Let me share a story about a dad who had one of those heart-stopping moments we all fear.
He was home with his one-year-old while his wife was out running errands. Everything seemed fine—until he noticed his little one had gotten into a balm left on the floor and was eating it like it was her favorite snack.
The balm didn’t have an ingredient list, just a big, bold warning: “For external use only. Call poison control if ingested.”
Naturally, panic set in.
Without wasting a second, he Googled the poison control hotline and made the call. They were calm and professional, walking him through exactly what to do: clean her mouth, check for anything unusual, and keep an eye on her for a bit.
Luckily, the balm turned out to be mostly harmless (basically Vaseline with a few essential oils), and his daughter was completely fine. Now, none of us want to find ourselves in a situation like this, but just in case it ever happens, here’s a quick guide to help you stay calm and handle it like a pro.
Step 1: The Chaos of Dad Life (AKA, Stay Calm)
Parenting is like being the captain of a ship in a constant storm—you’re holding it together, but barely. And when you’re solo parenting, Murphy’s Law will make sure when things can go sideways.
When your kid eats something mysterious, it’s okay to have that moment of panic. Just remember: toddlers seem to have titanium stomachs and an uncanny ability to sniff out the weirdest things.
Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’ve got this.
Step 2: Assess the Situation
First things first: figure out what your kid just put in their mouth. Was it a snack they’d thrown on the floor earlier? A Lego? Or something even less appetizing?
Look around for clues—wrappers, packaging, or the item itself. And if you cannot see anything in sight, ask them.
Toddlers are terrible at keeping secrets. If they look guilty or extra proud of themselves, that’s your first hint. If you’re unsure, always take a photo of the object and its label. It’ll help when explaining the situation to the experts.
Step 3: Call the Experts
This is where the professionals come in. Don’t let embarrassment stop you from calling poison control (or your pediatrician). They’ve heard it all, and they’re not judging you. Whether it’s sunscreen, Play-Doh, or dog treats, they’ll guide you through what to do next.
By the time you are reading this, dads, it’s time to save the poison control number in your phone right now.
Or save the number of your nearest medical center or hospital. You’ll thank yourself later.
Here’s a quick video to guide you further with that to do:
Step 4: Follow Instructions
Once poison control gives you the lowdown, follow their advice to the letter. It might involve rinsing your kid’s mouth, monitoring for symptoms, or just keeping an eye on them for a bit.
Tips for Prevention
Sometimes you can baby-proof your house to the max, and kids will still find a way to eat something they shouldn’t. But here are a few tips, prevention is better than the cure:
- Keep anything labeled “For external use only” out of reach (or at least out of sight).
- Regularly check the floor for hazards, especially if you’ve got an older kid who loves to leave a trail of crumbs and toys
- Always cut chunky food to small bite size for them (not adult bite size of course)
- Check for coins, magnets, button batteries. Do not leave them within reach of those tiny hands.
Conclusion: You’re Doing Great, Dad!
Every parent has been in your shoes, and every kid seems to survive their own snack-related experiments. It’s all part of the wild ride we call parenting.
So the next time you catch your little one eating something questionable, take a deep breath, follow these steps, and remember—you’re doing an amazing job. And hey, if nothing else, you’ve got a hilarious story to share at the next family gathering.
Cheers to surviving another day in dad life!