Button batteries are small round batteries that can look like buttons or coins. They're used in hearing aids, toys, watches, calculators, electronic thermometers, key fobs, and remote controls. Swallowing a button battery can cause serious damage to the digestive tract. 

Your child swallowed a button battery. Your health care provider gave your child medicine to help them sleep and not feel pain (called anesthesia), then removed the battery. You can now care for your child at home.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for: 

• Giving your child any medicines 
• Any special diet instructions
• When to follow up

Some kids have a sore throat for a few days from the breathing tube used during anesthesia. If your child's throat is sore:

• Offer cold drinks and ice pops.
• If your health care provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.

Your child:

• Throws up more than once
• Gets a fever
• Has chest or belly pain
• Is coughing a lot or has noisy breathing
• Has poop (a bowel movement) that looks bloody or black

Your child:

• Has trouble breathing
• Can't swallow
• Throws up or coughs up blood or something that looks like coffee grounds
• Has a hard belly or severe belly pain

What happens when someone swallows a button battery? When someone swallows a button battery, the electrical charge and leaking chemicals from the battery can damage the digestive tract. Depending on where the battery is in the digestive tract and how long it has been there, it can lead to swelling, blockage, or a breakdown of the digestive tract lining. It can even burn a hole through the digestive tract, which is a serious medical emergency. 

How can I protect my child from dangerous items at home? To protect your child:

• Teach your child to never put a battery or any other nonfood object in their mouth.
• Keep dangerous items out of reach of children, including:
  • Button batteries and products that may have button batteries in them (for example, hearing aids)
  • Regular batteries
  • Household chemicals like cleaners, bleach, gardening products, and pest-control products
  • Medicines 
  • Cigarettes and vapes (including vape cartridges and other vape supplies) 
  • Alcohol

If your child eats or drinks a dangerous item, call Poison Control right away for advice: 800-222-1222.