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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Seriously panicking.

81 replies

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 19:47

Stupidly went for a shower earlier with 5 y/o DS watching tv
Were in a flat so I can see him, he is ND.

Came out of the bathroom to find he’s been in my work bag, opened my paracetamol capsules and all the powder is on the floor. I didn’t even realise my work bag was on the floor.

I don’t think he’ll have eaten any of it, he said no but I am still so panicked. There was a lot of the powder.

Anyone advise?

OP posts:

LonelyLeveret · 09/05/2025 20:05

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 19:58

I’m petrified I’ll end up with bloody social services.

I work in A+E. I would literally only be interested in measuring the paracetamol levels to make sure your kid is safe. Nobody is looking to involve social services or get you into trouble. This sort of thing happens, you don't have eyes in the back of your head.

themagicmonkey · 09/05/2025 20:06

Sorry if this sounds patronising. But take 30 seconds and some deep breaths, then take the kid to A&E/minor injuries to be on the safe side (don't drive in a state). Social services are swamped with work - they're not going to take away your kid because they got hold of some paracetamol, and you've gone straight in to get them checked out.

Shmee1988 · 09/05/2025 20:07

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 19:51

He wouldn’t have eaten the maximum dosage in the powder. He won’t even take calpol. He’s just dumped it on the floor

If you're saying he won't have eaten it, what exactly is it you're worried about?

Dreichweather · 09/05/2025 20:07

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 19:58

I’m petrified I’ll end up with bloody social services.

Being very blunt, better with SS than a dead child or child with liver failure and police involvement.

Original poster

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 20:09

I tend to get abit neurotic with my son’s health. He is my whole world! Although the rational part of my brain is saying he’s fine, he wouldn’t have eaten any, the anxious bit is arguing. But remaining calm and will be taking him to get checked once our taxi arrives :)

OP posts:

Ponderingwindow · 09/05/2025 20:13

Social services will not be upset with you for making a common mistake and following up with appropriate medical care. Take him to a&e.

for the future, I needed to carry meds when dd was little and having them in childproof containers wasn’t practical, so I found a bag that worked nicely. It was sort of like a small makeup bag, but had a zipper that could take a lock. I used a combination lock. Think the kind of bag they used to use to cash out registers and take money to the bank, but smaller. Maybe they still use them, I haven’t worked retail in ages

Original poster

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 20:14

Honestly I usually have them in a high up kitchen cupboard. I’ve got terrible hay fever at the minute and it gives me a headache, I didn’t even remember I had them in my work bag

OP posts:

Zanatdy · 09/05/2025 20:17

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.

ByeByeByeee · 09/05/2025 20:18

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 💐

Jigsawasaurus · 09/05/2025 20:18

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.

Original poster

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 20:19

I’m 99.9% sure he didn’t eat any. But I don’t want to risk that 0.1%

Waiting for our taxi. He has requested McDonald’s so he’ll be in for a shock.

OP posts:

themagicmonkey · 09/05/2025 20:20

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

Original poster

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 20:22

He will be having McDonald’s lol (so will I!)

Has anyone experienced this before? What do they do in hospital?

OP posts:

WickWood · 09/05/2025 20:22

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

Riaanna · 09/05/2025 20:24

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 19:58

I’m petrified I’ll end up with bloody social services.

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

Choconuttolata · 09/05/2025 20:28

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.

onanislandfaraway · 09/05/2025 20:28

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.

Original poster

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 20:30

Honestly it has never happened before! I’ve never ever left tablets within reach. And DS has never gone near medicine anyway, if anything he wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole

OP posts:

Bigcat25 · 09/05/2025 20:30

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.

Oioisavaloy27 · 09/05/2025 20:31

Definitely a&e

Lubilu02 · 09/05/2025 20:33

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!

semideponent · 09/05/2025 20:36

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 20:22

He will be having McDonald’s lol (so will I!)

Has anyone experienced this before? What do they do in hospital?

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.

JLou08 · 09/05/2025 20:36

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 19:54

Thank you. I’ll go now.
I feel so stupid. I’m not going to get into trouble am I. It’s never ever happened before.

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.

pavillion1 · 09/05/2025 20:37

it would be round his face

Original poster

needingadvice12 · 09/05/2025 20:37

Hes got his tablet and a there’s a vending machine full of chocolate, he won’t be bothered haha

OP posts:

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