have a happy halloween!

is that trick-or-treat bag full of choking hazards?!
(uh, huh...)

the short list:
Dum Dum lollipops, candy pumpkins, gum drops, Double Bubble, gum balls, Lifesavers, Tootsie Rolls

but you don't have to have nightmares, because...

The more you know, the less you'll worry about your baby choking.

I've yet to meet a mother who doesn't worry about her child choking. Why is that? Are we Nervous Nellies? Are we overprotective? Why do we worry so much about choking? Maybe we worry because children choke 3 times as often as adults do. Or we might worry because choking in children under 4 is responsible for more that 17,000 emergency department visits each year. I suppose the worry could stem from knowing that during a choking episode, brain damage from lack of oxygen can occur in less than 4 minutes and death shortly thereafter. Or it might come from knowing the ambulance response time averages more than 8 minutes in most areas of the United States. (Do the math here with me... that's 4 minutes where you or your caregiver has to know what to do to save your baby's life)

Okay, okay so maybe knowing all of that actually makes you worry more, I know but stay with me...

By recognizing and removing choking hazards in your baby's environment and playing an active role at meal time you can actually help prevent a choking episode. Lets start by talking about the most common choking hazards and strategies you can use to help keep your little one safe. I know we can get lulled into a false sense of security as our babies get older and more adept at eating but these choking hazards are true for toddlers too.

Food- the big no nos

Hard candy, gummies or mints (see above)

Hot dogs

Nuts and Seeds

Whole grapes and cherry/grape tomatoes

Popcorn (this includes veggie booty too!)

Raisins

Raw vegetables

Peanut butter

Non food- the big no nos

Coins

Balloons (a deflated balloon is potentially one of the most deadly choking hazards because it is very hard to clear an airway blocked by a piece of latex. If you must have balloons buy mylar.)

Small toys (having a 10 year old and a 2 year old I totally understand how crazy making this one is. I'm constantly picking up small pieces of Nicholas' toys, grateful that I found it before Oliver did. If anyone has a better way to control this please, please let me know)

Things you can do as a mom to help keep your baby safe

*Infants don't tend to chew or grind food while eating. To minimize the risk be sure to cut all food into small pieces and avoid certain foods (see above) until your baby is older.

*Inspect all toys for potential choking hazards such as small parts or loose pieces.

*Don't leave small objects, such as buttons, coins and beads within an infant's reach.

*Have children sit in a high chair or at a table while they eat.

*Give infants soft food that they do not need to chew.

*Do not let children eat too fast or too much at one time (this is a big deal at my house. My youngest son, Oliver needs constant supervision while eating. Unsupervised this little guy fills his chubby cheeks so full of food every squirrel in Central Park is green with envy. I sit with him and say over and over, "chew, chew, slow down, chew").

So there you go mommies, you know how to prevent a choking episode. You can now worry less about your baby choking and have a fun and spooky, not a scary Halloween!