PANIC! 10 month old are water beads at childminders!!

[Ramallama]

My 10 month old had a dodgy nappy with something very strange in it that was a soft ball. Later I saw photos on Instagram from the childminder that showed him playing with water beads!

I’ve read that they can cause all kinds of problems if eaten, and they really shouldn’t have been around a baby.
He’s constipated and not eating much but breastfeeding fine and not vomiting. I don’t know whether to go to a and e or not in case there’s more in him?

Also would you report this to ofsted?! Having swallowable toys around a baby seems like a very obvious bad move, and surely childminders should know better?! I’ve asked the childminder and she said she wasn’t going to do water beads again, but I’m surprised she did in the first place.

We have these in my school now and again for sensory play (school for autistic kids) and one kid has definitely eaten them on more than one occasion despite our best efforts. They go everywhere. He was fine if that's any consolation.

I would go to A and E to be honest. Better to be safe.

Having just googled, I think I'd be taking to A&E or at least be ringing 111, but that might take too much time on hold.

Hope your DS is ok

Google states to seek medical attention immediately and poison control.

Having reread and paid attention to the not eating much and being constipated, I would definitely be going to A&E right now to get him checked

Just from a quick Google, there's an article about a ten month old baby who swallowed some of these and needed surgery due to intestinal damage, I think I'd head to a&e just to be on the safe side. I'm sure he will be fine but better safe than sorry.

I was following a woman on Tik Tok who's child became profoundly disabled by consuming the beads.
I would get her to a Dr ASAP.

I hope you are on the way and getting him checked.

Report the childminder and don't take your baby back there.

They should have been banned a very long time ago, there was a fad for them but not for long as they are toxic.

I'm sure your baby will be fine but I would also check with 111 as the beads absorb moisture until they are marble sized. Better to be safe.

I threw every single one out and told nursery dd isn't allowed anywhere near them. They've been banned from all local playgroups in my area.

I surprised at them being used with such young children.

The childminder has been incredibly negligent here.

I would take him to a and e to be sure. The beads can continue growing inside and cause blockages so I'd want to have him checked out.

Also try not to worry while you wait, we haven't had these beads but my daughter has swallowed a large chunk of foam and some silica gel and both times I convinced myself she was going to come to some serious harm but she was ok. That sick worry feeling is just horrific though.

They are awful things. I hope all is ok, OP x

They're dangerous if eaten dry, due to the swelling up.
I used to use them a lot in sensory activities for autistic children before the dangers were flagged up.

Having said that, swallowing an already hydrated bead shouldn't be an issue..

He’s constipated and not eating much

I missed this bit. Yep, I think I'd want him checked over.

@Ramallama how is your little one?

Hope your little one is ok op, do let us know.

Sorry I couldn’t log back in to mumsnet- I am the OP but had to create a new account just to reply!

I was keeping an eye on him overnight, all ready to go to the hospital this morning. Then he ate breakfast and pooed with a normal nappy so I think he must have only eaten one water bead. He seems very happy.

Im not sure about what to do with the childminder though. I’ve lost a lot of faith in her to be honest. I feel like as a childminder, keeping choking hazards away from babies is just a basic requirement!! I’m not sure where to go from here, there’s hardly anyone locally with space for a baby in their setting and I am starting my new job tomorrow so he has to go there :(

Oh god…response from the childminder has been not great. Rude even!

My message:
All good today! He’s pooed and eaten! No sign of any more water beads. Phew! Please can you make sure any small items are away from him, he is a baby and shouldn’t be around choking hazards at all.

The reply:
Yes of course, we supervise all messy play and like I said in previous message when another child went to put it in her mouth we packed it straight away.
We purposely don’t use small object toys like Lego for that reason but we aren’t nanny’s and can’t provide one on one care. I sorry he managed to find one and like I said before I won’t be using them again, it’s strange as in all my years childminding and being a parent, i have never had a child eat something. Glad he is ok. See you in the morning x

'Never had a child eat something' absolute bollocks they are designed to investigate by putting stuff in their mouth.

I wouldn't be happy she hasn't used taste safe stuff

The childminder has totally missed the point - they can’t provide 1:1 care so they shouldn’t have anything available to the little ones which could hurt them. Of course children eat things, she literally says that another child went to put one in her mouth!

Sorry OP, I know it’s a huge pain in the backside but I’d be searching local childcare for an alternative place.

I know! How is she blaming my baby for putting things in his mouth when he’s 10months old and that is what babies do?!

Why have them at all!