How to Tell If a Child Has Swallowed an Object

Babies put everything in their mouths. Unfortunately, sometimes the things they put in their mouths are dangerous, and they end up swallowing them. All parents should know the signs that baby has swallowed an object, and have their doctors phone number in a prominent place for when emergencies such as this occur.

Instructions

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      Listen for wheezing or barking. This indicates the object is lodged in the airway of the child. Immediate medical attention is necessary if the child has swallowed something that is making breathing difficult.

    • 2

      Watch for drooling. Drooling and excessive salivation are signs that a foreign object is lodged in the throat.

    • 3

      Go to the hospital. If the object is sharp, or large enough to puncture the airway, it is necessary to get medical attention immediately for the child. These items include such things as paper clips, coins and needles among others.

    • 4

      Pay attention to any vomiting. Vomiting can be caused by lodged objects due to the fact that it allows nothing to pass through to the stomach, so it all comes back up.

    • 5

      Note any changes in behavior. Any refusal to eat or drink are good indicators that something is stuck. A fever is also a warning sign of an object that is lodged in the trachea or windpipe.

    • 6

      Check the baby's diaper. If he may have swallowed something small, and is not behaving as if anything is wrong, make sure it passes in the stool. One way to do this is to pass baby's bowel movements through a strainer to look for the object. If it doesn't pass in a few days, call the pediatrician. He can let you know whether an appointment is necessary immediately.

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