My Toddler Ate Tums

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It’s not uncommon for toddlers to eat things that aren’t food. In fact, it’s actually quite common for them to put things in their mouth that they shouldn’t. Although tums are taken as antacids and for heartburns they are not considered toxic, however, a toddler eating too many of them can cause an upset stomach. If your toddler is eating tums, it’s best to take them to the doctor to make sure they’re not ingesting too much calcium.

What Is Tums?

Tums is the brand name for a class of drugs called antacids. Antacids are used to relieve heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach. Tums are available over-the-counter in chewable tablets or dissolving tablets. It can also be given as a liquid suspension.

What Are the Ingredients in Tums?

The active ingredient in Tums is calcium carbonate. Other ingredients include sugar, corn starch, magnesium stearate, and talc. These ingredients are used to make the tablet dissolve quickly in your mouth and to help it taste good.

 How much are too many tums for a toddler?

There is no fixed number for this, although Tums are not harmful to toddlers but as mentioned earlier if you are not sure how many tums your toddler has eaten and if he is showing severe symptoms like severe tummy ache or vomiting you should consult your doctor immediately.

What are the consequences of a toddler eating too many tums?

The consequences could be an upset stomach or in rare cases, calcium toxicity. Some of the symptoms of calcium toxicity are:

  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Constipation and abdominal (belly) pain.
  • The need to drink more fluids and urinate more.
  • Tiredness, weakness, or muscle pain.
  • Headaches.

However, if you feel that your toddler has eaten too many tums and is showing any of these symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor immediately.

How can you prevent a toddler from eating tums?

One way of preventing a toddler from eating tums is to keep them out of reach. You can also try to explain to your toddler why they should not eat them and what could happen if they do. It is also important to have a discussion with your pediatrician about the risks associated with toddlers eating too many tums.

How can I treat a toddler with an upset stomach from eating tums?

If your toddler has an upset stomach from eating tums, you can give him children’s Tylenol or liquid ibuprofen to help with the pain. You should also try to keep them hydrated by giving them plenty of fluids. In some cases, a toddler may need to be hospitalized if they are having severe symptoms. If this is the case, the doctor will give them fluids and medicines to help get them back on track.

What are the long-term effects of a toddler eating tum?

If a toddler regularly eats tums, they may have an excess amount of calcium in their system. This can lead to health problems such as kidney stones, osteoporosis, and heart problems. It’s important to get your toddler checked out by a doctor if you are concerned about their calcium levels.

What should I do if my toddler ate a lot of tums?

If your toddler ate a lot of tums, give them plenty of water to drink and you should take them to the doctor to have them checked out. The doctor will likely give them fluids and medicines to help. It’s important to make sure your toddler doesn’t eat any more tums, as they could overdose on the calcium.

How Much Tums Can A Child Take?

Over 4 years 1 tablet 2-4-Year-Olds Chew 1 tablet twice daily with a meal. Adults and Children Over 4 Years Old Chew 1 tablet three times a day with a meal. Active Ingredients: Per Tablet: Calcium Carbonate USP (750 mg).

What Can I Give My 3 Years Old For An Upset Stomach?

The first thing you should do is give them plenty of water and keep them hydrated, another option for helping a toddler with an upset stomach is to give them ginger ale or ginger tea. Ginger has been shown to help with nausea and vomiting. You can also give them small amounts of clear liquids like apple juice or chicken broth. If your toddler is constipated, you can give them prune juice or pear juice. If they are still vomiting, have a fever, or haven’t urinated in 12 hours, you should take them to the doctor.

When it comes to giving medicine to a toddler for an upset stomach, there are a few different options. You can give them over-the-counter Children’s Tylenol or ibuprofen. If your toddler is vomiting, you can give them Promethazine which is a prescription drug that will help to stop the vomiting. If your toddler has diarrhea, you can give them Loperamide which is an over-the-counter drug. If you are unsure of what to give your toddler, or if their symptoms are getting worse, you should take them to the doctor.

Are Tums Harmful To Toddlers?

Tums are not harmful to toddlers and can even be helpful if they are experiencing an upset stomach. However, if your toddler is eating too many tums, it can cause an upset stomach. In most cases giving them plenty of water to drink should be fine, but I can’t stress enough that if your toddler is showing symptoms like severe tummy ache, vomiting, etc please ring poison control or take them to ER.

Here is a quick video from Tums Us to show how antacids work:

Final Thoughts

If your toddler has eaten a lot of tums, it’s best to take them to the doctor just to be sure. Tums are basically calcium carbonate so your toddler should be fine but if they’ve ingested too much, it could cause an upset stomach. Calcium carbonate is also found in other over-the-counter medications like Alka Seltzer, so if your child has had any of those, it’s best to consult with a pediatrician. Thanks for reading and remember to always keep an eye on what your little ones are eating!

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Sandy

Sandy

This post is written and edited by Sandy who is a clinical pharmacist with over 20 years of experience specializing in pre-natal and post-natal care.