Something all parents face is deciding when to start feeding their babies solid food. You can tell babies are beginning to get interested in other foods when they watch your fork or spoon as you bring it to your mouth. However, some foods are a choking hazard for babies. Which foods are okay for babies to eat and which foods should they avoid?

Choking hazards for babies, which foods to avoid

Pediatricians recommend either breast milk or formula for babies until they reach at least six months of age. Doctors also have suggestions as to which foods babies less than 12 months should avoid:

• Honey is to be avoided because it contains Clostridium botulinum which can produce deadly toxins in a baby’s intestinal tract; it isn’t a choking hazard.
• Cow’s milk isn’t a choking hazard but it is difficult to digest the proteins in it.
• Peanut butter is another food babies shouldn’t eat. It is very difficult for undeveloped throats to swallow and can be a choking hazard.
• Large chunks of food are a choking hazard. The best size for any foods given to babies is about pea-size. Cut fruits and vegetables up into diced or quartered pieces; meats and cheese should be shredded.
• Avoid whole fruits and vegetables, nuts, hard candies, raisins or popcorn. Don’t give babies cough drops either.
• Jelly beans and marshmallows are also to be avoided at this age.
• Hot dogs are a simple food children enjoy but it isn’t a good idea to give children less than three years of age.

Keep an eye on your babies while they are eating. Some will fill their cheeks like chipmunks which mean they aren’t swallowing like they should. If they aren’t swallowing the food they’re given, it could cause them to choke.

It is easy to get into the habit of giving children who are self-feeding a snack while you’re driving to and fro. The better idea would be to give them a snack before you leave rather than allowing them to eat in their car seats. Car seats often lean back which make choking more likely. In fact, children should only be fed when they are sitting up.

Remaining with your children while they eat will allow you to notice if they start choking. Learn first aid, including how to help a choking infant and CPR. You’ll also want to ensure babysitters and others who may be looking after your children will have these skills.

No parent wants to see their baby or any child choke. There are things you can do to avoid choking hazards for babies. Take a look at the list of foods to avoid when feeding your baby and they will be less likely to choke.

Steps to take when your baby is choking

Even though parents do everything they can to protect their children, there may come a time when a baby or child can’t breathe, cry or cough. This is caused when the child’s airway is partially blocked, which often happens as a baby is beginning to eat solid foods. Here are the steps to take when your baby is choking.

If you haven’t already done so, it would be a good idea to sign yourself up for a baby and child first aid class. They will go into detail teaching you what to do if your baby starts to choke. Quick and effective treatment is necessary and it is something you can do yourself.

If you notice an adult or larger child choking you may be tempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver. This is done by wrapping your arms around the person’s waist from behind. With a fist and your thumb facing inward, you grab hold of the other fist and pull upward quickly. Normally this will dislodge whatever is caught.

You can’t use this same maneuver for babies, however. There is a different method:

1. Place the baby on a firm surface laying it on its back. Stand or kneel at their feet. You can also place the baby on your lap with its head away from you.
2. Place your middle and index finger of both hands in the upper abdomen. The proper placement is between the ribcage and navel.
3. Push in quick, gentle upward thrusts.
4. Repeat this movement until the object is dislodged.
5. Be sure your child is seen by a medical professional even if they are breathing fine.
6. Here are other steps to take when your baby is choking. Begin by checking their mouth for anything which obviously shouldn’t be there. Refrain from checking by sweeping your finger through their mouth; this could cause the item to become dislodged further down their throat. If the item is something you can easily remove, do so.

Rather than laying them on a firm surface, sit down on a chair and lay the baby across your forearm. Their head should be away from you and you should support its head. The head will also be lower than their body.

With the heel of your hand, fingers up and away, give up to five short, quick blows on their back. This should dislodge whatever is causing the problem. You’ll also want to check their mouth to see if there is an obvious obstruction.

If you can’t remove the obstruction after trying each of these methods at least three times, call for emergency help. Continue to use the chest thrusts and back blows until an ambulance arrives.