Baby Choking Hazards

Babies are too cute to be kept away from a mother’s eye but even then many hazards are faced by the babies. A report shows that 15 babies die of choking each year. It is really a matter of concern for all the parents. Babies tend to gulp and suck everything that they find. Mother should be careful while leaving the baby alone with the toys or anything else that could bring choking hazard to her baby.

Baby Products Causing Choking 

Most of the baby products, sold in the market, are tested to comply with the safety standards. These products are specially formulated so as to minimize any hazards to a baby. The products which may pose to be a hazard to the baby are explained here and guidelines provided to deal with: 

·         Hot dogs may cause severe baby choking hazard if gulped by a baby. Before serving it to the baby, hot dogs should be cut lengthwise after getting cut crosswise. This reduces the baby choking hazard. 

·         Harsh baby candies and marshmallows are also a cause of choking. Try avoiding them to be chewed by the babies. Babies do not have teeth to break them down. Babies just follow sucking everything that makes things like candies become a reason for choking. 

·         Cherries, peanuts, grapes also pose choking threat to a baby. Outer skin and the seeds should be removed to avoid any choking. 

·         Firm biscuits and cookies also tend to pose baby choking hazards. Before serving a biscuit to the baby, do follow a melt in mouth technique so that baby could eat that easily without any discomfort. 

·         Apples and raw carrots should be cut into little slivers and then serve to a baby. 

·         Hard raisins, celery, chickpeas, popcorn and beans are some other examples of food that can cause choking. 

·         Toys are always a reason for choking. There are many defects that can cause a toy to be a source of choking. The design of a toy is first thing to be considered. If a toy has small parts in its design, the baby may take these parts into his or her mouth. This may result in severe choking. Other defect is that of manufacturing a toy. This defect allows a toy to be fractured or not sturdy. Such toys are easily breakable by the babies and any broken part can cause baby choking hazard. Labeling defect can also misguide you to be safe for your baby when in fact it is not. 

Safeguard Your Baby against Choking 

Your baby is apple of your eye. No mother wants to leave any space for any hazard that could be fatal to her baby. Here are quoted some of basic safeguards that should be followed so that maximum safety of baby against choking could be ensured. 

Main safeguard that is required is against the small parts of toys. Shop only those toys which are safe for your baby. It should not have small detachable or breakable parts. Old and torn or fractured toys should never be welcomed. Any toy that has some chemical or metallic material should never be purchased because chemical leakage always poses a great hazard. 

Feed your baby with easily digestible and chewable food. No harsh or firm food item should be given to a baby. Use easily eatable food items. Do not cook any food having bones. 

Anything formulated or designed for older children should be kept at a distance from the babies. 

Never leave your baby alone. There should always be someone to supervise the baby. Use baby video monitors to supervise your baby while you are busy in the kitchen or having gossip with guests. 

If younger are also living with the baby, then they must be taught of what could go harmful to the baby. 

Baby choking hazards, whether partial or complete, is severe in nature and can cause a smiling star to be getting lit off. So parents should take great care of their baby against baby choking hazards.