Choking Hazards

No one knows better than you, how delicate your baby is. At this tender age every little object can represent danger for your child. Heres how you can ensure your child does not choke on seemingly harmless foods and objects.Babies tend to put everything and anything in their mouth especially when they start teething. So, parents must be extra careful about the things that are lying around in the house. There are the chances that the baby may put them in her mouth which may cause choking. In this articleFoodToysObjectsPlantsTips for Preventing Choking Hazards in ChildrenFoodAlways mash food before giving it to your baby. Even a piece of corn or grape can become a choking hazard for your child. Remember, your baby is not going to chew her food - shes just going to swallow it whole.Do not let your baby sit alone and eat or drink something for even a minute. Make sure you are always with her.Always feed her only when she is tightly secure in her baby chair. She should be upright when eating or drinking.As your baby grows, you will no doubt want her to gradually start eating on her own. But at this precarious stage you need to ensure that the food you are giving her is not a choking hazard. Pieces of carrots and beans should not be given to your child unless they are boiled for a long time and softened.Food items like corn, whole grapes, meat chunks, seeds and nuts, candies, popcorn, pieces of raw vegetables, bubble gum, marshmallows etc; should not be given to the babies in order to prevent choking hazard that may be caused due to food.ToysSmall toys always present a choking hazard for babies. Do not let her play with marbles, small balls or anything tiny enough for her to put into her mouth whole. Soft toys, dolls, mini Casios etc are perfect.ObjectsBabies are constantly picking up objects from around the house and putting them into their mouths. The minute you see your childs mouth moving, you can be sure she has got something in it. Put your fingers in her mouth and pull out whatever she has got in it, immediately. As far as possible, clean up any mess around. Make sure that coins, buttons and the like are out of your babys reach.Some other objects that should be kept out of your baby’s reach include items like pen caps, fridge magnets, button-batteries, rubber bands, balloons, small clips, paper pins, tiny hair bows, pieces of pet food, powder etc.PlantsIf there is a planter nearby, you can be sure your baby will start chewing the mud. Make sure there are no stones in the mud, or place your planters out of your babys reach.Tips for Preventing Choking Hazards in ChildrenHere are some tips which parents must follow to prevent choking hazards in children.Never leave your child unattended while she is eating.Avoid feeding your children when you are doing something else.Make sure that your child is sitting upright comfortably when you are feeding her.Feed slowly. Feed the next morsel only after your child is done with eating what is already there in her mouth.Always have a glass of water handy so that your child can have sips of water in between which can aid in swallowing the food properly.Supervise your child closely during parties, get-togethers and play-dates as there can be many small objects and toys around.Always check your child’s toys. Do not give the toys that have broken parts.The danger of chocking is always lurking until the child turns 5 to 6 years old. Therefore, parents should be extra-careful during this phase. Children are always experimenting with their new found skills, so it is necessary to monitor them closely and make sure that they are growing in a safe environment.