Choking Hazards
Baby & Toddler Safety
Any item that can block a child’s airway is a choking hazard. To be prepared, every care-taker should know how to perform the choking maneuver on infants and small children. Here is a general guide on foods to avoid, by age:
Newborn to 4-6 Months
Avoid all solid food. Diet should consist of only breast milk or formula.
4-12 Months
Avoid large chunks: pea-sized pieces of food are safest. Vegetables like carrots, celery and green beans should be diced, shredded or cooked and cut up. Cut fruits like grapes, cherry tomatoes and melon balls into quarters. Cut meats and cheeses into very small pieces or shred them.
Small, hard foods: Nuts, popcorn, cough drops, hard candies, raisins and other small dried fruit and seeds should be avoided.
Soft foods like marshmallows and jelly candies can get lodged in a child’s throat. They should also avoid honey, peanut butter and cow’s milk.
Avoid letting your child eat in the car. It’s too hard to supervise while driving. If you’re using a rub-on teething medication, keep a close eye on your baby as it can numb his throat and interfere with swallowing.
12-36 Months
Continue to avoid the choking hazards listed above, and discourage your child from eating while walking, watching TV, or doing anything else that might distract him from his meal.
Age 3 and Up
Even though your child is a very competent eater now you still need to be aware of foods they might choke on. Continue to cut their food into small pieces, especially things like grapes and pieces of hot dog that could completely block his airway if inhaled. Continue to avoid popcorn, whole nuts, and chewing gum, and discourage your child from eating when distracted.
CPR Training
Sometimes, despite all precautions, a child may still get into trouble. For these situations, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to take classes in CPR and emergency prevention. The ability to perform CPR procedures on an infant and child who has stopped breathing can mean the difference between life and death.
