Key points
- It is very uncommon for objects to get stuck in a child’s food pipe (oesophagus), stomach or intestines. If this does happen to your child, a health professional may need to remove it.
- Some objects can be dangerous if your child swallows them, such as button batteries, water beads, magnets and lead objects, like fishing weights.
- Call Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia) if you are worried your child may have swallowed something poisonous.
- You should take your child to hospital if they have swallowed an object and have symptoms such as drooling, trouble swallowing, pain in their chest, neck or tummy, ongoing vomiting, or blood in their vomit or poo.
- Call an ambulance (000) if your child swallows a button battery or magnets, or if they are choking and cannot breathe.
What is a swallowed object?
Children like to put things in their mouths – especially when they are young. This is a normal part of sensory development. However, children may accidentally swallow inedible objects such as coins, toys and beads. Health professionals often call these ‘ingested foreign bodies.’
Most objects that children swallow are harmless. They will pass through their digestive system and come out in their poo without causing any problems.
It is very uncommon for objects to get stuck in a child’s food pipe (oesophagus), stomach or intestines. Objects more than 6cm long or 2cm wide are more likely to get stuck. In these cases, a health professional may need to remove the object.
Dangerous swallowed objects
Some objects can be dangerous if your child swallows them.
Call Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia) if you are worried your child may have swallowed something poisonous.
Button batteries
A button battery is as dangerous as poison when swallowed. It can burn through a child’s food pipe (oesophagus) in just two hours, causing serious injuries, bleeding or death.
- Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child swallows a button battery or take them straight to hospital.
- Do not try to make them vomit – this can cause the battery to burn faster.
- Give them two teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes until you reach the hospital. This will form a barrier around the battery to reduce chemical burns.
Magnets
If your child swallows more than one magnet, or a magnet and another metal object, they can attract each other in the body. This strong pull can pinch on internal organs like the intestines and cause serious injuries such as holes, blockages and other life-threatening injuries.
- Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child swallows multiple magnets or a magnet and a metal object.
Water beads
Water beads are small toys that grow in water. They are made of a very absorbent material; if your child swallows even one bead, it can expand in their body and block their intestines.
- Take your child to hospital if they have swallowed one or more water beads.
Lead objects
Swallowing objects containing lead can cause lead poisoning if they stay in the intestines for too long. This type of lead poisoning – from one, high-level exposure – can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures and coma.
Fewer objects contain lead today, but it is still used in things like fishing weights. Old house paint and toys purchased overseas may also contain lead.
- Take your child to hospital if they have swallowed a lead object or something you think may have lead in it.
How to care for a child who has swallowed an object
Many children do not show any signs or symptoms after swallowing an object.
If your child has swallowed an object, you can look after them at home provided you are sure it was not a button battery, lead object, water bead or magnets, and they do not have any of the following symptoms:
- Coughing or breathing problems
- Trouble swallowing
- Drooling
- Abdominal (tummy) pain
- Ongoing vomiting
- Pain in their chest or neck.
Take your child to hospital if they have any of these symptoms, or if you are not sure what they have swallowed. It is better to be safe. There is no need to examine your child’s poo for the object.
What happens in hospital
A health professional will ask what your child has swallowed. Bring an example of the object, if you can. They may choose to do an x-ray if the object is dense, like metal, glass or rocks. However, plastic, wood and aluminium will not show up on an x-ray.
When the medical team know more about the swallowed object and any symptoms, they will decide whether it is low or high-risk and if your child needs further care.
- Dangerous objects like button batteries and magnets need urgent removal.
- Water beads and objects containing lead may need removal.
- Anything stuck in the food pipe (oesophagus) often needs to be removed.
How to avoid your child swallowing objects
- Before allowing your child to play with an object, make sure it is well-made and will not fall apart easily.
- Store small objects, including toys, out of reach of young children.
- This includes toys and household objects such as coins.
- Always supervise your child when they are playing with small objects.
- Avoid keeping small magnets in your house.
- Buy toys that are suitable for your child’s age and avoid any with known safety risks, such as expandable water toys and strong magnets.
- Try to avoid buying objects with button batteries.
- Make sure all battery compartments are secure, and your child cannot easily open them.
When to get help
Call an ambulance (000) if:
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- your child is choking and cannot breathe.
- your child is coughing non-stop or having trouble breathing.
- your child has swallowed a button battery.
- give them two teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes until you reach the hospital.
- your child has swallowed magnets, or a magnet and a metal object.
- your child has swallowed something poisonous.
- call Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia) to confirm.
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Go to a hospital if:
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- you are not sure what your child has swallowed.
- your child has swallowed a lead object or a water bead.
- your child has trouble swallowing food or drink.
- your child is drooling.
- your child has pain in their chest, neck or tummy.
- your child has ongoing vomiting.
- your child has abdominal (tummy) pain.
- your child has blood in their vomit or poo.
- your child has a fever (temperature of 38°C or more).
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See a doctor or health professional if:
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- you know your child has not passed the swallowed object after two weeks, and you are worried.
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Look after your child at home if:
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- you are sure they have not swallowed a button battery, water bead, lead object or magnets.
- they do not have any symptoms after swallowing an object.
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Common questions about swallowed objects
If the object my child swallowed is sharp, will it cause damage when it passes through their digestive system?
Sharp objects like small bits of broken glass and drawing pins will most likely pass once they are in the digestive system. It is very unlikely that they will cause internal damage once they are in the stomach or intestines. The digestive organs have evolved to cope with sharp objects.
How long does it usually take for a child to pass a swallowed object?
It usually takes a child around three days to pass a swallowed object, but it can take up to two weeks. As long as your child shows no signs or symptoms, you do not need to worry. If you are concerned, you can speak with a doctor or health professional.
Why are button batteries so dangerous?
When a button battery touches saliva, it creates an electrical circuit that starts a chemical reaction wherever the battery is stuck. In just two hours, this reaction can eat into the tissue of the food pipe (oesophagus) and breathing pipe (airway), causing serious injury or death.
Can I still give my child food and water after they have swallowed an object?
If your child is not drooling and not in pain, you can start by giving them a sip of water. If they tolerate this, you can give them a small bite of food. If they are drooling or distressed, do not give them anything and seek medical help.
applies to traditional gambling, like slot machines and digital gambling, like online poker.
For more information
Call an ambulance (000) immediately in an emergency.
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed January 2026
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.