Baby Swallowed a Foreign Object
The short answer
Babies and toddlers explore the world by putting things in their mouths, and accidental swallowing of small objects is common. Most small, smooth, non-toxic objects (like a small bead or coin) will pass through the digestive system without harm within 2-5 days. However, some swallowed objects are medical emergencies. Button batteries, magnets (especially multiple magnets), and sharp objects require immediate emergency care as they can cause serious internal injury within hours. If you know or suspect your child swallowed something, contact your pediatrician or go to the emergency room.
By Age
What to expect by age
Babies under 1 year are at risk for swallowing small objects once they can grasp and bring things to their mouth (around 4-6 months). Common ingested items include buttons, beads, and small toy parts. Signs that a baby has swallowed something include gagging, drooling, refusing to eat, or pointing to the throat or chest. If you suspect your baby has swallowed something and they are breathing normally, call your pediatrician or poison control (1-800-222-1222) immediately. If choking, follow infant choking first aid.
Toddlers are the highest-risk age group for foreign body ingestion. Coins are the most commonly swallowed objects. Most smooth, small objects will pass through without treatment, but an X-ray may be needed to confirm the object's location and track its passage. Do NOT induce vomiting. Watch for signs of obstruction: vomiting, abdominal pain, refusing to eat, drooling, or failure to pass the object within 4-7 days. Always save the object after it passes so your doctor can confirm it has been fully expelled.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child swallowed a small, smooth, non-toxic object (like a small bead) and is breathing and eating normally - still contact your pediatrician for guidance
- The object passes in the stool within a few days
- Your child swallowed any foreign object - always inform your pediatrician
- A swallowed coin or small smooth object has not passed in 4-7 days
- Your child has mild symptoms like gagging or discomfort after swallowing something
- Your child swallowed a button battery - this is a medical emergency requiring immediate ER evaluation
- Your child swallowed a magnet, especially if more than one magnet or a magnet plus metal object
- Your child swallowed a sharp object (pin, needle, tack, glass)
- Difficulty breathing, drooling, inability to swallow, or chest/throat pain after swallowing an object
- Vomiting, abdominal pain, or blood in stool after swallowing an object
Sources
Related Resources
Related Digestive Concerns
Baby Choking or Coughing on Milk or Liquids
It is common for babies to occasionally cough, sputter, or have milk come out of their nose during feeding, especially in the early weeks. This usually happens because of a fast milk flow (letdown), an immature swallowing coordination, or feeding in a position that is too reclined. Occasional choking episodes during feeding that resolve quickly are usually not serious. Adjusting feeding position, pacing the feed, and using a slower-flow nipple can help.
Baby Swallowed a Magnet
A swallowed magnet is a medical emergency, especially if more than one magnet was swallowed or if a magnet was swallowed along with a metallic object. Multiple magnets can attract each other through intestinal walls, pinching and perforating the bowel, which can cause life-threatening complications within hours. Even a single magnet should be evaluated because you may not know if your child also swallowed another one. Go to the emergency room immediately. Do NOT wait for symptoms to develop and do NOT try to induce vomiting.
Baby Put Something Up Their Nose
Toddlers frequently put small objects up their noses - beads, food, peas, small toy parts, tissue, and more. Sometimes you see it happen, but other times the first clue is a foul-smelling, one-sided nasal discharge days later. If you can see the object and your child is calm, you can try the "mother's kiss" technique (closing the clear nostril and gently puffing into your child's mouth). If you cannot see it or your first attempt fails, do not keep trying - see your pediatrician or visit urgent care.
Baby Put Something in Their Ear
Toddlers sometimes insert small objects into their ear canals - beads, small food, crayon tips, small toy parts, and occasionally insects fly or crawl in. Unlike nasal foreign bodies, ear foreign bodies should almost always be removed by a medical professional because the ear canal is narrow and the eardrum can be easily damaged. Do not try to remove objects with tweezers, cotton swabs, or your fingers, as you are likely to push them deeper.
My Baby's Belly Looks Swollen
A rounded, slightly protruding belly is completely normal in babies and toddlers due to immature abdominal muscles and their proportionally larger organs. However, if the belly becomes suddenly swollen, feels hard and tight, or is accompanied by pain, vomiting, or changes in bowel movements, it needs medical evaluation as it could signal gas buildup, constipation, or rarely, something more serious.
My Baby Has an Anal Fissure (Blood When Pooping)
A small streak of bright red blood on the surface of your baby's stool or on the diaper is most commonly caused by an anal fissure, which is a tiny tear in the skin around the anus from passing hard stool. Anal fissures are very common in babies and toddlers and usually heal on their own with simple measures like keeping stools soft. While this is rarely serious, any blood in your baby's stool should be mentioned to your pediatrician.