Why are Seeds and Popcorn Kernels a Choking Hazard?

I know that kids this age shouldn't have things like seeds and popcorn kernels because they might choke/. But I don't really understand that--wouldn't these things be small enough to safely be swallowed without blocking the airway?

 

If a person, adult or child, is actually choking (as opposed to having something "stuck in your throat" or "go down the wrong way" and make you cough/splutter) it's because something has gone into and become lodged in your windpipe (trachea) instead of your food-pipe (oesophagus). You cannot really swallow with your trachea, only inhale, it's designed for air to travel through. (If an item was able to travel all the way down the trachea it would end up in your lungs.) It's possible to inhale a solid or liquid which is what causes choking, therefore any piece of food-even a small one-can cause a partial or total blockage.
As a side note someone who's really choking will be very quiet-if your airway is blocked you can't breathe so you can't talk/call out or cough properly. That's why baby/toddler snacks say not to leave children unattended while they eat.

 

Maybe they're small enough to be inhaled and end up in the lungs? I remember a TS member's daughter inhaled a pistachio and had to have surgery to remove it from her lungs.

 

Yes, I think it's because they're small and hard. An adult who was trying to swallow one whole probably could do it (just like a pill), but toddlers have enough trouble just swallowing properly chewed food. We also have the ability (sometimes) to sense when something's about to go down the wrong way and sort of cough it up, but toddlers can't do that as well. And things that are hard to chew are more likely to get inhaled accidentally.

 

Actually, babies & toddlers gag reflex is more sensitive than an adult's, to help prevent choking. They do seem to, however, lack judgememt in other areas - like how much cheese is an appropriate amount to put in your mouth at one time.

 

I know someone whose child died when he inhaled a piece of popped popcorn. He choked to death before the ambulence even arrived. Isn't that HORRIBLE???? I think about it all the time.

 

Wow that's incredibly sad. :cry:

I don't know about seeds, but I've heard the problem with popcorn is that it can't be dislodged with the Heimlich maneuver, so it's very difficult to rescue someone from choking on it.

 

[quote name='Nate and Jack's Mom' date='08 August 2011 - 12:40 PM' timestamp='1312825209' post='1809470']

I don't know about seeds, but I've heard the problem with popcorn is that it can't be dislodged with the Heimlich maneuver, so it's very difficult to rescue someone from choking on it.
[/quote]

I've heard the same thing about popcorn. I'm not comfortable giving my older kids popcorn and they're 5 & 4 years old. Whenever we do popcorn we do cheese curls or popcorn delight which like a cheese curl. The kids seem happy enough with that.