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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:
WilburIsSomePig · 29/09/2018 22:54

DS is 14 and DSS is 24 and I still cut up their grapes. I know, I know, I just can't get out of the habit!

SinisterBumFacedCat · 29/09/2018 22:55

I cut mine for DS 8 and for myself! I don't think I'm ever forget being at baby group and the being told in great detail about a 2yo choking to death at the local Tesco. Such an awful and unnecessary waste of life.

Perfectly1mperfect · 29/09/2018 22:55

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.

Exactly this. Anyone at any age can choke.

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DixieTrix · 29/09/2018 22:55

I'm ancient but back in 70's when I was a kid my Gran used to peel all the skin off my grapes for me, she'd sit and do them one by one then hand them to me while but skinned. To me that's a labour of love for sure, i idolised her

DixieTrix · 29/09/2018 22:56

Whole not while !

Prometheus · 29/09/2018 22:57

Nope. Only on Mumsnet have I ever heard of cutting up grapes. Ever since my kids have had teeth they have known how to chew.

Perfectly1mperfect · 29/09/2018 23:06

Prometheus

That's strange. Health visitors, doctors, baby groups, play groups have all mentioned/did this when my children were younger.

Having teeth and being able to chew doesn't guarantee not choking as some very sad cases have shown.

SageYourResoluteOracle · 29/09/2018 23:09

The thing about independence and teaching children to chew is a ridiculous argument: grapes (and cherry tomatoes for that matter) are particularly hazardous because of their size, shape and texture. They easily glide into windpipes due to their smooth, shiny skins then slip down until becoming lodged like a bottle stopper. Even half a large grape could be hazardous. And the younger the child, the greater the risk as if the grape completely blocks a smaller windpipe and is stuck fast then, well... I get fed up with this societal mis-match where so many parents would judge young children being given responsibilities or playing outside in the park (these are just random examples) yet something where there is statistical evidence that it is high risk, people are scornful of.

Lifting little kids and swinging by arms gets me too: I've a friend who's a nurse and very laid back with her kids but swinging and lifting by arms under two she said is one of the biggest reasons children end up in a&e because their shoulders are dislocated.

Anyway. I'm ranting. As you were... Smile

IHaveBrilloHair · 29/09/2018 23:10

Crikey, 14, 24Shock
I just can't imagine doing that.
Dd would laugh/be horrified and think I'd gone completely mad if I cut grapes for her, she's 17.
Surely at 14/24 they choose food outside of the home and manage perfectly well?

AntiHop · 29/09/2018 23:20

@Prometheus I'm very surprised you haven't heard about the particular risks from choking on grapes outside of mumsnet. I've heard about this from easing news stories about children who've died, from going to a session at a children's centre on weaning, from going to a paediatric first aid course.

Also being able to chew doesn't eliminate the risk of choking. It that was the case, no adult would choke.

fuckwitseverywhere · 29/09/2018 23:21

I cut grapes, cherry tomatoes, sausages. DS eats nothing cylindrical in shape.

A few of us were horrified when an 18mo was eating whole cherry tomatoes at the weekend. Her DM had given her them so we couldn't do anything

Nightwatch999 · 29/09/2018 23:34

I would advocate cutting anything up to reduce the risk of choking. Believe me i have seen people choke on carrots, grapes and sweets. Do not listen to your MIL. And i would also suggest she does a First Aid Course just in case something horrific does happen.

Nightwatch999 · 29/09/2018 23:39

@Dermymc are you for real? Do you think your exempt from choking if you chew your food? Hmm

ThorsMistress · 29/09/2018 23:45

I cut them in half for DS aged 6. I didn’t until I read about the choking risk

slithytove · 29/09/2018 23:55

I do but I’ve also taught them to bite them (and cherry tomatoes)before they go into the mouth, which I think is safer because at 4 and nearly 6, I don’t control every environment they are in and they may well come across whole grapes. They also nick them when I’m not looking.

Agustarella · 30/09/2018 00:10

Mine are aged 17, 13 and 9, and I don't remember when the grape cutting advice came in but I'm pretty sure I never cut grapes for the eldest. It's a very long time since I've cut up grapes for the youngest, as I thought it was just a toddler thing. Should I still be cutting up her grapes? You've got me worried now, she had half a punnet of uncut grapes for dessert.

I wasn't allowed hard boiled sweets as a child because my mum nearly choked on one when she was small, so I've always been aware of choking risks, just sceptical when it comes to the risk posed by grapes.

Nightwatch999 · 30/09/2018 00:36

Hi @Agustarella I would cut them up, long ways not into chunky quarters, In my job I've lost count on how things can go wrong very quickly.

Agustarella · 30/09/2018 00:38

Thanks @Nightwatch, I'll get some funny looks tomorrow but I'll give her cut up grapes anyway!

GlitterGlassEye · 30/09/2018 00:48

My eldest dc choked on an apple slice when he was 2. He was fine, now 14. But I do cut them into little chips now for my youngest dc. She doesn’t like grapes, even the candy floss flavour but I cut them into quarters for her to try. She prefers veg thankfully.

ClaireFraser · 30/09/2018 02:46

I was told that the shape of a child's windpipe changes about age 5, and up until then grapes are just the 'perfect' (ell not perfect obvs but you know what I mean) size to get stuck.

Still a choking hazard if not carefu when older, but not in the same league

MammyShark · 30/09/2018 04:46

I cut grapes and cherry tomatoes for me. Scorn away but they're slippy fuckers that can catch anyone out. A 37 year old died on our ICU recently after choking on a grape.

Tidythatmess · 30/09/2018 06:25

Always always always cut them up for 7 and 5 year old. The thought of a whole grape getting stuck chills me.

I've also drummed into them never to put a whole grape in their mouth if out and about. They roll their eyes at mad but I don't care.

If they get annoyed about grapes being cut up for school I'll stop putting grapes in their lunchboxes.

I also cut up large strawberries

EscapeToTheMoon · 30/09/2018 06:30

My DS is 10 and i still do.

TenThousandSpoons · 30/09/2018 07:30

I went on a first aid course where they said if you ask any paramedic they will have seen a child that has choked on a grape.
I cut them up for my 6 year old but not my 9 year old.

Odiepants · 30/09/2018 07:40

Yes - DS (8) school only allow grapes in lunchboxes if they are cut in half.