There are a number of foods that are not safe for toddlers to eat. They can choke on hard foods like nuts and get small pieces of the food in their lungs. Larger, round pieces of food can lodge in their windpipe and cause choking and death. The following foods are generally considered unsafe until about age 4 and should not be eaten by toddlers:
- Peanuts, nuts, seeds and popcorn.
- Whole grapes, cherry or grape tomatoes, and similar round foods. (You can cut them up into pieces for your toddler).
- Whole hot dog pieces (you can cut into smaller pieces).
- Hard vegetables like raw carrots and celery. These should be softened by cooking and cut into non-round pieces.
- Large pieces of meat. Cut meat into small pieces.
- Large pieces of vegetables, such as potatoes, and fruits.
- Large chunks of peanut butter. Spread it thinly onto bread, crackers or whatever your child is eating.
- Hard candies and gummy snacks, especially a large mouthful of gummies all at once.
Be sure older siblings know what not to feed their toddler brother or sister!
