Toddler eaten a stone - should I worry?

[Fi from West Dulwich]

Why oh why do I ever think I can just leave my toddler for a second and finish doing something, or take a second for myself, when I know that the repercussions more than negate any satisfaction or benefit from said activity? This morning's regret was finishing an email when I knew there was a stone on the door mat, which, it appears, 16 month old O has swallowed. Can't find it anywhere and O appeared looking surprised and a bit sheepish, and drooling. Doesn't appear to have had any ill effects and didn't interfere with breathing, but was a fairly largish irregularly shaped pebble, although thankfully quite flat and not sharp. I know, I know, deeply irresponsible of me to leave him unmonitored with said stone, but he normally just drops them in the dog bowl. Googled advice seems to be to watch out for it in nappies over next week (nice), and if doesn't appear then to go to Dr for x-ray, but can't stop the parental anxiety and would be v grateful for any other advice or tales of similar experiences.

[Fuschia]

DS1 swallowed a coin, they xrayed him to check it was in stomach not lungs and said it would turn up by itself (we never spotted it though)

I'd watch out for any signs it is affecting breathing or blocking intestines, otherwise probably don't worry too much!!! How big was it?

[Fi from West Dulwich]

Hmmm, hard to say, maybe 50p piece but a bit more oval shaped, and flattish. Can't believe something that big wouldn't have caused more distress or disturbance though, but can't find the wretched thing on floor so stomach seems the likely location. Don't think in lungs but yes, shall monitor nappy filling and hope for the best! Thank you for the reply, always reassuring.

[new mother]

Id get an xray.

[Fuschia]

Fi from West Dulwich Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hmmm, hard to say, maybe 50p piece but a bit more

> oval shaped, and flattish. Can't believe something

> that big wouldn't have caused more distress or

> disturbance though, but can't find the wretched

> thing on floor so stomach seems the likely

> location. Don't think in lungs but yes, shall

> monitor nappy filling and hope for the best! Thank

> you for the reply, always reassuring.

Hmm.. if that's big maybe you should get him checked out!

[snowboarder]

Mine ate a large white button that eas easily 50pence sized. I didn't know he had until I found in nappy. Ignorance is bliss, I suppose....

[Fi from West Dulwich]

Thanks for this and all replies, since spoken to A and E and NHS Direct and advice is, as clearly not obstructing breathing or causing ill effects, to watch nappies for next 2 weeks, and if no appearance, to go to GP. Just hoping he has the constitution of an ox.

[buggie]

don't know if the stone would be visible on XR and second the advice you've been given to watch nappies - also if he was to start vomiting lots or lost appetite as this could be early indication of bowel obstruction.

Noteworthy to all is please NOT to ring A&E asking for advice - the nurses aren't legally covered to give phone advice(unlike with NHS direct), won't be able to fully reassure as for an A&E nurse the most important part is seeing the child face-to-face (even after nearly 9yrs A&E experience I'll still suggest coming in than being able to wholeheartedly say all is ok without seeing them).

Can also lead to delays in treatment of children/families already in the dept (is infuriating as these calls often come when we're rushed off our feet and when we try and explain this to the caller's they take umbridge!).

Either call NHS direct, SELDOC or if so concerned just come in to the dept.

[Fi from West Dulwich]

Just wanted to report the happy outcome to the stone saga - found in his nappy tonight, hurrah! Phew.

[buggie]

Good good!! Have had several swallowed coins return for rpt xr's having not been found only to show it must have passed without being noticed!

[new mother]

excellent. :-)