Babies are most prone to swallowing foreign objects around the age of 1-3. During this age group, the reflex protective function of the throat is not fully developed, and the teeth are not fully grown, resulting in relatively poor chewing function. When a baby eats hastily or plays around while eating, it can cause accidental ingestion. So, what should a baby do if they swallow a plum kernel?
Normally, if the foreign object swallowed by the baby is small in shape, such as a plum pit or a small glass ball, there is no need to worry too much about such small objects. After metabolism, the baby will excrete them on their own. Parents should carefully check every bowel movement of their baby until they expel foreign objects. In general, foreign objects can stay in the human gastrointestinal tract for up to three days. If no foreign objects are found in the baby's feces after three days, they must be immediately taken to the hospital for examination.
When a baby swallows foreign objects such as plums, it is recommended to eat more fiber rich foods to promote metabolism and facilitate bowel movements, which can be eliminated from the body within 2-3 days. Remember, parents should not mistakenly believe that laxatives can promote the excretion of foreign objects when the baby swallows them but fails to expel them. This practice is absolutely unacceptable.
After swallowing foreign objects such as plums, the baby's respiratory tract is relatively narrow and their metabolic rate is relatively high, resulting in a high demand for oxygen. If the trachea is blocked, the baby's face will turn black and purple. If it cannot be expelled, it will quickly cause the baby to lack oxygen, and in severe cases, it may suffocate and die. So once abnormal symptoms are found in the baby, they should go to the hospital immediately to avoid delaying treatment.
