How to Reduce a Baby's Risk of Choking on Toys

Babies are actively learning about their environment all the time. One way babies learn about new objects is by putting items in their mouths, which can lead to choking. You can reduce a baby's risk of choking on toys by following a few easy precautions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Choke tube or small-parts tester

How to Reduce the Risk of a Baby's Choking on Toys

1. Select age-appropriate toys for your baby.

2. Remind grandparents, aunts or uncles and older children about infant choking hazards.

3. Remind older children to put away their toys in places where a baby can't get to them.

4. Invest in baby-proof tubs or locking toy boxes for older children's toys that could present a choking hazard for a baby.

5. Check out toys before you allow your baby to handle them. Look for sewn-on eyes or noses that could come detached, small parts, separate or additional pieces, pull-cords and any areas that could be easily broken off.

6. Stow or throw away any toy packaging that could cause choking in itself.

7. Supervise your baby while she is playing, especially with new or unknown toys.

8. Keep your baby sitting upright while playing with toys.

9. Buy a "choke tube," a small, inexpensive, open-ended plastic tube that approximates the size of a baby's airway, or designate an empty toilet paper roll as a small parts tester.

10. Place any suspect items into your choke tube or toilet paper roll to reduce the risk of infant choking.

Tips & Warnings

• Many toys come packaged with suggestions on which ages the toy is suitable for.
• Keep infants away from sandboxes.
• When playing outside, spread a blanket and keep your baby on it. Alternatively, carry a playpen with you and only allow the baby to play inside it.
• If you can't find a small-parts tester, use a toilet paper roll to approximate your baby's airway.
• Don't let your older children share toys with your baby, as small pieces that present little danger to older children may pose serious hazards to babies.
• Although toys are tested to see whether they present choking hazards, such tests are not stringently or evenly regulated. Check all toys yourself before giving them to your baby.
• Keep your choke tube out of baby's reach, but in a place near your baby's toys that is easily accessible for you.
• Never give an infant any type of balloon.
• Never leave an infant to play unsupervised, even for a moment.

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