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Original poster

When to stop cutting grapes?

54 replies

PrincessTuna · 16/02/2021 22:05

DC is 6yo and I'm still slicing grapes in half (lengthways of course). It occurred to me that perhaps I am being ridiculous and over anxious. I was terrified by various news stories and a baby first aid course.

When did/will you stop?

OP posts:

RedPandaMama · 16/02/2021 22:08

Last time I visited my Nana (February 2020 ) she gave me a plate of fruit, and the grapes were halved. I'm 24

JacktomyDaniel · 16/02/2021 22:09

I stopped at age 4. Only after months of drilling them to bite a grape first before it goes into the mouth properly. By 6 I would assume (maybe wrongly!) that his wind pipe is bigger than a grape?
Also if he eats things like mini eggs, maltesers, chunks of apple then its not much different

RedPandaMama · 16/02/2021 22:09

Serious answer though, my DD is 3. Won't touch grapes but I've always heard it's age 5 where it's no longer a major risk. But keep cutting them if it puts your mind at rest

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ceeveebee · 16/02/2021 22:10

I still slice grapes for my 9yo DS

nomorespaghetti · 16/02/2021 22:10

Following with interest! I was wondering this the other day. My eldest is 5 and I’m still doing it (but I also have a 2 year old so if I’m cutting them for him then I might as well do it for her too).

MartinAtAFuneral · 16/02/2021 22:10

@PrincessTuna

When did/will you stop?

Short answer: never. My DC are all over 16.

They do all kinds of risky stuff, but they don't eat whole grapes.

Original poster

PrincessTuna · 16/02/2021 22:10

Oh that's adorable @RedPandaMama! I can relate to your Nana.

OP posts:

museumum · 16/02/2021 22:11

I don’t cut them for my 7 yr old at home but I probably would in a packed lunch or at a picnic where they might be horsing around.

Thatwentbadly · 16/02/2021 22:11

The official answer is 5. Before the lastest lockdown we had a letter from school asking for grapes to be cut in half - this was to the reception class.

FabbyMagic · 16/02/2021 22:13

I looked this up the other day actually www.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/20/lack-of-awareness-of-grape-choking-hazard-putting-children-at-risk-say-doctors

minniemango · 16/02/2021 22:13

@museumum

I don’t cut them for my 7 yr old at home but I probably would in a packed lunch or at a picnic where they might be horsing around.

Same here - sitting down at the table then whole.

Original poster

PrincessTuna · 16/02/2021 22:13

This is reassuring. I'm not a neurotic fool. Hooray!

OP posts:

Wearywithteens · 16/02/2021 22:15

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

FabbyMagic · 16/02/2021 22:18

@JacktomyDaniel

I stopped at age 4. Only after months of drilling them to bite a grape first before it goes into the mouth properly. By 6 I would assume (maybe wrongly!) that his wind pipe is bigger than a grape? Also if he eats things like mini eggs, maltesers, chunks of apple then its not much different

I think it’s also that the outside skin of the grape also doesn’t break down quickly like other foods might.. I nearly choked on a grape a few years ago, was awful, it just lodged itself there! So I am very careful to bite first now! Just not worth the risk with children

Original poster

PrincessTuna · 16/02/2021 22:19

@FabbyMagic that article is so sad.

It says hotdogs and sweets are the top 2 food choking risks, grapes are 3rd. Awful.

OP posts:

icelollycraving · 16/02/2021 22:20

I do still for Ds who is almost 10.

Original poster

PrincessTuna · 16/02/2021 22:23

I've been horrified to see kids running round soft play with lollies in their mouths. Nightmare.

OP posts:

cautiouscovidity · 16/02/2021 22:24

My youngest DC is 9. I still cut grapes

ButtonMoonPie · 16/02/2021 22:27

Think I'll be cutting them til kids go off to uni!
My niece almost choked on a lollipop recently - to the point she turned blue and paramedics attended. It was terrifying and I've now banned those hard candy type lollipops from the house.

wellthatsunusual · 16/02/2021 22:28

@cautiouscovidity

My youngest DC is 9. I still cut grapes

Me too.

BokehBabe · 16/02/2021 22:29

I still cut them. It's instinct now, I don't even think about it - DC is 16

AIMD · 16/02/2021 22:29

I have a 4 and 6 year old and still cut grapes.

Though oddly today we had grapes and strawberries covered in chocolate and I let them have it whole. Staring at them, reminding them to bite it and not put it in their mouth for every singular grape.

I think I’ll cut them for a while longer and save myself some stress.

Minikievs · 16/02/2021 22:30

I still cut them in half for myself! They taste way better when halved
I cut them for my 10 yo and 8 yo too

HunterHearstHelmsley · 16/02/2021 22:31

I'm 35. I still cut them for myself!

My friends grandchild died choking on a grape. He was 5. I'll slice them forever.

cheeseismydownfall · 16/02/2021 22:31

My youngest is 9 - I don't cut them any more but I do stand over him hollering "Bite it!! BITE IT!!!"

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