Checklist For Preventing Your Baby From Choking

Video transcript

Be aware of foods that are more likely to cause choking.

Small hard foods

Small hard foods that are difficult for children to bite or chew (eg, nuts, large seeds, popcorn husks, raw apple, carrot and celery)

Small round foods

Small round foods that can get stuck in children’s throats (eg, grapes, berries, raisins/sultanas, peas, watermelon seeds, lollies)

Foods with skins or leaves

Foods with skins or leaves that are difficult to chew (eg, sausages, chicken, lettuce, nectarines)

Foods that can squash down

Food that can squash down into the shape of your baby’s throat and get stuck (eg, hot dogs, sausages, pieces of cooked meat, popcorn)

Thick pastes

Thick pastes that can get stuck in children’s throats (eg, chocolate spreads, peanut butter)

Fibrous or stringy foods

Fibrous or stringy foods that are difficult for children to chew (eg, celery, raw pineapple)

Some tips for reducing choking risk

To reduce the risk of choking on these foods, you can:

Alter the food texture

Remove the high-risk parts of the food – peel off the skin or remove the strong fibres

Avoid giving small hard foods, such as whole nuts and large seeds until children are at least 5 years old

Call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for parenting advice, including advice about feeding your baby.