Choking is a common problem among young children. When a bite of food or a small object blocks the airway, the victim could choke. It is important to prevent this by teaching the baby to take small bites, cut food into suitable pieces and chew well. Also, if your child is no older than four, you need to make the home safe and "childproof".
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Restricting Access to Small Items
Step 1. Create a safe home environment for the baby
If your child is still small, you need to make sure that certain items in the house are out of reach. This does not mean that you have to eliminate them entirely; instead you have to put them in the cupboards or cabinets and close them securely. You can also consider putting special covers on door handles to prevent access to certain rooms or certain furniture from being opened. Among the items you need to keep out of his reach are:
- Balloons of rubber;
- Magnets;
- Figurines;
- Decorations such as some Christmas embellishments or ornaments;
- Rings;
- Earrings;
- Buttons;
- Batteries;
- Toys with small elements (such as Barbie shoes, Lego helmets);
- Balls;
- Marbles;
- Screws;
- Safety pins;
- Broken wax crayons;
- Metal points;
- Tires;
- Sassolini.
Step 2. Check the age instructions on the toy packaging
Those with minute components are not suitable for small children and should carry a very prominent warning label. Follow the directions on the packaging regarding age and do not give the child the toys from the vending machines, as they often do not comply with safety regulations.
When shopping for a fast food kid's meal, make sure the included toys are suitable for your child's age
Step 3. Tidy up immediately when there are small items scattered around the house
If you dropped a package of pasta, for example, collect all the contents right away. Check under the tables and chairs to make sure you don't leave any residue. Anything on the floor is easy prey for the baby who can put it in his mouth.
Step 4. Ask the older children to tidy up
When older kids play with things like Legos or Barbie's shoes, ask them to put them away when they're done using them. Explain that they need to be very careful with small items. You can organize a "treasure hunt" for school-age children in which the one who finds the most small items wins.
Step 5. Watch the children play
While you can't watch over them all the time, try to be there as much as possible. If you find that they are about to put something in their mouth they shouldn't, take action right away. Set strict rules about what they can and can't touch.
Part 2 of 2: Practicing Food Safety Measures
Step 1. Cut the food into small pieces
Remember that a baby's windpipe is as thin as a straw. Remove seeds from fruit like watermelon and pits from peaches. This precaution applies to both children and adults.
- If you have prepared sausages, first cut them lengthwise and then make bites by cutting them lengthwise. Remove the skin as well.
- Cut the grapes into four pieces.
- Be especially careful when serving fish with bones (which should only be cooked for adults and children, but not for babies). Ask your child to take very small bites, get rid of any visible bones, and not swallow too quickly.
Step 2. Show him what the right size of a bite is
Show him that a piece of food should be smaller than a baby fork or spoon. Explain that it is important to eat slowly, both for safety and for education. Instead of praising him for finishing his meal early, praise him when he eats at a moderate pace.
Step 3. Recommend the importance of chewing
When explaining healthy eating practices to your child, emphasize the critical role of slow chewing. He should chew until the bite is soft and easy to swallow. You should recommend counting to 10 while chewing. After some time, the baby will get used to eating more slowly.
- Don't offer solid, chewy foods until your little one has the teeth and skills to handle these morsels. Talk to your doctor to find out what stage of development your child is in.
- Children learn by example. Try to allow enough time for meals so that your child doesn't feel pressured either.
- Alternate between drinks and food. Teach him not to eat and drink at the same time.
- Encourage him not to talk while he is chewing.
Step 4. Have him eat while sitting and still
He should not ingest food while walking, standing or making other movements. Have him sit at the table whenever possible, with his back straight. In any case, he must never eat while running. Also avoid feeding him when he is in a car, on a bus or on the subway, because if the vehicle brakes suddenly, the child could choke.
Step 5. Avoid giving him those foods that can lead to choking
Children under the age of five should avoid certain foods. If they still have to eat them, be sure to cut or cook them very carefully (e.g. hot dogs). Although older kids and adults can eat them, they too need to be careful when ingesting them. If your child is still small, do not give him:
- Hot dogs cut into slices;
- Fish with bones;
- Cheese cubes;
- Ice cubes;
- Spoonfuls of peanut butter
- Peanuts;
- Cherries;
- Hard candies;
- Unpeeled fruit (such as apples)
- Celery;
- Popcorn;
- Raw peas;
- Balsamic candies;
- Nuts;
- Candies in general;
- Chewing gum.
Step 6. Cook the vegetables
Do not give them raw, but steam them, boiled or fried. Make sure they are soft to swallow. The child must be able to chew and swallow them easily. Steaming is a great solution, because fewer nutrients are lost than boiling.
