Do you cut grapes in half?

Yes, I cut grapes in half for my 2.5 year old daughter. I also try to get the skin off. Even though she has teeth, she can still choke on the skin. Plus she hates the skin. I don't see how anybody could give a baby/toddler whole grapes. They are known to be one of the top choking hazards for that age. I didn't give my son whole grapes until he was around five or six. Maybe I am paranoid. But I rather be safe than sorry. Plus their windpipe at this older age is large enough to handle larger pieces of food.

I cut grapes in 1/4 for babe, and 1/2s for my preschooler who is over 3. Occasionally if I am with her while eating she'll get a whole one.

Kelcee is 2 years old and I still cut the grapes in half.

I quarter them. H is like Nick----stabs them w/ his fork in order to avoid the slimy part.

I still cut them for my four year old...you can never be too careful. If nothing else cut up grapes for the week and bring them to your daycare provider. That way you know that he has the cut up grapes and the daycare provider shouldn't mind as they are not doing any of the work. I can't imagine them saying know if you explain why you have concerns with it and provide your own grapes..if they still have issues then personally I would switch daycares. Their concern should be the children and not how much work goes into caring for them! [url=http://stepparent.adoptionblogs.com]Stepparent Adoption Blog[/url]

Castle will be three this week and I still cut grapes in half when I am with her and quaters when I am not with her. I can remember sending grapes cut in half with my two older boys when they were in Kindergarten!

Thanks so much everyone! Now I feel validated in the talk I had with the daycare provider Monday morning. I brought it up again and turns out that since I brought it up the first time a week or so ago, she has started cutting the grapes. *sigh* (of relief) The lady is a home daycare provider who used to only give the kids canned fruit cocktail or bananas and has been providing care for about 10 years! When I started bringing fresh fruit she told me that she started buying it and providing it to the children. I still bring fresh fruit 1-2 times week as I prefer my baby get fruit rather than fruit juice. Thanks again, this forum is so invaluable!

I am a nurse and just have to put my two cents in... Although I don't do it ALL the time, you are supposed to cut grapes until the child is at least 5 years old. The following are the top 5 causes of child choking deaths, and should NEVER be fed to children age five or younger unless you are IN THE ROOM watching them eat: - Grapes. - Hot dogs (quarter them length-wise - not cut them into circles). - Corn chips (they don't dissolve). - Peanuts. - Popcorn. (A three year old died a few years ago here in Seattle - in a movie theater, with his parents sitting next to them. They didn't notice he'd choked on the popcorn until it was too late. I had nightmares for awhile...) Chicken nuggets are up there, too, but not in the top five. Don't let them stuff one in their mouth and then run into the McD's (or wherever) playland. I see that all the time! Make them chew and swallow first. I had to get one out of the throat of a little girl (stranger) several years back at a Burger King. It was scary. Maybe I'm over-protective, but as a nurse I've seen and heard too much, and never let a babysitter feed these snacks to my little children. I set out other safer snacks instead. And when my daughter's preschool had a movie party, I volunteered to be there to "help" (watch), because I knew they would be serving popcorn. It only takes a few seconds of looking the other way... On that bright note... aren't kids the best?? :)

Lest you think I'm just super paranoid, my husband and I feed these snacks to my kids all the time. I just don't let the babysitters, because I'm not sure how well they watch, and how well they'd be able to handle a choking situation.

My rule of thumb is the cut everything. I cut length wise rather than in the width. That way if they should swallow it should go down. Hotdogs, grapes, strawberries, apples, etc...

I even used to cut the bigger blueberries. I don't cut grapes or blueberries anymore, but both my kids (3 in a few weeks and 5.5) eat their hot dogs with a fork cut length wise first and then in bite sizes. No popcorn, grapes or other choking hazards in the car (its too hard to watch them while you're driving). These foods get eaten with us only. I also do not let them walk around with food in their mouth. I am always amazed at how many kids at the McDs playland will pop a nugget in their mouth and then run off and play. I make them chew, take a drink and then they can go. I think these are just good habits for them to get into.

I still cut them for my 4.5 year old. He doesn't complain, so...I'd rather be safe than sorry....

I cut hotdogs and grapes, and only allow my kids to have popcorn with supervision. I don't give them whole mini marshmallows either, which isn't on Juliana's list, but is also a choking hazard for small children. The large marshmallows are a hazard even beyond the age of 5 because they are big enough to choke an adult-sized throat if swallowed whole. They get slimey and don't go up or down and can be the very devil to get out of a someone's throat.My Dh used to think I was paranoid...but after having kids in the house for years now he knows how bizarre things happen and how easy it is for something to go wrong in a short few seconds. He's very careful about seatbelts, helmets, food, plastic bags, toy pieces, and other safety concerns. I think my paranoia is growing on to him. :evilgrin:

I'm DEFINITELY more paranoid since becoming a mother. And I'm afraid of more things, like flying and heights, that I never was before. What's up with that? My Dad (a therapist) says it's because our mortality is not only more real, but matters more now that we have children.... Whatever, I just wish I could enjoy bungee jumping and rock climbing like I used to! (Scuba diving is still in. It's as terrifying as always, but still in. Shark dives are out.) And definitly those pesky marshmallows... a good addition to our growing list. Especially now that s'mores season is upon us! ...And my niece quit breathing with a scrap of Hershey's Kiss wrapper blocking her airway. Luckily tweezers got it out. The Heimlich was doing nothing for that little thing.

Grapes .... I used to cut raisins in half! I've chilled out alittle bit since then. Here's my scary story, and I look like an idiot in it!.... I was in a big hurry and trying to feed kids quickly. I gave them of all things, hot dogs uncut. I figured what are the chances something will happen just this one time? My 2 1/2 year old choked - a complete obstruction. He was turning blue and I started doing back blows / body thrusts. I was already planning to call 911 as soon as he was unconscious, because it was so bad I really thought he was going to go unconscious. Thank God it came out. I felt like the worst mom, because I knew better. It took that to get me back in the practice of cutting everything up. And I think if I had ran in the laundry room or ran out to get the mail... I can't even type it.