Do you cut grapes?

I got a note home in my girls lunch box today telling me to cut their grapes. I can't remember when I stopped cutting grapes. But I know it was a long time ago.
Does anyone cut grapes for their 3-4 years olds?

 

No, I don't. We actually stopped cutting them around age 2, unless they are really big ones.

 

No, but I can understand why they'd ask. Grapes freak me out a bit and I'm right there making sure they aren't jumping around or being too silly while eating them. If I were watching a group of kids and couldn't pay such close attention, I'd cut them.

 

I sometimes cut them for Meghan if they are big. I still cut them for Liam so if I'm cutting some, she gets the cut ones, too. Nolie doesn't eat them.

 

No way. I haven't cut grapes since they were about 2, except maybe really huge ones. But maybe the school has some kind of regulation they have to follow.

 

Yes, I cut them. About 6 months ago a 4 year old from our pediatricians office choked on a grape at home and died. The pedi remided us that grapes, hotdogs and popcorn are the foods that a toddler is most likely to choke on. It may seem tedious, but is worth the extra time.

 

I read once that grapes and hotdogs were among the biggest culprits for choking incidents in children and they recommended cutting them until age 5-6. I am guessing this is why you are being asked to cut them. We plan to continue cutting up both items until 5 or so.

 

QUOTE(RRTwins @ Mar 25 2009, 05:08 PM) [snapback]1244297[/snapback]
I read once that grapes and hotdogs were among the biggest culprits for choking incidents in children and they recommended cutting them until age 5-6. I am guessing this is why you are being asked to cut them. We plan to continue cutting up both items until 5 or so.


I plan to until 5 or 6 also (grapes and hotdogs). Our school has a policy that if you send in grapes, they should be cut.

 

When I first read this, I thought :umm: really at their age? But after reading the thread! WOW!! Ok! I can see why it's a good idea!!!

 

QUOTE(RRTwins @ Mar 25 2009, 05:08 PM) [snapback]1244297[/snapback]
I read once that grapes and hotdogs were among the biggest culprits for choking incidents in children and they recommended cutting them until age 5-6. I am guessing this is why you are being asked to cut them. We plan to continue cutting up both items until 5 or so.


Same here. We plan on cutting them until they are about 4 or older.

 

How's this for a PSA?! Read this and file in your brain!!

Here's what the AMA says about what do do in the event a child or adult chokes! Can't hurt, right?

QUOTE
Actions to Relieve Choking in a Child Age 1 and Older and Adults

* Ask, "Are you choking?"
* If the child speaks or is coughing, do nothing. Allow the child to try to cough up whatever is blocking the windpipe.
* If the child can't speak, cough loudly, or cry, tell the child you are going to help.
* Stand or kneel firmly behind the child and wrap your arms around the child.
* Make a fist with one hand.
* Put the thumb side of the fist on the child's abdomen, slightly above thenavel and well below the breastbone.
* Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick upward thrusts into the child's abdomen.
* Give thrusts until the object is forced out or the child becomes unresponsive.
* If the choking is not relieved, the child will become unresponsive. When the child becomes unresponsive, shout for help, lower the child to the ground, and start CPR. * * Chest compressions may force the object out. If you are alone with the child and these steps don't work after about one minute, phone 911.

© American Heart Association

 

We cut grapes. I'll cut them 'til their 4 at least. My girls aren't allowed to eat hotdogs or popcorn yet either. I've heard to many horror stories. And I loathe hard candy. I'm a big choke-a-phobic. My family owned a day care center when I was a teenager and we saw/heard all the stories. Hotdogs and grapes are some of the most common culprits.

I can't watch when we go elsewhere and I see parents giving their 1 yr old babies whole grapes or letting their toddlers run and flip around with a peppermint in their mouths. It makes my stomach hurt just to see it happening.

 

Yes, they are a big choking hazard...at least that's what I've read. Not sure when I'll stop.

 

Yes,

Worked in childcare before kids and saw too many incindents w/ grapes/hotdogs. Plus both my DDs had some eating/oral issues so they dont always chew well. We will cut them as long as we can get away with it!

 

How small should hot dogs be cut up? And for grapes I just cut them in half is that sufficient?

 

QUOTE(Kyrstyn @ Mar 25 2009, 11:05 PM) [snapback]1244750[/snapback]
How small should hot dogs be cut up? And for grapes I just cut them in half is that sufficient?


For hot dogs, when I did cut them up, I'd cut them in a circle and halve the circle, make sense? :wacko: The grapes I always just cut in half.

I can totally understand why a school would want the grapes cut. :good: At home, I don't cut them up anymore, I stopped not too long ago.

 

I still cut hot dogs, but stopped doing grapes. But I think I will start back up again.

 

I have always cut grapes in half. In fact I read in my Parent's magazine last month that pedi's recommend that grapes be cut in half until at least age 4. I'm a bit of a choke-a-phobe also, DH is a huge one, so we are always careful with popcorn and cut grapes atleast in half, sometimes in thirds if they are really big. And my kids detest hot dogs, so that's not an issue.

 

I still cut grapes and hot dogs but it is my paranoia. I am sure I read something along the way.

 

I was so surprised by the note in home yesterday. I can't remember the last time I cut grapes up. Funny thing is i was out for lunch on Monday with a friend whos 17 month old was eating fruit salad and she didn't cut the grapes up and we were talking about how cuttting vs not cutting up grapes.

I send my girls with grapes fairly often in there lunch, and this was the first time I was told to cut them. I know that wasn't on the school food requirements.

Hot dogs sometimes say on teh package to slice lengthwise till they are 6.

 

QUOTE(Kyrstyn @ Mar 26 2009, 03:05 AM) [snapback]1244750[/snapback]
How small should hot dogs be cut up? And for grapes I just cut them in half is that sufficient?


We cut grapes into four, very small grapes in half. Hotdogs we slice into four as well - cut the circle in half and then half again if that makes sense. I am way paranoid when it comes to choking. Takes me a minute to cut them up, easy thing to do for peace of mind.

 

QUOTE(TwinLove @ Mar 26 2009, 04:46 AM) [snapback]1244930[/snapback]
For hot dogs, when I did cut them up, I'd cut them in a circle and halve the circle, make sense? :wacko: The grapes I always just cut in half.

Thanks Liz! That's what I do!

 

I think I stopped around 2-3? But if someone requests it, I would do it for the safety of your kiddos

 

Yup, I still cut grapes and hotdogs...no popcorn either. I have no idea when I'll stop. As a matter of fact, my 8yo asked me about 6 months ago if I would please stop cutting his hotdog when he orders one when we're out :blush: It's just habit now, I guess I was content to keep doing it until they move out

ETA: I make one slice right down the middle of both.

 

Absolutely...I will probably cut them until they are at least 5. I don't cut up anything else anymore unless they prefer it but grapes are such a huge choking hazard.

 

yes, we cut grapes here.. when I say we, I mean I do. DH doesn't cut hot dogs or grapes. i do both.. I will for at least another 6 months!

 

Nope, not anymore. Stopped under 2. They do fine with them.

 

For my little ones, yes, I still cut them in half -- hot dogs, too.

I stopped doing it for Nadia after she was 2 -- and her preschool sent home a note asking us to please cut them, along with hot dogs and string cheese. Apparently a kid choked on a round circle of string cheese, so they wanted us to make them half-moon-shaped.

I think kids probably do fine with them at home, but when you've got a group of small kids goofing off at lunch time, with only one or two teachers, choking is more likely to be an issue.

 

QUOTE(RRTwins @ Mar 26 2009, 03:13 PM) [snapback]1245257[/snapback]
We cut grapes into four, very small grapes in half.


yup. I quarter our grapes here too, but I'm too paranoid.

 

I wanted to come back here and update you guys a little bit. Today we got a note home about having to cut anything that is over 1/2 inches in diameter. A 2 year girl died in a local daycare on a carrot stick last week. So they want to make sure that everyone is aware about the dangers of choking.
According to a local hospital all food for children under the age of 4 should be cut so it has a diameter of less then 1/2 inches.