Feeling like the worst mum. Do I take my toddler straight to A&E?

[NothernAurora]

I am feeling sick with worry and just like the worst mum ever. I've been alone with my 20mo for a few days and today was a very busy day. I was letting him play in the garden by himself whilst keeping an eye on him every couple of minutes so I could cook us lunch / do laundry etc.

I saw he was playing with stones from the flower beds - just transferring them from the pot to his chair and sitting on them. I haven't seen him eat non food for some time. But then I checked and he did have the stone in his mouth that he spat out. They are white stones and covered in sort of chalky material.

Fast forward to 10pm and he vomitted all of his milk and dinner... i called 111 and they said a clinician will call back to assess properly. 4 hours later (now) he vomitted just some bile / saliva. Chased 111, was told service too busy but they'd sent an update to the clinical team.

When I was in the garden with my toddler (after the stone thing) I stopped him eating mud and now I am paranoid what if he picked a mushroom... or a random berry off the ground ans ate it.... I am terrified.

Please don't judge. I am already beating myself up way more than you could imagine. I had a debilitating PPA worrying about every single thing and being super OTT and have been recently trying (with the help of medication) to stop worrying so much. And where it got me.

Do I take him straight to A&E? Or still waiting for the call back from 111? Why is it taking so very long :(

Oh OP. Raising children is constant terror. Hope you are ok. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Is there the remainder of any plants or mushrooms in the vomit. You might be able to get some help with ID if so here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/YvE9ndyLwBFf74Rg/?mibextid=K35XfP

sending hugs x

Are there any other symptoms apart from the vomiting? If you’re going to be up all night too anxious to sleep, I’d say go to A and E and put your mind at rest.

No other symptoms, but he was reaaaaally sleepy when 111 were doing an assessment. He did manage to get up but wouldn't talk and would just want to go back to sleep. He doesn't seem to be in pain and has been sleeping well in these 4 hours, apart from the last vomit. I think I might start getting dressed and ready to go. It's just been too long. Why couldn't they sent us there already?

Can you check how busy your local A&E is as some hospitals seem to have this service. It might be worth taking him if they aren't to bust and you are up anyway rather the waiting for 111.

Don't worry most kids have eaten dirt it doesn't normally do them any harm he may have just come down with a bug at the same time. But they are always happy to check out small children.

I couldn't see anything like that... it is probably unlikely but because I didn't have my eyes on him every second I am now panicking. I wouldn't know what to take... the mushrooms would have been cut by the mower but cuttings are left on grass. They are tiny sort of brownish mushrooms... and we have many various plants from the precious owners and I don't know what they are but didn't know that they also can be poisonous. And just completely forgot about berries. Didn't even cross my mind ever.

Its far more likely that he was sleepy when 111 did their assessment because of the time of night.
It's likely its just a coincidence that he's been vomiting after playing in the garden.

Do you have any support for your anxiety at all?

I would go to A&E to be honest, there is no way 111 can tell you he is ok

Personally I would go to A&E.

We had a choking incident where we think something was swallowed but we didn't know what.

Thankfully all was fine, but I have no regrets in taking him in.

Aww I know this feeling. Could he be just coming down with something?

Take him if you are worried. It will make the night worse for him but it will be over by tomorrow. Can you take some pictures of some possible plants outside for us to identify?

Does he go to nursery? Could it be a tummy bug? If you are worried go to A&E. It’s probably nothing but better to be safe than sorry.

I think anyone would be anxious @HamBagelNoCheese if their child had potentially swallowed a foreign object and was then subsequently ill.

If my child was otherwise well previously then has potentially eaten stones and started vomiting,including bile, I would go to A and E to rule out an obstruction.

111 won’t be able to do any diagnostic tests which could help your decision making so it’s time wasting for you as it’s not going to give you tangible evidence to calm anxiety.

Please go to A and E.

I’m sure the staff would much rather see you than to have you worry. Previously poster has mentioned checking for obstruction.

I don't want to pile-on because I can see you are worried, but for the benefit of anyone else reading, you cannot leave a 1 year old unsupervised in a garden.They can get themselves up to trouble in seconds.You also need to make it your business to know if you have toxic plants! Prepare yourself for some pretty intense questioning.

Did he swallow a stone?

Thank you everyone for your replies, it's so hard with anxiety to know whether I was overreacting or not. Went to A&E, assessed & were kept for a couple of hours to make sure he retaining fluids. Docs not worried, soft tummy, said no scans as it won't show up on the scan even if he swallowed the stone. The stone will pass on its own.

He is back to being happy, energetic and do far has kept his breakfast and a snack in.

We were home by 6am and there was still no call from 111 at that point.

Glad your hear your little one is feeling better!

Thank you! The doctor actually said exactly what the PP said, that it is likely a stomach bug and just coincidental with the garden play.

Glad you little one is OK. Have a Google and see if there is a local horticultural society in your area. One of the members might be willing to pop round, in return for tea and cake, and identify what the plants are and if there are any you should be aware of. Even though it wasn't an issue this time, it would still be good to know.