PSA: Choking is still a possiblity at age 4. Don't let your guard down.

It's taken me almost 12 hours to be able to share this but here it is and I hope someone benefits from this reminder.

The boys were having dinner last night at the table and all was well except that they were being a bit rowdy. There was talking and giggling and making faces. As I was reminding them that it was mealtime, not playtime and they needed to cool it or I'd put the food away, I noticed that Trevor was stuffing his cheeks again. I reminded him one bite at a time just as his expression changed and I realized he couldn't breathe. No air was getting in and I told him to spit the food out. He was leaning over his plate with his mouth open heaving like he was trying to vomit but nothing was coming out. I reached in with a finger and swept his mouth (baked potato paste) and then swept again reaching down into his throat. I retrieved a chunk of potato and he took a loud, wheezy gasp and I encouraged him to cough and spit. He vomited on his plate. He then started to cry and it was such a welcome sound. I explained immediately that this is exactly why I tell him one bite at a time and that he needs to remember that. I wiped his face and made them both go upstairs to the bathtub even though they weren't quite done with dinner. I brought along a container of yogurt and spoon fed them in the tub. Trevor's voice was a little hoarse and I hoped it would feel good without being scary for him. Trevor doesn't seem at all hesitant about eating today and they looked at me like I'd lost my mind when I insisted upon cutting their grapes (haven't done that since they were two but I couldn't shake the feeling that I should...)

So anyway, just a friendly reminder that even when they're almost 4 you still need to stay with them while they eat (he didn't make a sound to let me know he was in distress) and to be vigilant with table manners.

 

OMG how scary. I am so glad he is ok. :hug: momma.

 

Wow, how scary. :hug:

 

That is scary! I'm surprised this hasn't happened with Bea. She will jam way too much food in her mouth, I've had to have her spit food out. Glad he's ok! :hug:

 

So scary, Debi - Thanks for sharing. We had our first "real" choking incident a few weeks ago and it still haunts me. Jacob projectile vomited 5 times in a row for what seemed like 20 minutes (probably 10 seconds), and the whole experience was just awful. And like you said, Debi, totally silent!

 

I am sorry you had that experience, but glad everyone is OK.

Just as a PSA, you really shouldn't do a finger sweep when someone is choking, it can force the object further down. Instead you should do the stomach thrusts to clear the airway.

 

Thanks for the reminder! I still worry about Amy, she has a tendency to really snarf her food.

 

Thanks for the reminder Debi. My Jake tends to shove food in his mouth, and I'm forever reminding him to take small bites and "chew chew chew!"

I can't imagine how scary that must have been for you! I'm glad everyone is ok!

 

:hug: I'm sorry you had to experience that. Thanks for the reminder! It may also be good to mention this to people who take care of your child. I know my mom doesn't normally cut grapes up or hot dogs.

 

And even when they are almost 5. About 6 weeks ago, Gabby choked on a hot dog, luckily it did not completely block her airways and she was able to wheez for air, but it was too far down to dislodge from her mouth and we had to do the heimlich on her. In her case she was talking with her mouth full, possibly laughing I don't remember now.

 

Oh my gosh how incredibly frightening! So glad he's ok... thanks for the reminder though!

 

Oh man, your story gave me goose bumps! I am so glad he is o.k.!!! Thanks for the reminder!

 

How scary for you! Glad he is well! I have had a similiar situation happen before and it scares the living daylights out of you!!!

 

What an important message!!! :hug: I'm sorry you had to live it so that we could be reminded!! How very scary!!! Thank you for sharing!

 

Wow, that's scary Debi. I'm glad he is ok. :hug:

 

How scary. I'm glad he's ok. We had our 1st choking incident about a month ago with my 6.5 yr. old. We went to a stirfry restaurant and she loves squid and actually choked on a small squid. VERY scary. I always worry about it happening when one of us isn't around or if they decide to grab some food without asking before I pull myself out of bed.

 

Thanks for sharing. There was a boy here who choked and died in front of his parents at his 4th or 5th birthday party on a boiled sweet.

 

:hug: BTDT

Philip choked in a stupid accident a few months back & I luckily new what to do. 1 chest thrust and it flew out. I was shakey for quite a while.

It is SO important for everyone to know what to do.

 

How scary Debi! Glad you knew what to do and all turned out ok. I still cut grapes, a big worry of mine!

 

Very scary, Debi!! I am so glad he is okay! :hug:

We just quit cutting grapes for our 5 year old, but have instructed him to bite them in half when eating them whole - so he never puts an entire grape in his mouth. I still cut hotdogs - and really, have no plans to stop any time soon. My brother choked on a hotdog when he was 2 - and it was terrifying for everyone.

Choking is so scary. We had a highschool student choke on a cheeseburger and die a few years ago around here. He shoved half of a cheeseburger in his mouth and then went outside the cafeteria when he started choking on it b/c he was (most likely) embarrassed. It was so devastating for the family, community, and school district.

 

I want to point out that my response was partially panic-driven instinct and partially what I was taught waaaaaaaaaay back when I first learned CPR. Current recommendations are Heimlich or chest thrust first and only to sweep if the victim is unconscious or you can see the object.

 

:hug: Yikes how scary Debi Glad he's okay!!

 

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad he was ok. Wow, that must have been so scary. I'm careful with my toddler but I assumed my 4 year olds can eat like adults now. Good to be reminded that we should still be careful even at this age.

 

Yes, I needed that reminder, too. I leave them while they eat all too often to tend to the baby or change over laundry or whatever. Thanks for reminding me what is really important. Your story brought tears to my eyes just thinking about what could happen when my kids are left to themselves.

 

So scary! :hug: Erick tends to stuff food in and I watch him like a hawk when he's eating. He's always managed (I have no idea how he does it!) to swallow the food a little at a time with his mouth closed and no trouble at all. It still scares me! So glad he's okay today and thank you for sharing to remind us not get complacent.

 

I'm so glad that he is okay :hug: Definitely an important reminder for us all!

 

That is sooo scary! I'm glad everything is okay! When you do the heimlich, where do you apply the pressure at again?

 

Here's a very good description of the procedure.

 

Very scary. We've had a few incidents with the twins (well, mostly Nolan) where he stuffs too much in his mouth. Liam has some incidents as well, but he is only 2 1/2.

Glad all is well. :hug: for you for having to deal with it!