Seriously panicking.

I was very upset about social service involvement or something too when DD fell off the bed when young but I was told they’re more worried about the kids of parents who don’t take them to A&E after bad accidents at home - so I’d definitely take him if this is your concern. It will be much worse not taking him then something coming up. I’m sure he’s absolutely fine though!

Been there. 2 kids up in the night. Baby teething, gave her calpol, in a sleep deprived stupor left the bottle in the toddlers bedroom, woke up in the morning and I could smell she had been at it.

There was less than a third of a bottle left, but still took her to a&e. They took her temp, it was low, confirming she had taken more than the recommended dose. They then had to take a blood sample. Fortunately, they had numbed her hand with cream, and took the sample when she was asleep. Levels were above recommended but not toxic. The they took it really seriously.

Not a mistake I have ever made again. I had a call from social services that week. It was awful, but I learned. Be safe get him checked

This really is a common problem- my best friend had to take her eldest (now a teenager for a check) when she emptied out a pot of pills. She hadn't taken any but you have to go check, no concerns from the medical staff from doing the check. Neglectful parents are the ones who don't take them in, not the worried ones wanting reassurance!

Take him to A&E OP for your peace of mind. My daughter fell off the bed as a baby and the HV did a routine call a while afterwards so try not to worry about this.

They were shut away in your bag. You were in the shower for 5 minutes. You were unlucky. Err on the side of caution and get him checked. And don’t give yourself a hard time over it.

@needingadvice12 - it’s great you’re taking him to A&E. These things happen. Similar has happened to us. Even if there is social services interest, it will be over very quickly because you have taken responsible corrective action and social services will see that (I speak from experience though the circumstances were slightly different). As PPs have said, far better a few uncomfortable conversations at the hospital than serious harm to your DC.

it would be round his face

Slightly different but when my DS was 2 I thought he'd swallowed a battery and took him to A&E. Someone from the safeguarding team at the hospital came to speak to me and advised I sellotape things up and keep them out of reach. Nothing else happened.

More to the point what do you do?

They'll call you for routine checks when they're ready.

Phone - games, audible etc etc all help while waiting.

I totally get the dilemma of being almost certain he hasn't ingested any and wanting to take care of 100% of your child. And the disruption to you to look after that tiny percentage.

Hugs to you. Here's hoping all's well and you can rest tonight knowing you took good care.

I had something similar to this.

After leaving a pack on the side from earlier in the day, my roughly 3 year old got hold of it and I assume thought a pink ibuprofen was some kind of sweet. I kept asking where it went did she eat it etc she said no, but as I couldn't find it anywhere I just assumed she had. So took her to a+e to be on safe side, they got her to chug a glass full of charcoal liquid ( that was interesting) did some monitoring and let us go a few hours later.

All was fine, they said it was better that I came because worse things come when you don't go and were aware. There was no follow up afterwards from anyone, and when I got home guess where I found the bloody tablet -at the bottom on an empty bin- which I presumed she'd spat out when she tasted it.

I was fine, you will also be fine. Kids know how to keep you on your toes for sure!

Definitely a&e

He's not likely to have invested any of it, it doesn't taste good. Plus, you saw the majority of it on the floor.

Well done for taking him in. I'm a nurse with a severely autistic child so A&E is a last resort for us but this is something I would take her for. Overdosing on Paracetamol can be surprisingly easy to do and consequences can be fatal, the sooner you can get treatment the better, although it sounds very promising that your child didn't have any, it's worth checking out unless you're 100% certain. You won't get into trouble and if anything will be praised for your quick response. All the best.

Ask them to put numbing cream on before the bloods.

They will do them 4 hours after the time of the possible ingestion.

Likely he hasn't had any like you said but you need to be sure.

Take distractions to keep him calm as you will have to wait before having bloods done and after a few hours for the results to come back.

It happens, try not to worry you won't be in trouble just be more mindful in future. The HV might phone you to discuss safe medication storage but that will be it.

There will be an automated notification to SS but nothing will happen. This isn’t a concern.

Glad you're getting him checked out, but sure all will be fine!

Take the lad to McDonald's afterwards! He hasn't done anything wrong and no kid likes to go to hospital.

Paracetamol is so dangerous so definitely get him checked out at A&E.

Agree that social services aren't looking for more work. You would only come to their attention (if even you do) because you've done exactly the right thing by taking him to hospital as soon as you found out. That's what a responsible parent would do.

This is really common! He probably didn't even eat any. My niece got into the calpol once and poured it all over the place rather than drinking any by the looks of things, but her mum had to take her to a&e anyway to be safe.

I think they did make a note of it but she wasn't in trouble. I also remember sitting in children's a&e waiting room and every little child in there seemed to be there because they had or might have eaten something they shouldn't have (including my own dc - random berries off a bush when we were out on a walk in her case 🙄)

Hope your son is OK 💐

I doubt he would have eaten any given the terrible taste, so sure A&E will be able to reassure you he is ok (and take bloods if they deem appropriate. You certainly won’t be reported to social services, these things happen. Lesson for the future, maybe a locked box if you have any other meds.