The kids would pick up anything they find around them and devour it regardless of how edible it is. Mostly, the stuff they choose to get a taste of is inedible like the pebbles they find in the playground, the sand on the beach and many more. Coins are an easy target too and if consumed, here’s how parents should tackle the situation.
If parents are asked certain questions revolving around the kids, they will sound like this:
Do you keep an eye on your little one all the time?
How often do you figure out about the things they have been “tasting”?
Do you succeed in keeping all the “risky” stuff away from their reach?
Parents have a hard time managing multiple tasks with their little ones around. There are times when they are caught up in some other work and the toddler is left alone with the toys. This might sound casual but it is definitely not!
We all know how curious children are and they tend to crawl towards “new toys” which are obviously not for them. Their curious mind needs to know what that gleaming object is “hidden” in mom’s bag!
That’s a coin, baby and it doesn’t taste like candy at all!
We wish kids were this easy to convince. When the baby picks up the coin, there is a good chance that it will be swallowed. Instead off panicking, parents need to stay calm and figure out the depth of the condition.
If the kid is experiencing labored breathing after the incident, it is directing towards urgent medical attention. Also, keep a check on other activities, if they are able to consume food normally or speaking without any difficulty. If you find anything wrong, perform CPR immediately and then take the child to the hospital for emergency treatment.
There can be two cases after the kid has swallowed the coin:
It might have got stuck in the esophagus leading to pain in neck and chest, production of excessive saliva, cough and even vomiting. It can be dangerous for your kid and parents are urged to bring this to their pediatrician’s notice and rush to the hospital.
In the second case, the coin could reach the intestine which is highly risky as the wall could be damaged. If that happens, the parents will notice the change in the coloration of their kid’s stool. It can even have spots of blood. Apart from this, the child would also have stomach pain and vomiting as the stomach is not functioning well under such circumstances. Parents need to get to the ER with their child as soon as possible.
These are the possible cases which require immediate medical attention after the coin has entered into the child’s body.
However, it is not always this bad. According to a pediatrician and internal medicine doctor, Dr. Patricia Kettlehake, “Eighty to 90 percent of the time, coins pass unobstructed. They usually pass in less than four to five days, often within 48 hours. We know that’s relieving to hear!
When the child is not showing any serious symptoms like the ones mentioned above, the condition is not worrisome but the parents still should have a chat with the concerned doctor to make sure everything is fine.
Making the child vomit by inducing is the worst idea ever. Also, if you’ve heard that immediately after they swallow the coin, kids should be given something to eat or drink, then it’s time we burst that myth. It is absolutely wrong!
Let the coin make its way through the body naturally and it will pass. Just make sure, the child is having a good amount of water as it will ensure the smooth passing of the coin.
Even if you cannot be around your toddlers every minute, just be aware of the surroundings they are in and keep all the dangerous stuff far away from them. It will save you from any trouble in the future!
