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Original poster

Do you still cut up your kids’ grapes?

169 replies

ziggiestardust · 29/09/2018 20:03

My DS is 8 in a few weeks and I still cut up his grapes, in case of a choking hazard. My MIL thinks that I’m crazy and laughed at me when I told her I did this 🙈

What do you do?

OP posts:
Donthugmeimscared · 29/09/2018 20:26

I've never done it. Didn't know I was meant to.

GreenMeerkat · 29/09/2018 20:26

My DD is almost 5 and I still cut them.

Not worth the risk not to IMO.

ShovingLeopard · 29/09/2018 20:27

I managed to choke on water as a teen - somebody made me laugh as I was drinking, I inhaled, and it created an airlock. My father had to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre on me. Bloody scary.

I cut everything that could possibly be a choking risk for DD, and have banned her having things like popcorn, which is sometimes given as a treat at nursery.

We re very culturally cavalier about choking in this country. Other countries have more cautious guidelines, e.g. In Australia and the US it is advised to cut apple until at least the age of 4. Hardly anybody does that here.

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Families
glintandglide · 29/09/2018 20:27

I’m still a bit agog at your passionate dismissal of shitty table knives tbh MsOliphant

ourkidmolly · 29/09/2018 20:28

So when do you stop? 21? Surely children can be taught to bite into a grape in the same way they are taught road safety etc?

MsOliphant · 29/09/2018 20:28

Maybe I grew up with shitty table knives Blush

thisismadness77 · 29/09/2018 20:30

I’d got a bit lax with cutting up sausages lately, but dd 6 had a scary moment with a cocktail sausage last weekend. I’m back on it, was a terrifying few seconds before she screamed indignantly “I swallowed a sausage!”

whyispeppainthenightgarden · 29/09/2018 20:30

Because o didn’t no you were supposed to with my 2 year old she didn’t have and problems do not with my 11Month there not pretty good chewers and always make sure I’m in the room when they are eating

chickywoo · 29/09/2018 20:31

Don’t these children with teeth know how to chew? Do u cut maltesers up too? How about sprouts?

MattLeBlancVest · 29/09/2018 20:31

4 year old in to quarters.
Dh does halves which makes me twitchy but I know that's adequate.

softkittywarmkitty28 · 29/09/2018 20:32

I cut up my nearly 10 y/os
There was an 8 year old local to me that ended up in a coma after choking on a grape

bonbonours · 29/09/2018 20:32

My kids are 8, 10 and 12 and I don't generally cut them unless we have younger kids round. All the publicity about it came about when they'd been eating them uncut for years so it seemed a bit crazy to start cutting them at that point.

My question for those who still cut for 8 or 9 year olds is when will you stop? Presumably people out there are not cutting grapes for teenagers?

I do make a point of reminding my kids to always bite straight into grapes and cherry tomatoes and never throw them into their mouths (as I spotted my daughter doing once)

tinymeteor · 29/09/2018 20:34

Wow some passionate defenders of the humble table knife on here Grin

I still cut up grapes for my 4yo. Can't imagine stopping. Will probably be doing it when she's 20 at this rate.

As I understand it they're also a perfect choking hazard for adults, but with kids it's the added risk of them being distractibke while eating. Even though she knows to chew them, I wouldn't feel comfortable relying on her to do so yet.

Pebblespony · 29/09/2018 20:34

A nephew of a colleague at work died from this very recently. He was 4 and a half. It was so, so sad. Parents with him but couldnt get it out fast enough. Had to turn off life support two days later.

bonbonours · 29/09/2018 20:35

Shoving leopard I'm curious as to how cut up apple is safer than a whole one. Either way you have to bite a piece off unless you are chopping them into tiny bits.

bluetrampolines · 29/09/2018 20:35

If they are eating them away from home.

glintandglide · 29/09/2018 20:35

I do think you have to allow them independence at some point, I mean an 8 year old gettting grapes cut up for them really isn’t a great idea in terms of their development

RebelRogue · 29/09/2018 20:37

Nope,never have. I only cut if other kids are visiting.

MsOliphant · 29/09/2018 20:41

As a professional child-career, the fallout if I didn’t cut up s vraie abd something happened...I’d never work again!

Belmo · 29/09/2018 20:41

Always. Am deeply judgemental of anyone who doesn’t.

MsOliphant · 29/09/2018 20:41
  • a grape and something....
Dermymc · 29/09/2018 20:45

WTF teach your kids to chew.

I don't for my 18month old because he chews.

divafever99 · 29/09/2018 20:47

Forgot to add I don't let them have mini eggs as they are of a similar size, and heard of a child that sadly choked and died from one.

Buddyelf · 29/09/2018 20:47

I do and probably always will! Eldest DD is 7 and I cut them. My dad worked with someone whos nephew chocked to death and he was 6. They will always be cut in my house!

glagdy · 29/09/2018 20:49

@Dermymc are you actually reading the fucking thread? 8 year olds have died with medics present who simply couldn't get the grape out.

Your child is so young you're being lazy and negligent by not cutting them, sorry.