Safety
Choking Hazards & Prevention
Choking is leading cause of injury/death in children under 4. Baby's airway is diameter of a drinking straw - small objects easily block it.
High-risk foods: hot dogs, grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard candy, chunks of meat, chunks of cheese, raw vegetables, marshmallows, peanut butter globs.
Non-food hazards: coins, buttons, batteries, balloons, small toy parts, magnets.
What to Do
- NO high-risk foods until age 4: whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard candies, hot dogs, chunks
- Cut grapes lengthwise into quarters until age 5
- Cut food into small pieces no larger than 1/2 inch
- Cook vegetables until very soft (raw carrots/celery are choking hazards)
- Spread peanut butter thinly (never give by spoonful)
- Supervise all meals - baby should sit upright in high chair, not lying/walking/playing
- Keep small objects out of reach (coins, buttons, small toy parts)
- Check toys for small parts - nothing smaller than toilet paper tube (1.75 inches)
- NO balloons for babies/toddlers (leading cause of choking death)
- Keep button batteries locked away (if swallowed, burn through esophagus in 2 hours)
- Learn infant choking rescue (back blows and chest thrusts)
- Take infant CPR class - Red Cross, hospital, or online
When to call a doctor
Take infant CPR class - every caregiver should know infant choking rescue and CPR. Go to Red Cross, hospital, or online course. Could save baby's life.