Meridian Health

A child’s move from breast milk or formula to solid food is an important change. But it comes with a risk: Choking sends thousands of infants and toddlers to emergency departments each year, and food often plays a part.

Serve Food Safely

Little kids don’t have molars to help them grind food to a fine consistency. Protect your child by creating a safe eating environment at mealtimes. These tips from Grace Ponce, M.D., medical director of Pediatric Emergency at Ocean Medical Center, affiliated with K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital and part of Meridian Pediatric Network, can help:

• Supervise closely. Don’t leave small children alone while they’re eating.
• Sit your child upright in a high chair.
• Discourage eating and talking at the same time.
• Cut your child’s food into small pieces until his or her molars come in.
• Stop your child from running with food in his or her mouth.
  

And until your child is 4 years old, don’t give him or her these foods:

• Any nut or seed
• Scoops of peanut butter
• Hot dogs
• Chunks of meat or cheese
• Popcorn, pretzels, potato chips, corn chips, or similar snack foods
• Hard, gooey, or sticky candy
• Whole grapes
• Raisins
• Raw vegetables, especially hard ones
• Chewing gum
  

Take Caution Outside of the Kitchen, Too

Although food is the most common causemof choking in small children, nonedible items also pose a threat. As curious young children explore their environments, they put objects into their mouths that can potentially stick in their throats.

“Keep kids safe by putting small household items and toys with removable parts out of reach,” says Dr. Ponce.

“Some common offenders to watch out for — and remove — include balloons, coins, marbles, tiny balls, pen caps, button batteries, and pins and needles.”

About the Doctor

Grace Ponce, M.D.
Board Certified in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Brick | 732-840-3380