A mother has taken to Facebook to share the story of when her six-month-old daughter "choked" on the legs of a Sophie the Giraffe teething toy and the post has gone viral.
Katie Jones, who uploaded a photo of the toy and a description of what happened, explained that her daughter, Paige, was happily chewing on the popular rubber teether.
But when she went to grab something from the kitchen, Jones returned to see her daughter had "become quiet and lifeless".
She wrote: "When I checked on Paige she was turning blue. Paige had got the whole of one of Sophie's legs lodged down her throat.
"I had to unhook it free and pull out the leg from the back of her throat. I was absolutely terrified."
The mum explained that she had purchased the same teething toy for her eldest daughter before, so had no worries doing the same for her second daughter.
Continuing the post, Jones wrote: "I gave some firm pats on my daughter's back and this made her throw up and take a breath.
"I've never felt so terrified in all my life and never in my life could I have foreseen this happening."
Jones said her daughter was too young to remove the leg herself and could have suffocated.
She added: "Please note my daughter is fine. Yet the memories of it will stay with me forever."
A spokesperson from Sophie the Giraffe UK told HuffPost UK Parents: "We became aware today of this individual’s Facebook post on 9 July.
"No complaint has been made and they have not been in touch with us as of yet. Reading the Facebook post, we understand there has been no injury or harm caused. We take safety very seriously and thoroughly investigate any complaints we receive.
"Sophie la girafe® is not a choking hazard.
"The toy undergoes mandatory safety testing regularly and meets all European and worldwide safety standards for use by babies from birth + - which includes a detailed choke hazard analysis.
"The safety standards and analysis are precise and they conclude that Sophie la girafe® is not a choking hazard."
Since being posted on 9 July, the post has had nearly 3,000 shares with many parents commenting on it and thanking the mother for sharing her story
In an email to Yahoo Parenting, Calisson Inc., the American distributor of Sophie the Giraffe, said Sophie is not a choking hazard: "Sophie the giraffe complies with all U.S and European safety standards for children for over 50 years and is a wonderful toy."
14 tips on how to keep your baby cool during this heatwave
Dress your baby appropriately for the room temperature(01 of14)
Open Image ModalIf the room is very hot, for example over 25 degrees for most of the night, just a nappy and thin cotton vest may suffice.
If the room is between 20-23 degrees a shortie baby grow or shorts and t-shirt pyjamas perhaps with socks or just a nappy and a 1 tog sleep sack.
If your baby is too young for any kind of bedding and it is too hot for a sleep sack, simply dress them in suitable clothing for the room temperature so that no covering is required.
Open windows(02 of14)
Open Image ModalDuring the day, open all windows on the same floor to create a blow-through and pull curtain two thirds of the way across to block out hot sun but still allow the breeze through. (credit:Shutterstock)
Loft hatch(03 of14)
Open Image ModalOpen your loft hatch if you have one to allow heat to escape up through the roof. (credit:Alamy)
Bed sheets(04 of14)
Open Image ModalUse only cotton bed sheets and avoid any waterproof mattress covering as this will hold heat and make your baby sweat. (credit:Alamy)
Bath time(05 of14)
Open Image ModalA luke-warm bath or slightly cooler bath than usual might help to refresh your baby before bedtime and relieve any clamminess.
Make it a quick bath so that she doesn't get too chilly. (credit:Alamy)
Room thermometer(06 of14)
Open Image ModalGet a room thermometer so that you know what temperature you are dealing with.
This will take away the guesswork and give you peace of mind that you have dressed your baby suitably. (credit:Shutterstock)
Water(07 of14)
Open Image ModalLarge bottles of frozen water (1litre plus), placed in the baby's room may help to cool the air as they melt overnight. (credit:Shutterstock)
Fans(08 of14)
Open Image ModalElectric fans will often just blow the warm air around but place a large bowl of ice or some frozen water bottles in front of the fan to cool the air that circulates the room. (credit:Bloom)
Calm baby(09 of14)
Open Image ModalA calm baby will remain cooler than a frustrated baby so try to maintain a calming bedtime routine and offer reassurance and comfort if he is agitated.
A cool flannel or cold compress dabbed gentle on your baby may help to cool and calm him. (credit:Alamy)
Hydration(10 of14)
Open Image ModalYour baby may need to drink more than usual.
Cold water is great so for young babies it is worth cooling some billed water and refrigerating it for night time use.
Breastfed babies will stay hydrated on breastmilk. (credit:Alamy)
Room change(11 of14)
Open Image ModalIf you cannot keep your baby cool in her own room, consider moving her to a cooler room in the house temporarily. (credit:Getty)
Check baby before bed(12 of14)
Open Image ModalRemember, no matter how hot it is at bedtime, the temperature will drop in the night so don't put your baby in his cot in just a nappy if it will drop below 25 degrees in the night.
You might like to check on him before you go to bed to see how the temperature is. (credit:Getty)
Check back of their neck(13 of14)
Open Image ModalHands and feet do get colder than the rest of the body so it is natural for these to feel a little colder to the touch.
If you are unsure about your baby's temperature, feel the back of his neck or use a thermometer. (credit:Getty)
Think about how you would dress yourself(14 of14)
Open Image ModalBabies will be comfortable dressed for temperatures as you would dress yourself.
So ask yourself how hot it feels and what you would be comfortable in when you are considering how to dress you baby.
Just remember, you can pull the covers over you but he/she cannot, so imagine you are going to bed without any bed covers. (credit:Shutterstock)