Do you still cut up your kids’ grapes?

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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?

The skin makes them a huge choking hazard. They're dry and not slippery. They get stuck and go dry at the back of your throat.

To everyone who doesn't cut there young childrens grapes up, because they can chew, well it doesn't really work like that.

Lets just hope its not one of your children that chokes on a grape and ends up dead. Because it happens.

I have no plans to stop cutting them for my 4 year old. We've also taught her to bite them when they're uncut just in case she has uncut grapes elsewhere. We practice that periodically.

I've never given my 19 month ild grapes!! My HV said it's not worth the risk, even if they are cut up. He LOVES practically all other fruit so he's not missing out. When I do eventually give them though, I'll be cutting them up until he's 80

They should be cut even for adults really.

Obviously the chance of choking us small, but if it happens it’s quite likely to be disastrous. Much more so than most other foods anyway.

The rules in school (at least in our LA) are that they must be cut in FS but not after that. No,I wouldn't cut them for an 8yo

Tbh ive just stopped buying grapes. Its a pita cutting them, I cant not cut them, and there is a whole world of fruit available so we just dont buy them anymore.

8yos have died choking on grapes? Have they? Really? I know there have been some tragic cases but mostly toddlers and afaik one 5yo

I do for packed lunch, I don’t for home- because I know they can eat them safely at home as they all chew them properly but at school I don’t trust them not to be messing about and just bolt them down to get out and play. Mine are 7 and over though. I would cut up for small kids at home x

My DS has just started reception and tells me they give him whole grapes. Is this normal? I'd rather they just didn't give them grapes if they don't have time to cut them.

I’ve asked for links or something on all the 8 yo grape deaths (in the presence of doctors trying to save them too) but not seen anything yet. I’m not convinced

Only just started letting my 10y old eat whole grapes and that’s because he just takes them from the fruit bowl - still won’t allow hard sweets and he knows I hate him having lollipops

I choked on a grape. Bloody scary. Was about 5/6 and eating them in the car, my mum has to do an emergency stop and for a second it got lodged. I had a sore throat for a few days and sore back from mum whacking me but I was ok

6yo
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dad-whose-daughter-choked-grape-13865432

Case report link
https://adc.bmj.com/content/102/5/473

bonbon I think it's a combination of the skin being slippery and the curvature of the fruit. Not as dangerous as grapes and cherry tomatoes, but still more dangerous than eg raspberries.

The problem with grapes is that sometimes not even paramedics can get them out with forceps, as the skin plus the shape and size cause them to get wedged in. Given it is only a very few minutes before the brain starves of oxygen (and how long you can wait for an ambulance these days, even if it's a real emergency), they are risky.

Even adults can choke on grapes etc, and they are generally more careful when chewing than children. Choking is the third leading cause of death in the home in the US.

Lady across the road told me once they are 2 you don't cut their grapes. She kept handing grapes to my DS who is 2 and I was twitching. I kept saying bite bite chew it. I think dhe thought I was a bit paranoid but I don't think 2 is old enough to be trusted. I always cut cherry tomatoes and even big blueberries too.

I cut DD’s into quarters, as I figure that half of a grape could block her airway as effectively as a whole grape. She’s 5

I removed my 2 year old daughter from her childminder because she wasn’t cutting up her grapes and still didn’t when asked.

I try not to have them at all, there are plenty of other fruits that they can have.

Those are not as much of a choking hazard though. Grape skin has some quality that makes it incredibly difficult to get hold of.

I always cut them up if im not going to be sat right next to them whilst they are eating. But if I am going to be watching them then I dont bother. I always remind my son to chew carefully when I give him grapes.

I still cut them for DD1 (7) and DD2 (4). I also have an 11 month old who I have given morsels of grapes with the skin removed. The thought of giving him whole grapes makes me feel really anxious, I can't actually imagine doing it.

Yes and I always get the piss taken out of me, ds7 almost choked on one last year it was the first time I'd never cut them up.
My dcs now know that anywhere they are, they are to refuse eating grapes unless they're cut up, people look at them strangely but I'd rather that than have to bury them.

Grapes are removed from packed lunches, if not cut up at our school ks1 & 2.

I have just stopped cutting them up at home for ds (8).

Yes I do. My 7 year old hates it, but I've said even grown ups can choke on grapes, so like it or lump it.

Mine are 6 and 10 so I don't any more. But if the 6yo has a friend round then I do as they're more likely to be distracted and arsing about.

Why are people shocked that an 8 year old could have choked on a grape? Anyone of any age can choke on them! DS is 9 and I still cut his up,it takes a matter of seconds.

I choked on a hard boiled sweet when I was around 8/9 years old. That feeling of it lodging absolutely terrified me and has stuck vividly in my memory for 30 years. It’s a horrible horrible feeling.

Just cut the bloody grapes up,it’s no big deal,it’s not wrapping our kids in cotton wool, it’s not OTT. It has the potential to save their lives.