Toddlers and Popcorn?

My kids ate popcorn (supervised, of course) by 2 if I remember correctly. Some of the things the interweb tells us is overly cautious. My kids would probably starve if I kept them away from EVERYTHING they 'shouldn't have'. Use your good mom sense. If she's sitting nicely with you, why not? I mean, I wouldn't let them run around with handfuls of the stuff, and I take out all the unpopped kernels (cuz no one likes THOSE). But really, kids need a little excitement, no? lol

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We buy the hulless kind that melts in your mouth. It's safe for practically every age.

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My daughter will be 3 next month. Her favorite past time with me is.....eating popcorn! She and I have been devouring popcorn for over a year if not more. Go ahead...let your daughter enjoy!

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Hi, I asked this same question a few months ago. Here is link if you want to read the responses: http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/15678794572631244801

I still haven't given my 2 1/2 yr old popcorn but now my main concern is the kernels getting stuck in her gums. I am still scared of choking though. Just the other day she ate an almond hershey kiss and started choking and couldn't breathe. I thought I was going to have to do the heimlich but she got it out. I figure she has a long time to try popcorn and if it is out of sight then it's probably out of mind. Her choking is not worth the risk.

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My first child started eating it around 2. The first time my oldest had it, we took him to his first movie and my 2nd latched on to a JUMBO box of popcorn at the circus in February (at 16 months) and ATE THE WHOLE THING! He was ramming his little arm all the way down it to the bottom. I just made sure his cup was full and he was drinking continuously. "Choking" foods have never been one of my "mother freak-out" things though. You know -we all have our different things about child safety that we're really into and others -eh-not so much. My kids have been eating whole grapes, raisins, hot dogs, peanut butter -bunches of baddies on the choke list -since far before 3. We've never had any problems! I think 3 is just fine for anything to eat that she wants to try!

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Our kids were eating popcorn by 18mos. Just give her one piece at a time and supervise.

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My 22 month old has been eating it for months without any problems.

I know someone who told me that one of her best friends children choked to death on popcorn. They were having family movie night - and had the lights off, and the movie - surround sound turned up and they never realized that it was happening. I don't know the victim's family personally -so I don't remember the age of the child - but he was young - under age 5. I would be very careful if I where you, and maybe even invest in some CPR lessons if you don't already know - just in case.

My 2 yr old eats it , just watch her and make sure she doesn't shovel too much into her mouth. Sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling and instincts when it comes to your child , what is says on packaging and online is just a guideline.

My girls were eating popcorn with us long before 3 years of age. Also, all the kids I know were allowed to eat popcorn as soon as they were able to chew solid foods well on their own. Use your own judgement, as you are the only one that truly knows your child.

My son loves it and has probably been eating it since 2.5 or 3. I don't know why it would be so bad that they can't eat it. Just make sure you brush their teeth REALLY GOOD after! :)

All my girls ate popcorn at age 1 while I was there. Age 3 is fine sitting down or standing in one place.

Ooops. I had never heard of this until now. My son is 3 and eats and has eaten popcorn since before he was 2. He loves it and has never had a problem with it. I think 3 is definitely ok.

I bite the bottom of it off and just give her the puffy bulb part. Every few I eat she gets one. She (20 months) really likes the white cheddar. =)

I would just pick pieces of the outside off and give her a little to try. My daughter was 4 or 5 before I started letting her eat it by herself. Its really easy for them to choke on.

I was a little scared too, i heard the new no popcorn my daugther is 2 and i stoped giving it to her and her daddy didn't. So i gave in and we just watch her realy close because she love it

Popcorn, at any age, is a choking hazard. I never allowed my children to have popcorn until they were 6 or 7 years of age and even then, they were closely supervised. I believe 3 years old is WAY too young. Hold off.

With everything you have to take it with a grain of salt. My son had popcorn when he was three, might have even had it when he was two. Just be careful and use common sense.

I don't do popcorn for my 3 year old. I don't really like it much so it's never an issue about us eating it in front of him. I can get chocked on a kernel, so I know he can too.

My two and a half year old has been eating popcorn for a few months without incident. As with all foods, she is not allowed to eat and run around - we are always sitting when we eat our food and I do not leave her unattended when eating because kids can choke on almost anything. When she is eating popcorn, I encourage her to drink a lot of water and we usually brush afterwards because it gets stuck in her teeth. That has been the only problem - once in a while a kernel skin will get stuck in her teeth or gums and she gets a little upset until we get it out. She LOVES popcorn and it's a really healthy snack.

My son starting eating it a little after 2 but I only give it to him when I can watch closely just in case

My LO started eating popcorn as early as two years. I never leave her alone when she does. I also took a CPR class for adults and infants. If you are truly worried about choking, you should look into a class yourself as there are many other food/misc items that your LO can choke on. Did you read about hot dogs?

My son started eating popcorn at around 2. We'd give him one piece at a time (which was huge for him). Day care doesn't like popcorn as a snack for kids that age because you have to watch them closely so they don't choke on it. If you child is with you, it's easy to make sure they aren't taking more than they can handle.

I say popcorn is fine, just hang out with her while eating it if you are worried and dump any unpopped kernels . we all enjoy it around here.

just be sure to SUPERVISE