Even though almost all choking incidents are easily preventable, it is still a major cause of death in young children today. Don’t allow this to happen to your baby.
Be sure to always:
- Make sure mealtimes are held in a calm atmosphere. Don’t try to feed a child lumpy, finger foods while he is crying.
- Securely strap him into his high chair any time he’s eating, because falling out with food in his mouth may cause him to choke.
- Cut his food into small enough pieces to swallow whole. Be there during feedings, or at least have someone else there.
- Encourage him to slow down and chew while eating, instead of just gulping the food down.
- Slowly incorporate more difficult foods into your baby’s diet, based on his developing skills.
- Keep your baby seated while eating. Never permit your child to run with food. It is one of the most common occurrences that causes choking.
Children around the age of 3 and younger are at a risk of choking on small bits of food, and there are a number of foods that are highly likely to cause choking.
- Hard candy
- Gum balls
- Nuts
- Peanut butter
- Popcorn
- Tough meats
- Chunks of hot dog or sausage
- Meats and fish with bones
- Whole canned fruits
- Large pieces of cheese
- Raw carrots
- Celery
- Fruits with pits or large seeds (such as cherries)
Many parents may confuse choking with gagging, and some tend to get excited and begin making a commotion. This reaction is normal but should be stifled, because it may cause your child to breathe in sharply (out of surprise) and cause the food he gagged on to lodge in his throat and block his wind pipe.
Don’t wait until a dangerous choking incident visits your child. Take action now. Follow the steps outlined in this article and seriously consider taking an Infant CPR class. Until then, familiarize yourself with the steps necessary to resuscitate a baby.
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