What Should I Do If My Child Swallowed a Whole Peppermint?

Toddlers can easily choke on items that are too big or not properly chewed. For this reason, do not give a young child something she could swallow without chewing that could lodge in her throat. Even raisins can cause a baby to choke, so giving a whole peppermint to a child is not a good idea. If your child gets and swallows one, what to do depends on the situation.

Swallowed Peppermint

• A whole peppermint will not harm a child if it goes down the throat easily and the child does not choke. Peppermint has been a stomach-settling remedy for a long time. It is even a good idea to hand your child a piece of peppermint when he's complaining of motion sickness.
  Occasionally a child will be allergic to peppermint. If your child has swallowed a whole peppermint, pay attention to possible allergic reactions such as hives, itching skin or non-itching red spots on the face, neck or chest. In the worst cases, a child's throat will begin to swell, and possibly his face as well. If the hives occur, make a doctor's appointment and spread a low-dose cortisone cream on the hive spots. If the child's face or throat begins to swell, take him to an emergency room immediately.

Choking: Infant Heimlich Maneuver

• An infant should never be given a peppermint due to the choking hazard. Children often put things in their mouths quickly before a parent may notice, so if this happens with your infant child, it is important to start with clearing the obstruction. Open your child's mouth and grab the peppermint if you can see it.
  If not, you must start the Heimlich maneuver. Hold your infant face down lengthwise on your forearm, supporting the child's head and neck. Using the palm of your hand, firmly pat your child's back between the shoulder blades. If the child begins coughing or crying, stop the patting and allow the child to cough up the object.
  If this does not work, turn the child over and use your fingers tips to give five upward chest thrusts, followed by blowing in the child's mouth. The entire time this is happening, someone should be calling 911 for assistance.

Choking: Toddler/Small Child Heimlich Maneuver

• Lay the child on a hard surface. Kneel down, straddling the toddler's thighs, but do not rest on the child while performing this maneuver. Place your hands, one on top of the other, on the child's abdomen, thrusting upward. Check the child's mouth for the peppermint and remove it if you can see it. If not, continue the procedure. Have someone call 911 while the procedure is being performed.