My toddler drank some of my plain tonic water and I had no idea it was bad for kids. How serious is this?

She loved it so she had more than a sip, probably about a tablespoon. Should I be panicking or just not do it again? It’s a Friday night so I can’t get a doctor’s opinion unless I go to A&E… I also saw you’re not meant to drink it while pregnant, which has blown my mind, no one ever told me that. I thought tonic water was meant to be good for you!

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I’d call poison control from what I can tell tonic water contains quinine which could be dangerous. Idk how much so I’d definitely call and monitor It seems club soda and other sparkling beverages are okay after 2

If it was a problem she would have nausea, dizziness, headache or allergic reaction. Does she have any of those?

The toxic ingredient in tonic water is quinine. There’s about 85mg of quinine in a litre of tonic water and a child would have to consume over 100mgs for it to be harmful. Give her lots of fluids and watch her for a tummy ache, but she will likely be fine. You can still call poison control for peace of mind.

I don't know where you are. But in Canada we have health811 you can call and get nurse to for advise. If it's something they can't address then they will direct you to posion line for answers.

You've said A&E so I'm guessing you're in the UK. I'd watch out for any change in behaviour and call 111 if you're this worried. However, honestly a tablespoon of tonic water will contain the tiniest trace of quinine. It's absolutely not A&E-worthy in my opinion.

@Zainab🗝️ that’s what I thought and apart from a massive tantrum when I took it away, she’s been happy as a clam. I put a slice of lime in plain water and told her it was the same thing, that appeased her tantrum at least.

Can you call your pediatrician’s nurse line to see if you need to take her in?

@Khyia I saw that too but if you go into the source links, the potential toxicity comes from accidentally ingesting quinine pills - which I assume must be a lot stronger than tonic? So that’s what’s throwing me off, I can’t see anywhere that suggests tonic would have a high enough content to be a worry

I was drinking it all through pregnancy to try and stop leg cramps! I had no idea it was dangerous for children!

Yea I’m not sure that’s why I recommended poison control. They’d be able tell you if she had enough to be problem. But if she’s fine and hasn’t throw up I’d assume she’s okay. I called poison control when my son tried to eat deodorant lol

@Emma same it was one of the only drinks that helped my morning sickness

I had NO clue. My son has totally had a whole mini can to himself (6oz?) and went wild for it, at a holiday party. No I’ll effects whatsoever. I never would have even googled. So I personally wouldn’t stress. But now I’ll know going forward! But I also just found out you can’t give kids Brazil nuts so, don’t do that!!