Starting to give your baby food is a big deal.. It also means you have to be careful about something very serious: making sure your baby does not choke. Babies are still learning how to eat. They can choke if the food is not prepared the right way. Even if your baby is good at eating they can still choke if you are not careful.
In this guide you will learn what choking is, which foods are not safe for your baby, how to prepare food so it is safe and what to do if your baby is choking. This guide is for all parents no matter if you are using baby-led weaning or traditional weaning.
What is choking?
Choking happens when food gets stuck in your baby’s airway. It is very quiet and very dangerous. It is different from gagging which is noisy and normal when babies are learning to eat.
When your baby is gagging they will. Their faces will turn red. They will also make noise.. When your baby is choking they will be very quiet. They will not be able to cry. Their skin may turn blue. Knowing the difference between gagging and choking can save your baby’s life.
Foods That Can Cause Choking in Babies
There are some foods that can cause your baby to choke. These foods are responsible for choking incidents in babies.
1. Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are hard and small. They can easily get stuck in your baby’s airway.
You should not give your baby nuts and seeds like almonds, peanuts and cashews.
Instead you can give your baby nut butter that is spread thinly on toast or mixed into yogurt.
2. Grapes
Grapes are one of the common foods that can cause choking in babies.
You should never give your baby grapes.
Instead you should cut the grapes into quarters. Remove the seeds.
3. Hot dogs and sausages
Hot dogs and sausages are shaped like tubes. They can easily get stuck in your baby’s airway.
You should cut them into strips before giving them to your baby.
4. Raw vegetables
vegetables like carrots and cucumbers are too hard for your baby to eat.
You should steam them until they are soft or grate them finely so they are not a choking hazard.
5. Hard fruits
Fruits like apples and pears can be too hard for your baby to eat.
You should steam them. Cook them until they are soft or cut them into thin strips.
6. Popcorn
Popcorn is very dangerous for babies under the age of 4.
You should not give it to your baby at all.
7. Nut butter
Nut butter can be very thick and sticky. It can get stuck in your baby’s throat.
You should mix it with water or breast milk to make it thinner and spread it thinly on toast.
8. Candy and sticky foods
Candy and sticky foods like marshmallows and jelly cubes are not safe for your baby.
You should not give them to your baby at all.
9. Chunks of meat or cheese
Chunks of meat or cheese can be too big for your baby to swallow.
You should shred the meat. Cut the cheese into thin strips.
10. Cherry tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are round and slippery. They can easily get stuck in your baby’s airway.
You should cut them into quarters before giving them to your baby.
Safe Food Texture Guide by Age
When your baby is 6 to 8 months old you should only give them mashable foods.
You should cut the food into strips that your baby can hold and gum.
When your baby is 9 to 12 months old you can give them soft pieces of food.
You should still avoid giving them round foods.
When your baby is over 12 months old you can give them a variety of textures.
You should still cut the food into small pieces and avoid giving them hard and round foods.
How to Reduce Choking Risk
There are some things you can do to reduce the risk of your baby choking.
You should always supervise your baby when they are eating.
You should sit your baby upright. Never feed them when they are lying down.
You should not watch TV. Do anything else that might distract you from your baby.
You should stay calm if your baby is gagging and learn how to do infant CPR.
You should also take an infant aid course to learn what to do in case of an emergency.
Baby-Led Weaning and Choking
Some people think that baby-led weaning can increase the risk of choking.
This is not true if you prepare the food safely.
The key is to make sure the food is the texture and size for your baby.
When to Call Emergency Services
If your baby is choking you should call emergency services away.
You should call if your baby cannot cry or cough or if they turn blue and lose consciousness.
In Pakistan you can call the emergency services like 1020 or 1122.
Final Thoughts
Preventing choking is not about being scared, it is about being prepared.
If you cut the food into pieces, cook it until it is soft and supervise your baby when they are eating, they can eat safely and confidently.
Remember, round and hard foods are not safe for your baby.
You should always be careful. Make sure your baby is safe when they are eating.
