As an NHS Pediatrician, Here Are 5 Toys You Should Skip This Christmas – Including One Popular Choice I Steer Clear Of!

WITH Christmas fast approaching, if you aren’t sure which gifts you should buy for your little darlings, you’ve come to the right place.

Lillie Parker, an paediatrician, has shared the five you must stop purchasing this – and there’s a popular buy she would avoid like the plague.

If you want a fuss-free December and don’t fancy spending hours in A&E, Lillie Parker is here with the advice you won’t want to missCredit: tiktok/@dr.lillie.parker You’ll need to avoid five popular toys – and gifts that contain magnets have made the listCredit: tiktok/@dr.lillie.parker

Not only this, but for those with in the , there’s a common toy that could block a child’s airway and cause choking, so you’ll need to listen up if you want a fuss-free December this year.

Posting on , the medical professional shared the she would be “very cautious of buying for your kids this ,” leaving many totally stunned.

Firstly, the paediatrician who works in an NHS emergency department, doesn’t recommend water beads.

She claimed that the sensory play toys can cause serious issues if they are swallowed, as she explained: “They can actually fill with water inside the and block the intestines and personally I would just avoid these like the plague, they’re just too dangerous.”

As well as this, high-powered magnets or any toys that consist of magnets, especially if they come in pairs or more, are also on Lillie’s no-no list.

She stressed: “Again, if more than one is swallowed, they can actually stick the bowel together inside, causing twisting or blockage and I’ve seen this happen and have to have emergency operations to get them out.”

Not only this, but magnetic building blocks are also getting a thumbs down from Lillie.

While this paediatrician is a big fan of , she stressed the importance of “making sure they are genuine” and avoiding .

She advised: “Don’t buy knock-off versions on large websites as they’re really likely to fall apart and the little magnets come out and then kids swallow them.”

Meanwhile, if you’re going to buy a scooter or a balance bike, a helmet is a must and without one, it’s a big no.

She advised: “If you’re gonna buy one, remember, always buy a helmet alongside and teach them that no matter what happens, no helmet, no wheels.”

Lillie claimed that head injuries are “probably the most common injury” she sees in A&E, so advised parents to “try and prevent some of these” but making sure you buy a helmet or avoiding bikes and scooters altogether.

You have to be really careful as things like marbles are the perfect size to block a baby or a toddler’s airways and cause choking

Lillie Parker

Finally, for those who have smaller siblings around, marbles must be bought with caution, or avoided.

Lillie warned: “You have to be really careful as things like marbles are the perfect size to block a baby or a toddler’s airways and cause – so just think about whether there might be a better alternative to having these kinds of toys in the house for your own peace of mind.”

Parents react

Lillie’s clip, which was posted under the username @ dr.lillie.parker , has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 48,900 views in less than 24 hours.

Parents were thankful for Lillie’s and many raced to the comments to share their thoughts.

One person said: “Great advice!”

Another agreed and added: “Hard on the helmet one! My son’s dad was a professional scooter rider. He’s had hundreds of concussions without helmets. My son is four and actually tells people at skate parks they need a helmet as it’s not safe.”

Meanwhile, a third commented: “Anything with button batteries is definitely off the list. They’re so dangerous.”

At the same time, one parent shared: “This is why all the toys available on terrify me. And so much stuff on . Call me over-cautious but I only buy toys from well-known retailers, or second hand ones originating from .”

But one user sighed: “Let’s not play with anything then.”

To this, Lillie wrote back and penned: “ – will share some recommendations on my page after these reels.”

If you won’t buy a helmet, don’t buy a scooterCredit: Getty Marbles should also be bought with caution or avoidedCredit: Getty