 24 to 72 hours).
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Go to the emergency room if they've swallowed a battery or magnet
If your child has swallowed a battery or magnet, it is important to take them to the emergency room as soon as possible. Batteries and magnets can cause serious internal damage and require immediate medical attention.
Button batteries, in particular, can get stuck in a child's windpipe and block their breathing. The chemicals in these batteries can also cause severe burns when swallowed or stuck in the body. If a battery is stuck in a child's nose or ear, it can lead to serious injury. In the case of magnets, multiple magnets swallowed at different times can attract each other through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to pressure necrosis and perforation. This can result in tears that cause leaks into the abdomen or create shortcuts between different parts of the intestine, leading to waste bypassing large sections of the normal digestion process.
When visiting the emergency room, inform the doctors that magnet ingestion is a possibility. Insist on observation and X-rays to confirm and monitor the progress of the foreign object. X-rays will help determine if the object has passed into the stomach, as it is impossible to tell without this diagnostic tool. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the battery or magnet, especially if it is causing internal damage or blocking the child's breathing.
To prevent such incidents, it is important to childproof your home and keep dangerous items out of reach. This includes storing batteries and magnets in secure locations and ensuring that battery compartments are closed with screws. It is also crucial to watch children carefully whenever they use devices containing batteries and to teach them about the dangers of swallowing objects that are not food.
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Monitor stools to check if plastic has passed
If your baby has swallowed plastic, it is important to monitor their stools to check if the plastic has passed. This is because most ingested foreign bodies will pass harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract and be present in the child's stool within a few days. Foreign objects usually take about one to two weeks to pass through the system. If the object is not out by four weeks, your child's doctor may refer you to a pediatric gastroenterologist for further evaluation.
To check for the plastic in your baby's stool, you can collect the stools by having your baby wear a diaper. Another way is to have your baby poop on a piece of paper and then slice the poop with a knife. Do this until you find the plastic. It is important to check every stool because if one stool is missed and it contains the plastic, you may seek medical evaluation unnecessarily.
If your baby has swallowed plastic and is showing no signs of trouble, doctors don't always agree on the best course of action. Some recommend doing nothing and assuming the plastic is in the stomach and will pass unless the baby develops symptoms such as stomach pain or vomiting. Others suggest giving the baby a drink of water to see if it can be swallowed easily. If it can, try giving the baby a piece of bread. The enzymes in saliva will help dissolve the bread if it sticks. If the baby can swallow the bread and water without problems, a normal diet is safe.
However, if your baby is showing any symptoms such as vomiting, gagging, drooling, not eating, stomach pain, coughing, or wheezing, call your doctor right away. Some objects can get stuck in the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract without causing symptoms, so it is important to be vigilant. If your baby has swallowed a sharp object, battery, or magnet, take them to the emergency room right away.
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Get an X-ray to determine the location of the plastic
If your baby has swallowed plastic, it is important to remain calm and assess the situation. In many cases, babies and young children swallow small objects that can pass through their gastrointestinal tract without any issues. However, some items, such as sharp objects, button batteries, magnets, or coins, can cause serious internal damage or become lodged in the trachea, blocking breathing.
If your baby has swallowed plastic, here are some steps you can take:
If your baby has swallowed plastic, it is important to determine the type and size of the plastic that was swallowed. If the plastic is small, blunt, and not sharp, you may not need to rush to the doctor immediately. However, it is still recommended to call your doctor and seek medical advice. They may advise you to monitor your baby for any symptoms or perform a swallow test by offering them a small amount of water to drink. If the plastic was small and blunt, it will likely pass through without any issues.
On the other hand, if the plastic is sharp, large, or potentially toxic, immediate medical attention is required. An X-ray will be necessary to determine the exact location of the plastic. X-rays can help doctors identify if the plastic is stuck in the esophagus, which is the tube between the mouth and the stomach, or if it has passed into the stomach. This information is crucial for determining the next steps in treatment.
In some cases, doctors may recommend a "'wait and see'" approach if the swallowed object is not a button battery or multiple magnets, and the baby does not display any symptoms. They may use X-rays or other imaging tests to monitor the progress of the object as it moves through the baby's system. Foreign objects usually take about one to two weeks to pass. If the object hasn't been eliminated within four weeks, further evaluation by a pediatric gastroenterologist may be necessary.
It is important to note that some objects, such as button batteries and magnets, require urgent attention. Button batteries can cause low-voltage burns within two hours if stuck in the esophagus, leading to a puncture. Multiple magnets can also be dangerous, as they can attract each other across the bowel wall and cause damage. In such cases, an X-ray is crucial to determine their location and facilitate prompt removal.
In summary, getting an X-ray can provide valuable information about the location of the swallowed plastic and guide the baby's treatment plan. It is important to follow the advice of medical professionals and act promptly to ensure the best outcome for the baby's health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
If the plastic is small and blunt, your baby will likely be able to pass it without intervention. Give them some water to drink, and if that goes down easily, try a piece of bread. If they show any symptoms such as vomiting, gagging, drooling, not eating, stomach pain, coughing, or wheezing, call your doctor.
Symptoms of a blocked oesophagus include trouble swallowing, throat or chest pain, gagging, vomiting, drooling, or spitting. If the object has moved past the oesophagus, symptoms can include an unexplained fever, abdominal pain, nausea, rectal pain, or rectal bleeding.
If the object is stuck in their throat and causing severe respiratory distress, call 911 immediately. Do not try to remove the object yourself, as you may cause further injury.
Button batteries and magnets can cause serious internal damage. Keep these objects out of your child's reach, and seek immediate medical attention if they are swallowed. Other harmful objects include sharp objects, coins, and poisonous items.
Keep small objects, especially those that are sharp or contain button batteries, out of your baby's reach. Be vigilant and keep an eye on your baby to ensure they don't put anything harmful in their mouth. Teach your baby to only put food in their mouth, and continue to have these conversations as they grow older.
