Toddlers enjoy feeding themselves with easy-to-handle finger foods. But some small foods present a choking hazard. Small children don't always chew their food thoroughly before swallowing and small pieces can become lodged in their throats. A toddler's windpipe is only about the diameter of a drinking straw, so foods that don't present a hazard for older children and adults can be dangerous for little ones. Cut your child's food into small pieces, no larger than ½ inch. Always supervise your children when they're eating to help prevent choking.
Vegetables and Fruits
Almost any food can cause choking if it's cut into too large a piece for a child to handle. Round foods about the size of the opening of a child's throat, or about the diameter of a nickel, are the most common hazards. Baby carrots, whole grapes or cherries and cherry or grape tomatoes may seem like ideal finger foods, but you should cut them into smaller pieces before you give them to your child. Serve cooked instead of raw vegetables, such as peas and broccoli, to your toddler, since cooking softens the vegetable and decreases the chances of it sticking in your toddler's throat.
Protein
Cheese cubes, hot dogs cut into sections and chicken nuggets can all cause choking in toddlers. Cut hot dogs or cheese into long, thin strips and chop up nuggets before you serve them to your child. If your child likes peanut butter, spread it very thinly onto bread or crackers. Large globs of peanut butter can lodge in a toddler's small throat and cause choking.
Other Foods
Hard candy, popcorn, chips, nuts and small crackers can all lodge in a child's throat. Avoid marshmallows, jelly beans, pretzel nuggets and any other snack foods in small pieces until your child is older. Even ice cubes can be hazardous. Don't give toddlers gum, since they tend to swallow it and it can get stuck.
Precautions
Have your child sit at the table and eat quietly. Don't let him run around with food, or try to talk and eat at the same time. Teach your child to chew her food thoroughly and to take sips of water, milk or juice between bites to help wash down the food. Don't leave a child alone to eat. Learn the Heimlich Maneuver to dislodge food from the throat should choking occur.
