2yr old won't swallow

[Spilledmycoffee]

Dd is 2 yrs 4 months. Today she has suddenely stopped swallowing - as in she is holding saliva in her mouth until she can't any more then it goes down her front. She hasn't eaten all day because of this, and had only had a little drink of water this morning. She has also stopped talking because she's trying to hold it all in.

I've tried physically opening her mouth and checking for foreign bodies, and basically drying it all up with a flannel. It hasn't helped.

I've just put some cake in front of her which she is interested it but won't put in her mouth.

She doesn't seem particularly bothered by it. She's about due for a nap so I want to see what shes doing after that, and if no change I might call nhs 111 and see what they say.

Can anybody shed light on this?

Ok so she's asleep now, and as I suspected once her mouth was relaxed all the saliva has dribbled out (straight into my lap).

Anyone at all with any thoughts?

tonsillitis? hurts for her to swallow?

Poor thing. Definitely ring 111 if you haven’t already. My guess is sore throat or a painful mouth ulcer.

Ohh I hadn't considered it could be her throat. Of course. Silly me. I'll ring the GP

I rang 111 and they've said to see the GP today. Thank you! Her throat had honestly not crossed my mind. I've spent hald the day thinking she's playing some strange new game else I'd have given Calpol by now.

hope she feels better soon x

Hope you can get seen soon. Don't be surprised and please don't panic if you are asked to go to A&E - a child drooling and not swallowing can be a symptom of an infection that might lead to even more serious throat swelling with little notice. Since HiB vaccination was introduced the occurrence of this has plummetted and it is now very rare, but doctors will still have very low thresholds for considering it and asking for specialist help.

Keeping calm around a child in that situation is important.

Hopefully it's not that bad and the GP will see tonsillitis and no-one will have to worry. Best wishes.

The doctor thinks laryngitis. She said to keep on with Calpol for now and see the out of hours gp if she gets any worse, and to go back next week for a check up.

Dd has been very brave letting the GP look in her mouth and has very reluctantly swallowed the Calpol that I gave her. She's started talking again which is lovely. I was starting to miss her little voice! Thanks for all the advice

Awwww really hope she’s soon back to normal. Glad calpol helping a bit. If she will drink warm drinks that will
Keep her throat lubricated and is soothing . Also a long bath in a steamy bathroom can be soothing.