Choking

Once your child starts to put things into their mouth they are at risk of choking.

Ties and ribbons can strangle babies if they get caught on toys, the cot or furniture, or if sucked they can cause choking.

To help protect your child from choking never leave small objects within their reach. Check around your baby’s cot for cords, bumper-pad ties, toys and low mobiles that your baby could choke on, that could get twisted around their neck or fingers, or could be pulled over the head.

Avoid toys tied to the cot or those with elastic, ribbons or strings and remove ties and ribbons in the neck of babies’ clothes. Take your baby’s bib off before putting them to bed and keep blind and curtain cords out of reach and away from the cot.

Never feed your child small, hard pieces of food such as popcorn or nuts until they are five years old and encourage them to sit down when eating and drinking. Tie a knot in plastic bags and keep them out of reach and always remove the original plastic wrapping from cot and bassinette mattresses.

Learn what to do if your child chokes. Refer to your Well Child health book, or ask your doctor or Plunket nurse or other well child health provider.