One mum feared the worst when her baby was left needing to eat through a tube after they swallowed a battery that burned a hole in their throat.
Emma Treharne’s beloved daughter Wren began choking at dinner last month.
The mum was concerned but thought it was just on a bit of cucumber and the 37-year-old managed to dislodge the food.
However, the youngster kept choking throughout the night, nearly vomiting.
In the morning, Emma, from Newport, Shropshire, rushed Wren to the GP and was horrified to eventually learn that the cause of the choking was a pound coin-sized battery stuck in her throat.
At first, Emma claimed that her GP said the choking was likely from a sore throat after Wren choked on the cucumber.
The doctor is said to have offered to have called the children’s team at the Princess Royal Hospital, in Telford, Shropshire, who backed up what they said.
But the mum said she insisted on an x-ray which uncovered the "pound-sized" battery, terrifying her and partner Josh, 33.
Not only was the battery stuck there, it was rapidly burning through the youngster's oesophagus.
The family was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where Wren underwent emergency surgery two hours later to remove the object.
Despite the high risk of mortality from the surgery, Wren survived and was kept in for a further nine days, as her throat was left badly burned.
Emma and Josh have to feed their beloved tot through a tube for the foreseeable future now.
Taking to social media over the weekend, Emma warned other parents of the dangers of batteries to young kids.
She wrote: "Just thought I'd write a status about two things - Mother's intuition and the dangers of button batteries.
"My baby now has a severe burn in her oesophagus. We were in hospital for nine days. She is on a purely liquid diet and is tube fed for the foreseeable future.
"We were extremely lucky. Button batteries are found in all sorts of items. Musical books. Small remotes. Thermometers. Digital scales. Watches. Hearing aids.
"We'll never know how Wren got hold of one. So please be careful about where these are stored.
"If your child ever swallows a button battery or you suspect they have please seek medical attention straight away.
"Follow your gut. I cannot fault the care given at Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) and we have been very, very lucky to have amazing family and friends around us at this stressful time."
The post received over 3,600 likes and more than 620 comments from users left horrified by the family's ordeal.
Kathryn Jenks wrote: "How scary for you all, Emma. Well done for listening to your intuition and standing up for Wren and well done for being brave enough to share your story making others aware."
Hope Wren bounces back quickly, big hugs to you all."
Sharon Jayne Biggs said: "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this - that must have been a nightmare, glad Wren is on the mend.
"Hope she will bounce back in no time - sending lots of hugs and love - BCH are excellent."
Helen Noble wrote: "Omg, thank goodness for your intuition and making yourself heard. I do hope little Wren recovers fully."
Speaking today on Monday 10 July, Emma said: ""It's been traumatic to say the least. Wren is on a pure milk diet through a tube to aid her recovery due to a burn in her oesophagus.
"We stayed in BCH for nine days in total. The battery was in for 24 hours and the outcome could have been very, very different - the reality is some children don't make it. It's so, so important for people to be aware of the silent little killers.
"We have been lucky in the grand scheme of things but these little batteries are in such an array of household items and they are so dangerous.
"She was very lucky."
Emma now aims to help campaign alongside the Harper-Lee Foundation to help create awareness of how dangerous batteries can be.
