Jessica had only stepped out to grab breakfast, and had only been gone for a few minutes when her entire world turned upside down.

The mum-of-two had ducked out to pick up bread and coffees, leaving her husband at home with their young daughters. But just minutes later, her husband called.

Their 16-month-old daughter, Ellery, had suddenly begun struggling to breathe and was losing consciousness.

“I will never forget that phone call or the feeling that came over me in that moment,” Jessica said.

A desperate race to save Ellery

Jessica’s mum and sister live nearby, and by the time she arrived home, they were already there comforting Ellery’s four-year-old sister.

What followed was a frantic wait for help to arrive.

“We had Triple Zero on the phone, neighbours searching for a defibrillator, family coming in and out trying to help in any way they could, and everyone desperately waiting for the ambulance to arrive,” Jessica recalled.

Ellery was rushed by ambulance to the emergency department at Gold Coast University Hospital, where doctors and nurses immediately began working to save her.

For Jessica, watching her little girl fight for her life was an experience no parent should ever have to face.

“As a mum, there is nothing quite like the feeling of watching so many people working on your baby while you are completely helpless to do anything yourself,” she said. “It was the most terrifying experience of my life.”

Doctors suspected Ellery had inhaled a foreign object, and she was rushed straight into surgery.

That was when they discovered the cause of her sudden breathing difficulties: a small gumnut had become lodged in her lung.

Thankfully, doctors were able to remove it.

Two days in intensive care

Following surgery, Ellery remained sedated and on breathing support in the Intensive Care Unit for two days, allowing her body to rest while oxygen helped her lungs recover.

Thankfully, she’s since made a full recovery.

She is now a happy, cheeky and energetic two-year-old, with her family forever grateful to the people who helped save her life, including their family, neighbours, paramedics and the dedicated team at Gold Coast University Hospital.

The family’s terrifying experience was recently shared by Queensland Health, with Jessica hoping their story will help other parents recognise just how quickly an everyday moment can turn into an emergency.

The warning every parent needs to hear

Jessica said families should never underestimate what a toddler can inhale.

“We’ll never know exactly when Ellery inhaled the gumnut. We also don’t know where she found it. With toddlers, something so tiny and ordinary can be picked up almost anywhere,” she explained.

One of the most frightening aspects of foreign-body inhalation is that parents may not even realise it has happened.

“Foreign-body inhalation isn’t necessarily something you’ll immediately recognise. You might not even see your child put something in their mouth or see the moment they inhale it.”

It is a sobering reminder of how quickly young children can get into trouble, even when adults are close by.

Small objects found around the home or outdoors can pose a serious risk to toddlers, who naturally explore their surroundings with their mouths.

While it is impossible to remove every potential hazard, Jessica hopes sharing Ellery’s story will encourage parents to be aware of the risks and act quickly if something seems wrong.

“If sharing Ellery’s story makes even one family more aware of the risks of small objects and foreign-body inhalation or encourages one parent to seek help when something doesn’t feel right, then sharing it is absolutely worth it,” she said.

When should you seek emergency help?

Queensland Health’s message is an important reminder for parents and carers to take sudden or unusual symptoms seriously.

Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if your child:

• Suddenly develops an unusual coughing episode.
• Has difficulty breathing.
• Changes colour, particularly if their lips or skin appear blue or grey.
• Becomes unresponsive.
• Shows symptoms that make you seriously concerned, even if you did not witness them put something in their mouth.

Do not assume your child is safe simply because you did not see them inhale an object.

“It’s reminded us how precious every moment is and just how fast things can change.”