Grapes Whole?

Hello Jamie,

I always error on the side of safe. I still cut my grapes in half for my 3 year old.
My seven year old is ok witht he whole ones. I think I stopped cutting around 4 or 5
years old. Logically a half a grape is safer than a whole one. I think that daycare is just
lazy. I never want to give the hymlic manuever.

Hope this helps.

That is right up there with one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. For 2 (maybe 2 and 1/2) and up I wouldn't cut the grapes either, just because they don't need them cut at that age. But little kids need their grapes cut. And as for her reason, huh?

At my daughter's daycare a 3 year old was goofing off and putting multiple grapes in his mouth at the same time. The inevitable happened and one got lodged in his throat.
They had to do CPR, call EMT and he had to spend three days in the hospital.

Logic dictates that "older" kids can eat whole grapes, my daughter does and she's only 2.5. But if you're dealing with kids who aren't careful then it's probably a better idea to cut them up. I used to cut them in quarters lengthwise, so they could slip down.

I always cut my childs grapes in half. When she was two she got one stuck in her throat whole and was choking on it. Since then I don't question cutting grapes.
B. S.

Please cut the grapes, and everything else that has the potential for choking. I was a pediatric nurse at a local hospital and unfortunately, we saw many children who were served grapes that were not cut up. The child that stands out for me is the 3 1/2 year old, who was being cared for by his grandmother for an afternoon. These preventable tragedies never leave your mind, as a mom. I am not trying to be an alarmist, but one of the earlier responses was correct, until 4-5.

This is something to also talk about with anyone who might be caring for your child, and may not have heard these guidelines, like a grandparent, or other family member.

In fact, my pre-school had the policy for all the children, including the young 5's.

Kids can do really well 99% of the time with the whole grape, and only one time have an issue, if they get excited by something and take a deep breath while eating.

This time of year, also keep them away from hard candies.

I've never heard of cut grapes being an issue -- we actually never give whole grapes because we are worried about choking risk -- it is rounder and easier to try and swallow, but it is obviously too large but the kids may not realize it.

On a side note -- our favorite is actually also frozen grapes, which we also cut. Tons better than a popcicle! :-)

Good luck!

It's not about how many teeth your kid has. They can still easily (accidentally) suck a grape or tomato into their windpipe. I was feeding my daughter whole grapes at 2 and then I heard a story from my friend. He is a fireman and he responded to a 3 year-old that died from choking on a grape. He asked the doctors in the ER what they recommend (since he had small children at home) and the doctor said parents (and childcare centers) should be cutting them into quarters at least until 4 and maybe 5 years old.

Don't take a chance - it's not worth it.

I always always cut grapes. A friend of someone we know had a horrible experience giving their child whole grapes. The 3 year old boy choked and he died. I have never heard of cut grapes being more dangerous...so, Absolutely you should cut anything small and round. I quarter mine b/c they seem to have gotten bigger and even by cutting in half they seem risky to me. I wouldn't allow my child care center to give my daughter anything I wouldnt give her at home. Please cut your fruits, no matter how old your child is.

Jamie,

Fruits and vegetables that have a slick surface have a tendency to slide around in a toddler’s mouth. If you cut them in to bite sizes they well are able to grip it better in their mouth.

Cut it up and you won't have to worry as much. Also, make sure that they do not over crowd their mouths with food. This too can cause choking.

Hope this helps.

L. C
Certified Nutritionist
Herbalife Wellness Coach

I recently read in my Parenting magazine that parents should cut grapes in half until the child is about 4: its at that time that their throats have grown enough to accomodate a grape if swallowed whole, and when they become capable of chewing with a "grinding" motion. It sounded weird to me too as my almost 2 year old loves to eat grapes whole - but I've starting cutting them again so I dont have to stand by and watch every grape that passes her lips if she's having them for snack. Better safe than sorry, and its not really a big deal to take 30 extra seconds to cut them up - plus, my daughter now things shes getting even MORE grapes because there are so many pieces!

Okay with my first born I would always always cut up my son's grapes. I would only find the very small grapes for him even at at age 2. One of the biggest fears is choking especially with children. When I babysit as a teenager I cut the child's food so well my mother would comment on it. I wasn't going to have a child choke on my watch if I could help it. When my son went to a in-home daycare provider and I saw they were giving my son whole grapes that really bothered me. I told them I cut them up. They also gave this 3 months old baby a cookie to eat and I thought that baby can choke on that cookie so easy. Well anyway I took my son out of the home (other reasons than just the grapes) don't want choking cut up the food and remind your child to chew their food.

I always cut grapes. My husband has been a paramedic for 11 years and saw a lot of children die due to choking so you can imagine how paranoid he is! Always cut them, as an adults we can choke on them as well! Rather have a grape stuck to your throath then in your airway! Sounds so weird.If they don't want to cut them then you should, you know what is best. Good luck!

i cut the grapes, when i thought my daughter was old enough to eat them whole she still preferred them cut up. we don't eat hot dogs. never got her to like tomatoes.

I agree with all the advice so far...for my son, I used to cut up grapes & hot dogs, & now for the most part, I am not cutting up his grapes. (He is 2 1/2 years old) I still slice hot dogs or sausage, tho. We have sort of transitioned to this, & he is supervised while he is eating...I think it really depends on the kid, if he/she is supervised while eating, how tired he is, (I tend to cut up foods more when my son is tired, & we work on his chewing "skills" when he isn't too tired) & your observation of his/her gag reflex.

But it is strange that the daycares have 2 different policies, I'd be wary of that.

i still cut hot dogs and grapes for my little ones. they will be 2 next month.

That was an interesting response from a childcare center. Never heard that one before. Even more strange that their other facility follows a different policy. I find that inconsistency concerning. I agree w/the other mom, don't use that center. Our younger son is 2.5y rs & about 3-4 months ago he got a grape before I could cut it & had no problem eating it whole. So, I haven't been cutting them in half unless they're really big grapes. He loves hotdogs which I still cut up for him...I slice it in nickel-sized pieces & then cut those in half. He likes cherry tomatoes, too, but I find those too hard/slimy/messy to cut so if they're small enough, I let him eat them whole. Hope this helps & good luck!

grapes and any small round foods should be cut. They can still choke on them at that age.

Hi Jamie,
I always cut my childrens grapes and tomatoes and my youngest just turned 2 and I stopped doing that a few months ago. I understand your concern though, my theory is that she has quite a few teeth now, I just remind her to chew well when eating something like that. I definitley think shes old enough to understand that but believe me, choking is probably the #1 thing I worry about, my family thinks Im crazy!

I always cut my toddler's grapes in half, sometimes quarters if they're larger. Whole grapes are a choking hazard. I'd use a different childcare center!

My son is 2 1/2 yrs. It funny you asked about cutting the grapes because I normally cut them in half until today. I gave him whole grapes for a snack and he had no problem. He also eats hot dogs all the time. I just cut them in small slices and have not had a problem to date. I think the "choking" thing really depends on the child. Some children seem to not chew their food as well and some have a high gag reflex.

Risk for choking does not "depend on the child" like some of the mom's are saying. All kids young children (under 4 or 5) are at risk for choking on whole grapes. As the pediatric nurse said, most can chew them fine but it is the ACCIDENTAL swallowing the whole grape that can happen to ANY child. Why risk it, cut the grapes, if you don't have time serve something else.

just cut them in 1/2 or 1/4 until they are at least 6 years old!!! Also POPCORN is an other chocking hazard!!! I get them instead Pirate booty..easier to eat!!!
Love, G.. :0)

Hi Jamie,

My son goes to a really good day school and their policy in ALL of their centers (they are international)is that there is no food that is circle shaped. I have always cut my sons grapes, hot dogs etc into quarters. Choking can be deadly and I am not willing to take that chance by being lazy about cutting his food. It only takes a couple of seconds and knowing that my son most likely will not choke is pretty reassuring. I personally would wonder about a center that has different policies for different locations. What else do they compromise on that you just aren't aware of? Look for a different place and keep cutting up their food. Peace of mind is priceless.

Please cut them! My nephew choked on a "grape tomato" and nearly died. I cut everything in half. My kid's doctor said to avoid grapes and popcorn until the child is old enough to spell the words "grape" and "popcorn". I guess she has seen too many kids choke on those.

I have a 2 1/2 year old and he loves grapes and grape tomatoes. I haven't cut either for about a year. I use to cut them but now that he has most of his teeth he does a good job eating them. I know a lot of moms would disagree with me but I think it is up to you. Do you think your kids are going to choke? If so, cut them. You know your kids better then anyone else.

Hi Jamie, I know this is out dated, and gone. but I was just on mamasource reading some old request, and I just wanted to commit on what you said about the homwe daycare provider that did not cut the graps, I am a home daycare provider, and cut grapes for my kidsi In the CPR class that all us providers have to take once a year, teaches about childhood chokeing, and in the film strip it was a grape, small grapes I ut in half, my husband bought these jumbo grapes from the commisaray that are sweeter than the smaller grapes, I cut those in four. Just wanted to commit cause I was surprised of the daycare providers, out look on cutting grapes. J. L.

Cutting them in half is doing only HALF your job!!!!!!
CUT THEM IN QUARTERS!!!!!!
Think about it.....
Sincerely,
Mom of toddler who choked on HALF A GRAPE