How to Reduce a Baby's Risk of Choking on Food
Babies and small children often fail to chew their food adequately before attempting to swallow it, which can lead to choking. Parents and child-care providers can reduce a baby's risk of choking on food by limiting the foods the baby eats and following a few easy precautions.
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Instructions
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How to Reduce a Baby's Risk of Choking on Food
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Monitor and maintain bottle nipples so their flow does not increase, which can cause choking by letting too much fluid into your baby's mouth at once.
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Cut any round foods, such as grapes, cherry tomatoes or carrot slices into small strips about one-half inch in size.
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3
Mash up cooked foods like peas, carrots or potatoes.
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4
Cut solid foods such as meat or poultry into very small pieces.
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Sit your baby in a high chair or place him upright on the floor.
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Keep a bottle or cup of liquid close by to help your baby swallow her food.
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Encourage your baby to chew his food by miming chewing while you feed him.
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Hold your baby's fork or spoon yourself. This will control the amount of food she receives in each bite.
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Offer the baby a small sip of liquid between bites of food.
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Feed your baby slowly, making sure that he has thoroughly chewed and swallowed any previous bites of food before introducing another bite.
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Make a list of high-risk foods for small children and infants. Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website for their list of high-risk foods (see Resources below). Keep the list handy by posting it on your refrigerator or cabinet door in the kitchen.
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Tips & Warnings
Make playtime and food time distinctly different by assigning a designated eating area and avoiding playtime activities such as peek-a-boo or tickling during eating.
Always keep a close eye on a baby while she's eating.
Make a list of high-risk foods for small children and infants. Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website for their list of high-risk foods. Keep the list handy by posting it on your refrigerator or cabinet door in the kitchen.
Feed your baby upright to decrease her chances of choking.
Feed babies strained or mashed foods to reduce the risk of choking.
Do not force a crying or laughing baby to attempt to swallow food, as these activities increase the baby's risk of choking.
Never feed a baby fish, chicken or other meats without first removing the bones.
Do not allow small children to feed a baby.
Don't delegate feeding time to older siblings unless they are keenly aware of choking hazards.
