Big Problem... Worried... Help?

[dingledine]

A toddler had a plastic toy that the big girls dropped. Yes... I know... he shouldn't have had it, but he did. I saw him with it in his mouth. I said something to him, and he in his typical fashion, turned and quick, trotted in the other direction. It is a linking toy, square, hollow, about 1.5 inches, by .5 inches.

I am pretty sure he ingested it. I texted the parents a picture of an identical toy, and let them know. What do I do now? He seems fine... but I'm worried.

[Unregistered]

If be sending him straight to a doctor with the parents!

[MamaBearCanada]

Do a thorough search perhaps he didn't swallow it. 1.5"x1.5" hard square of plastic is big for a little one to swallow so if he did swallow it I would get him to a doctor ASAP. If you are licensed perhaps you should call them & I'd write a plan about how this or something like this will not happen again. Also, write down exactly what happened while it's fresh in your mind.

How did the parents respond?

[dingledine]

It is 1.5x.5 So, it is a great rectangle to swallow. Not easy, but I dont' see the part, and he didn't have time to throw it down really. I'm 98% sure he ate it. I texted them, they were concerned, but okay, now I am asking them to take him in, I haven't heard anything.

[dingledine]

the mom is calling the dr to get his opinion.

[TwinKristi]

That's a pretty odd thing to swallow. I could see a small round piece but a rectangle... I have a hard time swallowing large vitamins with a cup of water, I can't imagine a toddler swallowing a hard piece of plastic that shape. I don't know... I would imagine any dr would recommend he gets checked out. It could cause an intestinal blockage if left alone to "wait and see" BUT plastic is very hard to see on X-rays, u/s and they have been very hesitant to do Cat scans if not a true emergency.

[melilley]

That's a pretty odd thing to swallow. I could see a small round piece but a rectangle... I have a hard time swallowing large vitamins with a cup of water, I can't imagine a toddler swallowing a hard piece of plastic that shape. I don't know... I would imagine any dr would recommend he gets checked out. It could cause an intestinal blockage if left alone to "wait and see" BUT plastic is very hard to see on X-rays, u/s and they have been very hesitant to do Cat scans if not a true emergency.

You never know! Remember that thread where someone posted a story on the baby who swallowed one of those gummy pacifiers and how when they went to get it out, it came out in pieces? I never in my life thought a baby could swallow one of those and I still for the life of me can't see how he/she did.

In op's case, when plastic gets wet it gets very slippery, maybe that's how the child swallowed it? I agree, it is an odd thing to swallow.

[TwinKristi]

You never know! Remember that thread where someone posted a story on the baby who swallowed one of those gummy pacifiers and how when they went to get it out, it came out in pieces? I never in my life thought a baby could swallow one of those and I still for the life of me can't see how he/she did.

In op's case, when plastic gets wet it gets very slippery, maybe that's how the child swallowed it? I agree, it is an odd thing to swallow.

To be totally honest, I don't buy that pacifier story 100%...

I'm sure it's remotely physically possible, but just unlikely. I would be worried as heck as the OP. Do you have to report this to licensing and your insurance?

[dingledine]

The mom is on the way, they are going to do an X-Ray. Tonight I am taking ALL of the choking hazards OUT of the daycare. I only brought some in, because of the Early Achievers program I am working with.

[melilley]

To be totally honest, I don't buy that pacifier story 100%...

I'm with ya!

[melilley]

The mom is on the way, they are going to do an X-Ray. Tonight I am taking ALL of the choking hazards OUT of the daycare. I only brought some in, because of the Early Achievers program I am working with.

I wonder how people incorporate toys with mixed age groups, especially if all the kids are together. I only have children 3 and under so I don't have to worry about that, just wondering.

I also don't allow almost all hair accessories. When I worked at a center, an infant pulled a small hair clip out of another child's hair and he swallowed the clip. He had to get an x-ray and sure enough, there it was. Fortunately, it didn't do any harm. We just had to look through his diaper when he had a bm to see if it came out....

[Cradle2crayons]

I have ages 4 months to my daughter who is 10. All of my daughters and sons chick able toys have to stay in their separate rooms. The green room whic is he nap room has toys appropriate for any child under 3 and my living room is choke able toy free.

It's not difficult to keep all the choking things put up, mainly I have to be sure nothing comes out of my kids rooms.

[MissAnn]

My sons walled a 1 inch nail.....hubby's fault. They took X-rays every few days till it came out. It was scary but he was fine.

[Blackcat31]

I wonder how people incorporate toys with mixed age groups, especially if all the kids are together. I only have children 3 and under so I don't have to worry about that, just wondering.

I also don't allow almost all hair accessories. When I worked at a center, an infant pulled a small hair clip out of another child's hair and he swallowed the clip. He had to get an x-ray and sure enough, there it was. Fortunately, it didn't do any harm. We just had to look through his diaper when he had a bm to see if it came out....

I have separate rooms for preschoolers and for infant/toddlers. ALL age appropriate toys stay in the rooms they were meant to be in.

If preschoolers want to do something that has tiny pieces, they do it in a separate room with a barrier or gate so the toddlers can't access them.

I don't allow any hair clips or bows that could be a potential choking hazard.

[dingledine]

The mom went, they did the X-ray, found nothing. They were hoping to see an expansion of the lungs/throat, if there were an issue. They brought him back, we were told to just watch him, and wait to see if something passes.

I can't have a separate room... I just don't have one right now. I do have the big girls do activities at the table, but sometimes those items fall. From now on, I will be the only one to bring those out, watch the whole time, then put them away. Also, any other choking hazards will have to come out.

I'm going to have to file a report with my licensor, and self-report to CPS.

The mom was friendly about the whole thing. Her and her husband are teachers. She even offered to buy me a starbucks on the way back. Considering the circumstances, I really couldn't accept.

Hopefully the toy passes, and that is the end of it. I'm fairly certain he swallowed it.