It’s practically a rite of passage for parenthood when your child swallows something that they’re definitely not supposed to swallow. Recent study shows that over 759,000 children under the age of six ended up in the emergency room between 1995 and 2015 after swallowing foreign objects.

What Weird Objects Kids Swallow

The most swallowed and weird object that kids swallow are coins. Toys, jewelry and batteries come next in the line of most swallowed foreign objects. Boys usually end up in the ER as compared to the girls.

Why Do Children Try to Swallow Foreign Objects?

Kids swallow many different things other than food as they love to explore things with their mouth. When kids place everything in their mouth, that act is known as ‘mouthing.’ In this way kids develop their senses and also give anxiety to their parents.

When To Seek Medical Attention?

Luckily many inanimate objects are passed through bowel movements within few days. However, if your little one experiences vomiting, stomach pain or trouble in breathing, then they should be taken to ER immediately.  If your child swallows a battery then the child must be taken to the ER as batteries contain chemicals.

For any medical concern, always keep your child’s physician number handy in case of an emergency.

How To Keep Kids From Swallowing Objects

Everyone has a junk drawer but make sure you keep all such things childproof. Try and put lock magnets on such places so that your little one cannot reach those foreign objects. As far as toys are concerned, give toys with no detachable small parts so there will be lesser chances of swallowing the small parts.  Also, it will help you to clean up easily and quickly.

Always ensure that the batteries are located in a secure and safe place, somewhere high or with a lock where the kids cannot reach. 

Also read: How To Keep Toddlers Active