Avoid giving babies and small children certain foods to avoid choking hazards and a potential toxin. Here are some food rules of the road by age:
Under Four Years Old
No round, firm food unless it is chopped up completely. That means:
- Whole grapes
- Fruit chunks – like apples
- Nuts and seeds
- Chunks of meat, hot dogs, cheese (if you do feed a small child a hot dog, to avoid making a dangerous shape, make sure to cut it down the length and then across)
- Raw vegetables
Also avoid:
- Hard, gooey, or sticky candy
- Chewing gum
Under Three Years Old
- No Popcorn
- No Raisins
Under Two Years Old
- No peanut butter
Under One Year Old
- No honey (because it can have “Clostridium botulinum spores,” causing botulism poisoning)
–Janell Mayo Duncan