Preventing Choking
by RachelTheWriterWhen your baby starts eating solids it can be easy to get too enthusiastic. You want your child to try every different kind of food, and that’s great. But you do need to consider the risk of choking, and make sure that you keep an eye on your child to make sure that you minimise the risks.
Small children can eat very quickly, if they aren’t supervised. They need to be taught by example that it’s a good idea to chew their food thoroughly! This means that when your little one starts eating solids it’s a good idea to always be with them while they eat, to ensure that they chew properly.
Also make sure that you’re giving them the right kind of foods. Food which is hard or difficult to chew can be risky, as they can get stuck in your child’s airways. Things such as raw carrots or other raw hard vegetables are good to avoid, as well as things like hard candy, popcorn and large nuts. Obviously veggies are great for your child – just cook them first!
You should also be wary of things that are round. Grapes should be cut into quarters, to prevent them lodging in the throat, for example. A little care can ensure that your child eats a wide range of great food without a risk to their health.
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