17/09/2026
Some foods need a little extra thought before they're offered to babies and young children.
While many of these foods aren't off limits forever, they can pose a choking risk if they're not prepared appropriately. Others, like honey, should be avoided altogether before your baby's first birthday because of the risk of infant botulism.
Foods to take extra care with include:
• Honey (avoid under 12 months)
• Popcorn
• Whole nuts
• Marshmallows
• Sausages and hot dogs
• Hard boiled sweets
• Grapes
• Whole cherry tomatoes
• Raw hard fruit and vegetables
Simple changes, such as cutting grapes, hot dogs and cherry tomatoes lengthways or into quarters, grating or cooking hard fruit and vegetables, and avoiding foods that are round, hard or potentially sticky (marshmallows), can make mealtimes much safer.
No matter how careful we are, choking can still happen. That's why knowing what to do in an emergency is one of the most important skills any parent, grandparent or carer can learn.
Our award-winning Baby & Child First Aid classes and baby safety classes cover choking prevention, safe weaning, how to recognise the signs of choking and exactly what to do if a baby or child is choking, giving you the confidence to act quickly if you ever need to.
Find your local class and book today at www.minifirstaid.co.uk.
