If you think she swallowed something, but she seems no worse for the wear, the object probably made it all the way down. Still, you should call your pediatrician and tell him what you think your child swallowed. Some coins, medicines, and other objects may need to come out sooner than nature allows.
What will the doctor do?
If you're lucky, the object got caught in the tonsils or just behind. The doctor will be able to slip in, loosen the object, and get it out before your child really starts shrieking. Most likely, though, it's farther down, and that means it's time for the bronchoscope. This is a flexible tube with tiny tweezers and a scope through which the doctor can see into the windpipe and discern what's happening. Your child will have to be under general anesthetic, but the procedure is safe and the scope can act as adeptly as a long, skinny finger. In rare cases, when the windpipe is especially strained, surgery may be the only answer. The entire experience is invasive and often frightening for both children and parents. But the anxiety is nothing compared with the relief you'll both feel when the object comes out. The majority of objects that lodge in the throat cause neither a complete blockage nor any lasting damage.
Is there any way to keep my child from putting stuff in her mouth?
Not really. Young children put any old thing in their mouth. It's a constant risk until about age 4 years, and lectures about the dangers of such curiosity fall on uncomprehending ears. Vigilance is the only policy. You should know, however, which objects pose the highest risk: coins, broken balloon parts, marbles, hot dogs (especially the mini ones), nuts, grapes, popcorn, chunks of meat, carrots. You get the idea. "The danger is particularly high during the holidays, when there are all sorts of interesting foods and toys around," says Ellen Shumann, a pediatrician in Wasau, Wisconsin. "That's when I tell parents to be sure someone's always watching the little ones."
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/phealth/pfirstaid/66238.html
Chances are the doctor will tell you to wait and see if it comes out in her stool in a day or two. If you notice she's having trouble breathing, or having pain anywhere, it will be worth checking out.
BUT as the article says, call the doctor tonight and see what he/she says
Kerry
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Kerry, RN
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