Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

I'm so confused about giving DD table foods. I know about the big hazards like popcorn, hotdogs, grapes and blueberries, but I'm unsure about the rest. How do I know if something is small enough for her? I'd like to start giving her pieces of the food that we're eating like chicken, fish and meatloaf. She does great with mum mums and puffs (when she can get them in her mouth). She is a little over 7 months now.

Does anyone have any advice on how to start table foods? Thanks.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

it's all trial and error, plain and simple.. She WILL choke.. please understand that..that's how they learn and I don't mean a full on choke but it's going to happen..

cut it up so that it's small enough to pass the air pipe should she choke on it..give her only 1 piece at a time when she is first learning so she doesn't go shoving 10 in her mouth at 1 time.. watch her intently and make sure she isn't alone in case she does choke..
also make sure that you communicate to her that she "chew, chew, chew!" that is most important.. you can even count with her and she chews so that she starts now..

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

You have to start somewhere but start gradually and your child will also guide you. We had a very hard time wiht my DD and table foods bc she literally choked on EVERYTHING...even puffs! We had her checked by the pediatrician and all it was was that she was not ready.

we started puffs, cheese, white bread @ 7 months but like TINY TINY pieces.

But the time she was a year she ate more but still choked. I would say at 16-18 months she really imporved and now much better.

My point..just start small if she can handle then you give more.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

When I first started table foods with my kids, I would cut the food up about the size of my pinky. If the food was soft enough that I could mash it on the roof of my mouth, then I felt comfortable giving it to them to eat. Gradually we worked our way up to bigger pieces once they were better chewing. Good luck! I still get nervous when I watch them eat!

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

I agree with the trial and error. I test things out slowly. DD can eat pancakes or gnaw on a bagel. I sit and watch her. If she does well, i continue or give similar items like waffles or french toast. If shes having trouble, i try again at a later date. I started cheerios this week. Only gave her 3 a day just as a test. She gagged yesterday so ill hold off for a while.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by bicosi

it's all trial and error, plain and simple.. She WILL choke.. please understand that..that's how they learn and I don't mean a full on choke but it's going to happen..

cut it up so that it's small enough to pass the air pipe should she choke on it..give her only 1 piece at a time when she is first learning so she doesn't go shoving 10 in her mouth at 1 time.. watch her intently and make sure she isn't alone in case she does choke..
also make sure that you communicate to her that she "chew, chew, chew!" that is most important.. you can even count with her and she chews so that she starts now..

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by charon54

Posted by bicosi

it's all trial and error, plain and simple.. She WILL choke.. please understand that..that's how they learn and I don't mean a full on choke but it's going to happen..

cut it up so that it's small enough to pass the air pipe should she choke on it..give her only 1 piece at a time when she is first learning so she doesn't go shoving 10 in her mouth at 1 time.. watch her intently and make sure she isn't alone in case she does choke..
also make sure that you communicate to her that she "chew, chew, chew!" that is most important.. you can even count with her and she chews so that she starts now..

I totally agree with this. DS gags because he puts too much in his mouth and it gets stuck on his tongue, but if we say chew, chew, chew, he stops gagging and chews. Many would think he's choking, but he isn't, just needs a reminder to chew.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by bicosi

it's all trial and error, plain and simple.. She WILL choke.. please understand that..that's how they learn and I don't mean a full on choke but it's going to happen..

cut it up so that it's small enough to pass the air pipe should she choke on it..give her only 1 piece at a time when she is first learning so she doesn't go shoving 10 in her mouth at 1 time.. watch her intently and make sure she isn't alone in case she does choke..
also make sure that you communicate to her that she "chew, chew, chew!" that is most important.. you can even count with her and she chews so that she starts now..

Message edited 2/10/2011 3:08:53 PM.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by Goobster

Posted by bicosi

it's all trial and error, plain and simple.. She WILL choke.. please understand that..that's how they learn and I don't mean a full on choke but it's going to happen..

cut it up so that it's small enough to pass the air pipe should she choke on it..give her only 1 piece at a time when she is first learning so she doesn't go shoving 10 in her mouth at 1 time.. watch her intently and make sure she isn't alone in case she does choke..
also make sure that you communicate to her that she "chew, chew, chew!" that is most important.. you can even count with her and she chews so that she starts now..

I don't agree with this. My DD has never ever choked. A little cough here or there but choke? Never and hopefully NEVER if I can do my best to avoid that. I think it's scary for a new mom to read that all kids will choke on something.

To the OP, we didn't start table foods until she clearly had the gumming and swallowing down. We started solids at 6 mths, and worked our way to little peices of puffs, then little peices of cheerios, then other things that would melt such as toast with butter, or were soft such as little bits of pasta or small bits of cheese. For us it was gradual, I didn't feel the need to rush with all table foods. We started full table foods by one year. Table foods are not for nutrition under a year, just more for practice eating solids. Formula is all the nutrition they need under one year, so don't feel pressured to go full on table foods at all. Just working your way slowly and practicing by working your way to more and more solids from mushy melty things is the way to keep the "choking" to a minimum.

And even after a year, certain things I would never give until I could TELL she was ready. You do get to learn and you will start to grow more confident as your DC eats more and shows you they can gum, "chew" and swallow. I was worried but always just did what made sense about working gradually to more foods, larger peices, etc and my DD has always done great with foods and is a great chewer.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

I honestly will have her on purees until 2 years old.
I am SO freaked out by the whole choking issue.

Not to mention we really dont' eat family meals in our house so there is never anything to give her that is table food.
I'd have to cook her a whole meal myself and during the week, with my scheduel that is not happening.

But this whole thread with the choking is freaking me out way too much.
Plus I don't get the whole rush to get them on table foods.
The baby has no teeth- what is my rush?

Message edited 2/10/2011 3:42:03 PM.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by NervousNell

I honestly will have her on purees until 2 years old.
I am SO freaked out by the whole choking issue.

Not to mention we really dont' eat family meals in our house so there is never anything to give her that is table food.
I'd have to cook her a whole meal myself and during the week, with my scheduel that is not happening.

But this whole thread with the choking is freaking me out way too much.

Message edited 2/10/2011 3:45:14 PM.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by Goobster

Posted by NervousNell

I honestly will have her on purees until 2 years old.
I am SO freaked out by the whole choking issue.

Not to mention we really dont' eat family meals in our house so there is never anything to give her that is table food.
I'd have to cook her a whole meal myself and during the week, with my scheduel that is not happening.

But this whole thread with the choking is freaking me out way too much.

I don't want to "scare" you even more but it's very important for your child to have solids and gradually introduce them b/c if you wait too long and always give purees, your child may have issues with eating solids. I read it in a few baby books that if the child becomes too used to purees, they do not learn how to gum and chew gradually, which leads to other issues. So as scary as it is,I assure you (nervous nelly here too) if you work gradually, don't RUSH it but gradually, you will become confident in the whole solids thing.

Message edited 2/10/2011 4:34:27 PM.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions and words of advice. Giving her solids definitely makes me uncomfortable, but she's started grabbing my food right out of my hands so I think that I need to let her try. It sounds like I need to keep doing what we're doing and only give her a little bit at a time.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

my mom always warned me against lettuce. I remember being really young with my siblings and her never wanting them to have lettuce or raw greens like that. has stuck with me and I do not allow my son to have lettuce or raw greens.

hot dogs and their cousins are forbidden for him. I also whole raw carrots or carrots/bananas/other round fruit/veg not cut into fours, popcorn, tortilla chips.

thinking of the others. but these I avoid.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by NervousNell

I honestly will have her on purees until 2 years old.
I am SO freaked out by the whole choking issue.

Not to mention we really dont' eat family meals in our house so there is never anything to give her that is table food.
I'd have to cook her a whole meal myself and during the week, with my scheduel that is not happening.

But this whole thread with the choking is freaking me out way too much.
Plus I don't get the whole rush to get them on table foods.
The baby has no teeth- what is my rush?

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by NYchic

Posted by NervousNell

My DH and I definitely have food issues in our hosue (I think I am a borderline compuslive over eater) and we eat horrendously.
I don't want to pass that on to DD but for now her baby food is the easiest thing for us all.

LOL - you do know that I envision you look like the person in your avatar pic...so I am jealous hearing your meals consist mostly of beer and dorritos

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by Goobster

Posted by bicosi

it's all trial and error, plain and simple.. She WILL choke.. please understand that..that's how they learn and I don't mean a full on choke but it's going to happen..

cut it up so that it's small enough to pass the air pipe should she choke on it..give her only 1 piece at a time when she is first learning so she doesn't go shoving 10 in her mouth at 1 time.. watch her intently and make sure she isn't alone in case she does choke..
also make sure that you communicate to her that she "chew, chew, chew!" that is most important.. you can even count with her and she chews so that she starts now..

I don't agree with this. My DD has never ever choked. A little cough here or there but choke? Never and hopefully NEVER if I can do my best to avoid that. I think it's scary for a new mom to read that all kids will choke on something.

To the OP, we didn't start table foods until she clearly had the gumming and swallowing down. We started solids at 6 mths, and worked our way to little peices of puffs, then little peices of cheerios, then other things that would melt such as toast with butter, or were soft such as little bits of pasta or small bits of cheese. For us it was gradual, I didn't feel the need to rush with all table foods. We started full table foods by one year. Table foods are not for nutrition under a year, just more for practice eating solids. Formula is all the nutrition they need under one year, so don't feel pressured to go full on table foods at all. Just working your way slowly and practicing by working your way to more and more solids from mushy melty things is the way to keep the "choking" to a minimum.

And even after a year, certain things I would never give until I could TELL she was ready. You do get to learn and you will start to grow more confident as your DC eats more and shows you they can gum, "chew" and swallow. I was worried but always just did what made sense about working gradually to more foods, larger peices, etc and my DD has always done great with foods and is a great chewer.

Re: Table Food: Talk to me about choking hazards

Posted by Goobster

Posted by bicosi

it's all trial and error, plain and simple.. She WILL choke.. please understand that..that's how they learn and I don't mean a full on choke but it's going to happen..

cut it up so that it's small enough to pass the air pipe should she choke on it..give her only 1 piece at a time when she is first learning so she doesn't go shoving 10 in her mouth at 1 time.. watch her intently and make sure she isn't alone in case she does choke..
also make sure that you communicate to her that she "chew, chew, chew!" that is most important.. you can even count with her and she chews so that she starts now..

I don't agree with this. My DD has never ever choked. A little cough here or there but choke? Never and hopefully NEVER if I can do my best to avoid that. I think it's scary for a new mom to read that all kids will choke on something.

To the OP, we didn't start table foods until she clearly had the gumming and swallowing down. We started solids at 6 mths, and worked our way to little peices of puffs, then little peices of cheerios, then other things that would melt such as toast with butter, or were soft such as little bits of pasta or small bits of cheese. For us it was gradual, I didn't feel the need to rush with all table foods. We started full table foods by one year. Table foods are not for nutrition under a year, just more for practice eating solids. Formula is all the nutrition they need under one year, so don't feel pressured to go full on table foods at all. Just working your way slowly and practicing by working your way to more and more solids from mushy melty things is the way to keep the "choking" to a minimum.

And even after a year, certain things I would never give until I could TELL she was ready. You do get to learn and you will start to grow more confident as your DC eats more and shows you they can gum, "chew" and swallow. I was worried but always just did what made sense about working gradually to more foods, larger peices, etc and my DD has always done great with foods and is a great chewer.