What adults can do to prevent choking accidents caused by food in children

Mealtime is a fun time for children, but it hides the danger of choking.

Especially for small children, they cannot chew food well because their teeth have not fully grown in. If they are distracted by their surroundings, they cannot concentrate on eating.

Recently, there was a sad accident at a nursery school in Sapporo where a 1-year-old child choked and died at the nursery.

I have thought about what adults can do to prevent choking accidents caused by food in children.

Overview of the accident: From the news article on November 15

At the licensed nursery school "I-Grand Nursery School Takuhoku" in Sapporo, a 1-year-old boy choked on food from his school lunch and died shortly after 11:00 a.m. on the 23rd of last month. According to those involved, the results of the judicial autopsy revealed that the boy's cause of death was asphyxiation due to choking on meat. It has not been clarified what shape it was in.

How to choose and prepare ingredients

Children's meals need to change in shape according to their growth process. They will be able to chew properly only after their teeth have fully grown in.Understand that "until their teeth are fully grown, anything that cannot be crushed by gums is swallowed whole."The idea that a 1-year-old can eat the same things as an adult refers to the type of food, and the shape of the food must be adapted to the child's growth process. Here are three points to note about food given to small children.

1. Choose safe ingredients: Characteristics of dangerous ingredients are slippery, round (spherical), sticky, harden when absorbing moisture, and cannot be chewed.

The characteristics of dangerous ingredients are that they are slippery, round (spherical), sticky, harden when absorbing moisture, and cannot be chewed. Examples include grapes (slippery and round), mochi (sticky), bread (absorbs saliva and hardens in the mouth), candies and gummies (remain in the mouth in a round shape), and nuts or konjac (cannot be chewed).

2. Cut ingredients into small pieces: When serving solid food, cut it into small pieces before giving it to them.

Cutting ingredients: When serving solid food, it is important to cut it into small pieces before giving it to them. Especially for round or hard items, slicing them finely vertically or horizontally can reduce the risk of choking.

3. Ingenuity in cooking methods

It is important to boil them until soft or mash them to create a texture that is easy for children to chew and swallow.

Creating an environment where children can concentrate on eating

Children are easily distracted by surrounding noises and cannot concentrate on eating. While it is important to eat happily,if they talk or laugh with food in their mouths, they will inhale the food along with their breath, and it will enter their windpipe.This is very dangerous for children who have a weak coughing reflex. I have listed three points to consider.

1. Establish a habit of sitting while eating

Eating while moving increases the risk of choking, so be sure to establish a habit of sitting down to eat.

2. Create a calm environment

Turning off the TV and eating in a quiet, calm environment makes it easier for children to concentrate on their food.

3. Do not neglect supervision

Always watch over children during meals so that you can provide support if necessary.

Guidance on how to eat

I have listed the following three points as safe ways to eat that prevent choking. This is the same as preventing aspiration in the elderly. Grandparents should also be aware of this.

1. Teach children to chew thoroughly with every bite

Nowadays, there are many soft and easy-to-eat foods, and even adults are chewing less. It is said that in the 1930s, people chewed 1,420 times per meal, whereas in the Reiwa era, it is 620 times. Perhaps today, chewing well is something that cannot be done unless it is taught. It would be good if the adults involved could also develop the habit of chewing well together. Teach them to chew thoroughly with every bite and instruct them not to swallow in a hurry.

2. Eat in small amounts

Instruct them to put less in their mouths and be careful not to stuff their mouths full. The weaker the swallowing ability, the more they try to put a lot of food in their mouths and push it down. To strengthen swallowing ability, let's make it a habit to swallow little by little, many times.

3. Eat slowly without rushing

Do not rush meal times and convey the importance of eating slowly. My child was once told at kindergarten that since school lunch time is limited in elementary school, they should learn to eat quickly. Rushing to eat ultimately encourages "not chewing" and "swallowing whole," so I want to let children eat at their own pace.

"Choking and unable to breathe" is an emergency that waits for no one

Have you ever seen someone choking?

People who are choking do not beat their chests or look distressed like in cartoons. They crouch down and lose consciousness without making a sound. If the state of being unable to breathe due to choking continues for 5 minutes, the survival probability drops to 25%. Of course, you should call an ambulance as soon as you notice something is wrong, but every second counts. Adults should learn how to perform first aid.

Learn first aid

Learn first aid for choking, such as the Heimlich maneuver and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and be prepared for the worst.

Know the characteristics of children and enjoy meals together

To prevent repeating choking accidents caused by food in children, I have written about the characteristics of children that adults should know and points to be careful about. Let's make mealtime safe and enjoyable.

Reference article
Japan Pediatric Society - Choking on food: What you can do to protect children -
https://www.jpeds.or.jp/modules/guidelines/index.php?content_id=123