choking foods?

[lele]

I am wondering what kinds of foods all you moms consider to be too much of a choking hazard for your toddlers.  I remember hearing a list once of the 5 most dangerous foods (choking wise) and wondered if any of you avoid these foods or when did/do you feel comfortable giving them?

Hotdogs
Grapes
Nuts
Hard candy
Pop corn

Any thoughts?  Any other foods you don’t give?  I’ve also heard about raw veggies, or apple pieces, etc?

[lele]

So I just searched a little on the internet and found a few websites that talked about the same thing:

http://www.mchlibrary.info/pubs/PDFs/Nutrition_Stnd/Nutrition_3.pdf
http://www.tnpc.com/article/showdesc.asp?n=374&n1=Toddler
 
the thing is it seems like I see young children and toddlers eating these foods all the time.  Am I totally paranoid?  I know a lot of people have blown me off when I tell them I don’t let DS eat whole grapes or something like that.

[tylersmommy]

I don't know how old your lo is, but my thinking is, better safe than sorry. We started letting Tyler have small pieces of raw apple (no peel) around 16 mo. He had his molars and was able to chew by then. Within the last couple of months, I've let him have grapes and veggie dogs cut into quarters. Nuts, candy, raw carrot, and popcorn are out of the question for now. We also have a rule that all eating takes place sitting in the high chair, so I think that lessens the risk of choking somewhat too. I'm also paranoid of raisins and dried fruit...too sticky.

I agree that you see kids eating all kinds of stuff, but it comes down to what you feel okay with. Me, I'm an err on the side of caution kind of gal, so if there's any choking potential at all, forget it!

[Tonya]

As always, I agree with Melissa on this one

It's just one less thing to worry about, and you already have WAY too many to worry about with a toddler, right? :wink:

They'll have plenty of time to eat those things, when they are more comfortable, and frankly when YOU are more comfortable!

[carolyn]

We just had this discussionon a local mommies group.  I don't let John have nuts, hard candy or pop corn. I'm not comfortable with him eating these things, and he has a tendancy to either put as much food in his mouth as possible or not chew his food at all.  As for hot dogs, I slice them long ways and then cut them.  I have read that they are a choking hazard when they are cut into "coins".  And I still cut grapes in either halves or quarters.

I think the point of the Top 5 list and websites is to make you aware that these can be choking hazards, not to tell you what you can and can't feed your child. It all comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

[lele]

Thanks for the thoughts.  I feel the same about the better safe than sorry idea.  When my friend came over and started offering ds whole grapes I thought to myself, I could let it slide, he will probably be fine but then how would I feel the next day if he died from choking on a grape!  My ds sounds a lot like your John Carolyn, not much chewing and stuffing a lot in his mouth so I will continue to play it safe.  I think you are right about just being aware that they can be a hazard too.  I'm just glad I'm not the only one who had at least thought about it.  I haven't really been able to find any moms in person who thought there was any risk with any of them.

[Stacie:Emma&Josh Mom]

My dd still does not have hard candy, popcorn or most nuts because of this reason.  However, she's had hot dogs and grapes for quite awhile now, but they've always been cut up.  Hot dogs are supposed to be cut longways as was said above so that they're in smaller bite-size pieces that would slide down rather than get stuck.  She's had grapes since she was little but I used to cut them into eighths.  Now she's okay with them whole, but only cause we worked up to that and she knows what to do with them now.  I really think it's whatever you're comfortable with.

[AlohaMama]

I recently tried nuts as an attempt at a new healthy snack, but she didn't really care for them.

She's never had hard candy.  I never considered the choking aspect, just the sugar.

Hot dogs aren't my idea of a healthy food.  She has had them over the past year, but rarely and I let her eat it whole in a bun and take bites.

 :oops:   She's had popcorn and grapes quite a bit over the past year.  She always had a ton of teeth and has never been a choker.  I didn't realize that popcorn was a choking hazard until she'd been eating it for months.  The only thing I can remember her choking on is chips when we were at a party.

[AlohaMama]

deleted for double posting   :roll:

[Stacie:Emma&Josh Mom]

You just reminded me that dd just started eating her hot dogs whole as well and taking bites.  She's old enough now to know not to stuff the whole thing in her mouth.  HTH

[Deb_in_oz]

My dd still does not have hard candy, popcorn or most nuts because of this reason.  However, she's had hot dogs and grapes for quite awhile now, but they've always been cut up.  Hot dogs are supposed to be cut longways as was said above so that they're in smaller bite-size pieces that would slide down rather than get stuck.  She's had grapes since she was little but I used to cut them into eighths.  Now she's okay with them whole, but only cause we worked up to that and she knows what to do with them now.  I really think it's whatever you're comfortable with.

this is exactly what we did. i was the only mom who peeled grapes and cut them up. i eventually stopped peeling and then gradually cut bigger and from about 18 mo she has eaten whole grapes and coins of sausages but only after we really worked on the "biting" concept.  she knows that she has to bite into grapes before swallowing and she always has them under supervision.

has never had hard candy / gummy foods, nuts or popcorn.

[carolyn]

You just reminded me that dd just started eating her hot dogs whole as well and taking bites.  She's old enough now to know not to stuff the whole thing in her mouth.  HTH

Well, John is old enough to know not to stuff his mouth, but that doesn't mean he doesn't do it anyway.  I can tell him "too much" and he will take some back out.  But still... :roll:  Ya know?

I do let him eat string cheese whole, which is probably worse since it runs therisk of gobbing up and getting stuck.   :oops:

Which reminds me of one other thing that I have seen listed....peanut butter. If spread to thick can be a choking hazard.

And AlohaMama - I know what you mean about hotdigs being unhealthy. We are vegetarian and I feel better about the veggie dogs than I would a Ball Park, but we still limit the consumption of "soy meats" to less than 4 times a month.

[AlohaMama]

And AlohaMama - I know what you mean about hotdigs being unhealthy. We are vegetarian and I feel better about the veggie dogs than I would a Ball Park, but we still limit the consumption of "soy meats" to less than 4 times a month.

I swear they lace that kind of food with some addictive substance.  Kraft mac and cheese, hot dogs, and condensed soups were instant hits with dd the first time she had them.  She likes homemade whole wheat mac and cheese, most meats, and homemade soups but it took more taste tests to get her there.   :lol: