How to Reduce a Baby's Risk of Choking on Food

Babies and small children often fail to chew their food adequately before attempting to swallow it, which can lead to choking. Parents and child-care providers can reduce a baby's risk of choking on food by limiting the foods the baby eats and following a few easy precautions.

Instructions

How to Reduce a Baby's Risk of Choking on Food

• 1

  Monitor and maintain bottle nipples so their flow does not increase, which can cause choking by letting too much fluid into your baby's mouth at once.

• 2

  Cut any round foods, such as grapes, cherry tomatoes or carrot slices into small strips about one-half inch in size.

• 3

  Mash up cooked foods like peas, carrots or potatoes.

• 4

  Cut solid foods such as meat or poultry into very small pieces.

• 5

  Sit your baby in a high chair or place him upright on the floor.

• 6

  Keep a bottle or cup of liquid close by to help your baby swallow her food.

• 7

  Encourage your baby to chew his food by miming chewing while you feed him.

• 8

  Hold your baby's fork or spoon yourself. This will control the amount of food she receives in each bite.

• 9

  Offer the baby a small sip of liquid between bites of food.

• 10

  Feed your baby slowly, making sure that he has thoroughly chewed and swallowed any previous bites of food before introducing another bite.

• 11

  Make a list of high-risk foods for small children and infants. Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website for their list of high-risk foods (see Resources below). Keep the list handy by posting it on your refrigerator or cabinet door in the kitchen.