Finger feeding and choking

Quick question. We normally, at 11 months, still rip most of their foot into smaller pieces. They do eat things occasionally as a whole, like a graham cracker or mini bagel, as they seem to take off appropriate size bites. I think my mom is hinting to me to not them do that.
So then I come across this blog today of a woman who has twin girls and one has brain damage from choking (maybe she is on this site?? who knows, but the blog really moved me and also scared the bejeezus out of me).

From what I'm reading online, we are supposed to cut up their food into pea sizes pieces til they're past 2.
Is that what you all do?

 

QUOTE(EOMommy @ May 4 2009, 03:43 AM) [snapback]1298945[/snapback]
From what I'm reading online, we are supposed to cut up their food into pea sizes pieces til they're past 2.
Is that what you all do?

No that is not what I do (or have ever done). I believe that they need to learn to bite and chew food, the chewing helps them to develop the jaw muscles they need for speech. Finger foods also improve their fine motor skills (picking up the foods), coordination (getting the food into their mouths) and independence.

Can I ask where you read about cutting up their food that small? Was it maybe talking about-for want of a better term-spoon food and not finger foods? I did a search and I couldn't find anything. I did find some information on finger foods (maybe you could show it to your mom); Here is the advice from wholesomebabyfood (a great website for recipies if you make your own food) and Here is the advice from Annabel Karmel (a leading UK child food expert). Both say you should give slices/chunks of soft easily chewed foods from around 7-8 months, of course with constant supervision.

I understand the fear of them choking on something, I think it is a fear that many people share. Have you ever thought of going on a infant/child first aid course? It could give you the confidence of knowing exactly what to do in a choking situation, as well as with any other emergency that might happen. I'm first aid trained and, while it doesn't stop me from worrying that something could go wrong, it does give me a certain peace of mind that I would know the correct way to respond.

 

I actually found that my kids were less likely to choke when I gave them bigger pieces. The bigger pieces forced them to bite and chew, whereas with small pieces they would tend to suck them to the back of their mouths, and then choke.

 

This subject is very close to my heart. One of the TS ladies who had her twins around the same time I had the boys suffered with one of her daughters choking on a cracker or fruit piece. The mom knew CPR and tried to get it out, but couldn't. The baby (11months at the time) was flown to a childrens hospital and suffered serious brain damage. She is alive and progressing slowly, but they are watching their identical twins grow up in completely different ways. If you want to read more about their story, here is their blog. Since this happened, I have been extra cautious about the sizes I feed the boys. Once their molars came in and they were able to chew better, I increased the size of things. I still cut our grapes/strawberries/chicken/etc, but I let them eat a quarter of a sandwich and bread slices. As long as a fruit is soft, I let them have bigger slices. I think it's one of those things you just need to be extra cautious about. If your child does better with larger pieces then that's the way to go. If they are okay with small ones, go that route. Honestly, they can choke on anything no matter how prepared you are.

 

mommymeg, that is exactly the story I was referring to. I had so much trouble sleeping last night thinking about how quickly life changed for them, and I feel like I came across that blog for a reason.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I am just going to be extra cautious now.

I will try to find the link where I read this info twinnanny. I was googling how to help a choking infant and came across it.

 

QUOTE(EOMommy @ May 4 2009, 08:12 AM) [snapback]1299157[/snapback]
mommymeg, that is exactly the story I was referring to. I had so much trouble sleeping last night thinking about how quickly life changed for them, and I feel like I came across that blog for a reason.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I am just going to be extra cautious now.

I will try to find the link where I read this info twinnanny. I was googling how to help a choking infant and came across it.


I totally skipped that part of your OP. Sorry! Jenny doesn't come on here much anymore, but she is a member. We went through the scares of TTTS together and then to have this happen too is just heartbreaking. One of my singleton friends has been following their story too and is extra cautious. However, while we were at the aquarium together, her daughter choked on a Puff...yes a PUFF! We were able to get it out, but both of us were panicking and thinking of Cici.

 

I think you just have to do what you feel comfortable with, and what you think your kids can handle, and keep a close eye on them while they are eating.

As far as helping a choking infant or person, I recommend that everyone takes a CPR class, you never know when it might be useful.

 

QUOTE(Twin nanny @ May 4 2009, 12:26 PM) [snapback]1299094[/snapback]
No that is not what I do (or have ever done). I believe that they need to learn to bite and chew food, the chewing helps them to develop the jaw muscles they need for speech. Finger foods also improve their fine motor skills (picking up the foods), coordination (getting the food into their mouths) and independence.

Can I ask where you read about cutting up their food that small? Was it maybe talking about-for want of a better term-spoon food and not finger foods? I did a search and I couldn't find anything. I did find some information on finger foods (maybe you could show it to your mom); Here is the advice from wholesomebabyfood (a great website for recipies if you make your own food) and Here is the advice from Annabel Karmel (a leading UK child food expert). Both say you should give slices/chunks of soft easily chewed foods from around 7-8 months, of course with constant supervision.

I understand the fear of them choking on something, I think it is a fear that many people share. Have you ever thought of going on a infant/child first aid course? It could give you the confidence of knowing exactly what to do in a choking situation, as well as with any other emergency that might happen. I'm first aid trained and, while it doesn't stop me from worrying that something could go wrong, it does give me a certain peace of mind that I would know the correct way to respond.


Zoé: thanks for posting these links as I have similar questions about finger foods myself.

 

QUOTE(mommymeg @ May 4 2009, 01:40 PM) [snapback]1299118[/snapback]
This subject is very close to my heart. One of the TS ladies who had her twins around the same time I had the boys suffered with one of her daughters choking on a cracker or fruit piece. The mom knew CPR and tried to get it out, but couldn't. The baby (11months at the time) was flown to a childrens hospital and suffered serious brain damage. She is alive and progressing slowly, but they are watching their identical twins grow up in completely different ways. If you want to read more about their story, here is their blog. Since this happened, I have been extra cautious about the sizes I feed the boys. Once their molars came in and they were able to chew better, I increased the size of things. I still cut our grapes/strawberries/chicken/etc, but I let them eat a quarter of a sandwich and bread slices. As long as a fruit is soft, I let them have bigger slices. I think it's one of those things you just need to be extra cautious about. If your child does better with larger pieces then that's the way to go. If they are okay with small ones, go that route. Honestly, they can choke on anything no matter how prepared you are.


Megan: This brought tears to my eyes. Mine are 11 months old so I can´t imagine what she went through. Is the baby in question doing OK now?

 

I've heard of more babies choking on biscuits and crackers than anything else. I think it's because they are dry, but soft enough to get a big bite. Also big slippery things like canned peaches. the whole thing can go down before the baby has a chance to chew.

 

We started small and soft and worked our way up from there. My kids ate things that were bigger than a pea almost right way. They ate blueberries, strawberries, quartered grapes very well. It is all about what you are your babies are comfortable with.

 

QUOTE(mommymeg @ May 4 2009, 07:40 AM) [snapback]1299118[/snapback]
This subject is very close to my heart. One of the TS ladies who had her twins around the same time I had the boys suffered with one of her daughters choking on a cracker or fruit piece. The mom knew CPR and tried to get it out, but couldn't. The baby (11months at the time) was flown to a childrens hospital and suffered serious brain damage. She is alive and progressing slowly, but they are watching their identical twins grow up in completely different ways. If you want to read more about their story, here is their blog.

that's the most terrifying thing i've ever read. we were required to take infant CPR while the boys were in NICU as part of the hospital's discharge procedure, but now i'm afraid i wouldn't remember what to do in an emergency. time to brush up on the essentials.

 

QUOTE
I actually found that my kids were less likely to choke when I gave them bigger pieces. The bigger pieces forced them to bite and chew, whereas with small pieces they would tend to suck them to the back of their mouths, and then choke.
This is something I've found with my lot too. Also the big pieces are easier for little ones to hold.

QUOTE
Zoé: thanks for posting these links as I have similar questions about finger foods myself.
You're welcome. Glad I could help. I have a couple of Annabel Karmel cook books and they are so useful, if you make your own food it's worth getting one (the complete meal planner is the best IMO) if you can.

I just wanted to add (for anyone who is just starting finger foods) that This is a great product for introducing the idea of finger foods. No need to worry about choking and the baby can start to hold the food and put it in their mouth. It doesn't stop them getting messy though!