To not cut grapes

[FreedomBird]

I have a 3 and a 7 year old. And I no longer cut their grapes.

Me and DP had a massive barney about it last night and I’d like to know if I’m BU.

The risk is very minimal. On average 5 under-10s die from choking every YEAR in the uk. (www.google.co.uk/amp/s/cesafety.co.uk/choking-deaths-report-2019/amp/ )

However, 40 children a day are hospitalised due to choking OR eating something bad. The figures aren’t broken down.

To put the 4 deaths a year into context, 100 under 10s die due to accidents every year so choking is about 4% of accidental deaths, and grapes are a small percent of these ( www.capt.org.uk/news/senior-doctors-warn-accidents-leading-cause-of-death-for-boys-aged-one-to-four ). There are around 8 million under-10s so the percent who die each year due to any form of choking is 0.00005%

I cut up grapes when it’s easy, but don’t worry about being paranoid about it.

I 've just voted YANBU by mistake sorry.

Cut the grapes.

I'll c&p it because if you're too lazy to cut up grapes for your children, you're probably too lazy to click the link. See if you can be bothered to read why you're supposed to cut up grapes.

Oh, the irony of posting that without being bothered to read the thread and see the OP has already taken the feedback on board and will cut grapes in future.

My kids are 12 & 15, I still cut their grapes

Oh good. I thought I was the only one, given people are advising cutting grapes for a 3yo but not a 7yo!

One of mine is 17 and I have taught him to cut his grapes so he does. I once watched him have medical intervention for a choking incident that almost killed him though, so that obviously plays on my mind when it comes to grapes.

It wasn’t really a thing when DS was little but we taught him to bite grapes in half when he ate them. I’d cut them now if he was little.

I've resuscitated a child who choked on mashed potato so yes, I cut grapes for my 3 yr old.

@peajotter

I don’t want my DD to be a statistic even if it’s a tiny statistic! Not while there is something I can do to prevent it. I cut up apple for her too into thinner slices so she is less likely to choke on it. I don’t feel I’m being paranoid.

we dont eat a lot of grapes in my house, and totally agree with the cutting.

is it worth also trying to train our dc (and ourselves) to bite in half and not just pop in your mouth? just a thought, not meant to be goady, just 'popped' into my head as another thing we could do?

Cut for the 3 year old!!

Although very few (statistically, it means nothing if it's your child) under 10s die from choking, more suffer brain damage due to oxygen deprivation before resusitation and are permanently and drastically changed.

Just adding to reiterate what a PP said about hot dogs. There was a child in my area died a couple of years ago at my church barbecue, despite there being a paediatric intensive care doctor there as it happened, he couldn't be saved. They're perfectly shaped and perfect consistency to block an airway.

It's not just that grapes can get stuck. A paramedic told me that they are very difficult to dislodge from the wind pipe one they're such because of the size, shape slipperiness - they can't get a good hold on them to extract them.

is it worth also trying to train our dc (and ourselves) to bite in half and not just pop in your mouth? just a thought, not meant to be goady, just 'popped' into my head as another thing we could do?

Fine in principle but the natural way to bite a grape is widthways. This will still be a choking hazard and, as a previous poster said, actually worse than leaving it whole because it’s more difficult to remove.

I can't believe all these teachers who are too scared to go back to classrooms of just 15 kids. Of course you can't make children wear masks, it's ridiculous. Just suck it up, you can't remove all risk from life.

Sorry, above post is the wrong thread.

YABU, OP. I still cut up grapes for my Y1 child.

I cut up most fruit into quarters for my DC (7 years and 22 months). Even strawberries and blueberries and ESPECIALLY grapes. The 2 minutes of extra hassle is worth it. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to either of them and I could have prevented it.

Glad to hear you will cut them up now, OP.

Why are some of you being dicks? Are you meaning to be such dicks?

I asked a question. I’ve an answer. I’m grateful for such an overwhelmIng response on one side.

No need to talk to me like shit or make assumptions about my parenting.

I’m far too lazy to read all the shitty posts and follow the links. I’m off to cut my grapes...

Thanks folks

Yabu. It takes a second to cut them up!

Sorry cross posted OP

You should cut ANY chokeable items not just grapes into quaters length ways. Ive known 2 separate children and a baby die from grapes and other chokeable items. Do not take the risk, it takes 2 minutes maximum. Don't be lazy or simply think it won't be my child.

Nuts too.

I don't chop my three year olds. One morning he came up with his own bowl full and managed ok. Won't eat them chopped up now.

You need to cut them. They are the perfect size to get lodged in a child's throat and choke them. I don't get why you wouldn't cut them, it doesn't take long and it's for safety.

Yes. It takes seconds. Why risk this op? Gives me chills.

@chunkyrun if he wont eat them chopped, you simply do not give them. Please, it really does matter, you could save his life by not giving them