Small Foods a Choking Risk for Young Kids
Small foods and candy like jelly beans can be hazardous to young kids as there is a risk of choking. Parents need to be more vigilant than ever. It’s a milestone parents like to see: A child’s move to solid foods from breast milk or formula.
But it comes with a risk. Choking sends thousands of infants and toddlers to emergency rooms each year, and food often plays a part.
As curious young children explore their environment, they put in their mouths food and other objects that can stick in their throats.
They don’t have molars that would help them grind food to a fine consistency, says Kathy Shaw, M.D., a childhood emergency medicine expert and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
It’s fun to play with food, but eating can’t be a game for toddlers, she says. Protect them by creating a safe eating environment and avoiding some foods until your child is 4 years old. Read more on what to do on Onslow’s website.
What precautions do you take to prevent choking? Click the comment link below to share your thoughts.
