How To Prevent Choking, Age by Age:
Babies under 12 months
It's a no-brainer, but we'll say it anyway: Avoid all round, firm, sticky foods, such as:
- Whole nuts and seeds
- Fruit chunks
- Chunks of meat or cheese
- Raw fruit or vegetables
- Popcorn
- Whole grapes and ddried fruit pieces, including raisins
- Hot dogs
- Chunks of peanut butter
- Hard or sticky candy, including chewing gum
- Honey
When your baby graduates to finger foods, keep them pea-sized and soft, or at least very easily gummed, like O-shaped cereals. And a special reminder about honey: it contains botulism toxins, which can make young children sick. Hold off until at least after age 1, when their bodies have matured enough to fight it off.
Kids 1-4 years old
Choking prevention at this age is all about the prep work. You can offer your toddler or preschooler many of the foods on the to-avoid list above - - as long as they're safely prepared. A few tips:
- Cut fruit and cooked veggies into small pieces. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving kids pieces no wider than a dime.
- Cut round fruits like grapes and cherries into quarters; peanuts should be halved, larger nuts chopped down to size.
- Slice hot dogs and raw vegetables lengthwise into sticks instead of round chunks.
- Spread peanut butter thinly across small crackers or bread.
- As for popcorn, hard candy and gum, the AAP advises against them until age 4.
Safe eating habits for everyone:
- Always supervise children when eating.
- Ban eating on the run. When it's chow time, it's time to sit!
- Brush up on your first aid skills with a CPR course. Find one at www.RedCross.org
What a pity I miss seeing all those gorgeous knits! Thanks for sharing the photos.
Posted by: Coach Tote Bags | February 23, 2011 at 07:57 PM