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Just Slice Those Grapes, Please!
by Lisa Thompson
Updated: Sep. 8, 2017
Originally Published: April 7, 2017
A concerned mom recently shared an x-ray image of a grape lodged in a child’s throat, and it struck a nerve with me. I have an overwhelming fear of choking. If I see someone gulping down a huge piece of steak, I immediately brace myself for a Heimlich maneuver. So, you can imagine how introducing solid foods to my kids has been a nerve-wracking experience.
I chop everything into tiny pieces. It’s just what I do. My son is now six, and I still cut his grapes in half. My partner often teases me about it, but I recently stumbled upon a Facebook post that I’m about to send him, just to shut him up.
The post featured an x-ray of a grape that had become stuck in a five-year-old’s airway. It was shared on the blog “Finlee and Me” by Australian influencer Angela Henderson. “This sweet child had to undergo surgery, requiring general anesthesia, to remove the grape,” the post stated. “He is VERY fortunate that part of his airway was open; otherwise, this could have turned tragic. So please be cautious—kids don’t always chew their food properly and can rush around at school, eager to get to the playground.”
Exactly! Kids are often oblivious. They cram food into their mouths and zip around like little tornadoes. If there’s a small step I can take to alleviate my fears, why not take it?
According to HealthyChildren.org, “Food is responsible for over 50% of choking incidents. Avoid foods like grapes, hot dogs, raw carrots, or peanuts for young children. Cut food into pieces no larger than half an inch. Encourage thorough chewing, supervise mealtimes, and have kids sit down while eating. They should never run, walk, play, or lie down with food in their mouths. Be mindful of older siblings’ actions; many choking incidents occur when older kids give younger ones hazardous toys or food.”
It’s essential to share this information during playdates. Don’t assume others adhere to the same safety standards you do. I remember attending my child’s preschool holiday party a few months back when a parent brought in a tray of whole cherry tomatoes. I was astonished they thought that was suitable for three-year-olds, and the staff was actually distributing them! The same went for a fruit platter with enormous grapes. I kept glancing around for other parents to share my concern. I finally asked, “Aren’t you going to cut those in half?” The kids were seated at their tiny tables, while parents mingled nearby. I had to sneak into the kids’ room to slice them for my child, feeling like the only overly cautious one there. But you know what? I own that concern. I cover children’s health for a living—I’m allowed to be paranoid!
As Henderson wisely notes, “When in doubt, just slice those grapes.”
This article was originally published on April 7, 2017.