4yr old eating in the car

[itsturtlesallthewaydown]

I'm wondering if MN can help resolve a debate I have with my DH.

I think it's a choking risk for a 4yr old to eat whilst driving and so they should never be given food in a car. If they want a snack you should stop at a service station. My DH says it's OK to give them food whilst driving.

What does everyone else think?

YABU: It's ok for children to eat in a car.
YANBU: It's a choking risk and children should never eat in a car.

Listen to your gut OP. Even if it’s a small risk of your child choking, why would you risk it? It’s not like they absolutely have to eat in the car, or if they do then just pull over quickly so they can be supervised. After reading this thread I’m even more convinced not to do it!

I think a 4 year old is fine to eat in the car…a toddler with a whole grape I can understand but 4 year old with a yoghurt sachet, biscuits, crisps etc would worrry me more about the mess than choking!

Once upon a time I would have said YABU... until the day my 6YO started chocking in the back seat, I had no idea what was going on until he managed to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention. If he hasn't of done that, I don't know what would of happened.

He's 12 now, I have not allowed eating in the car since, it really shook me up.

Sit in the back with them

Bananas are dodgy as a bite is exactly big enough to block an airway.

Pulling over with hazards on is too dangerous on some roads. Yes it's sometimes absolutely necessary (in event of a collision or breakdown) but it also means you're at a high chance of being slammed into by a fast car coming round a bend not knowing what's ahead. Of course it's totally the fault of the car colliding with a stopped vehicle but being in the right would be little consolation when you've been smashed into and killed whilst trying to save your child from choking.

Never thought about this. But i haven’t got past the messiness aspect, I don’t like anyone eating in my car!

YANBU OP. I've done a paediatric first aid course run by a paramedic and this was covered off as an absolute no no. I don't even eat in the car myself anymore because if I'm driving and choking, both DD and I could die! I also agree there's no need. Just pull over. Choking is a silent killer and I'm surprised so many people are so blasé about it.

You have 4 minutes on a smart motorway that could be fun.
Inhaling wet foods to the lungs causes initial coughing but then can sit in the lungs and you're unaware causing problems later on.

What do you call usual choking foods.....someone said a banana was ok

DS choked in the car with some pear when he was 12 months old because DH is an idiot. He didn’t even notice, it took someone flashing him for him to stop and they (luckily a nurse) saved DS. That hasn’t stopped me from giving DS food in the car. It just means I pull over first and get into the back with him so I can intervene if needed.

I don't think there's a risk of a 4 year old choking on a sandwiches or crisps. My daughter is a young adult and she eats in the car. Not a child I know but she has epilepsy. So the risk of her choking when she's eating is higher. As long as she has someone sat in the back with her she's fine.

She's had a lot of siezures when she has been eating. But only ever choked once on some mangetout at home. I just slapped her on the back and it came out. I usually sit her forward sometimes any food in her mouth falls out sometimes it doesn't. But she usually comes out of it then carries on eating the food in her mouth.

I don't think 4 year olds should be driving in the first place.

I would be picking the food more carefully but the idea of eating in the car at 4 is okay with me, apart from the bloody crumbs.

I don't think 4 year olds should be driving in the first place

Good spot. If this is the case OP then choking is the last of your worries.

😂

I've never allowed eating or drinking in the car because of the potential mess!

So if you had to break or accelerate quickly, something in their mouth could lodge in their throat. This is much less likely to happen if the car is stationary.
For a 4yr old, if an adult was sitting travelling in the back with them, I wouldn’t be as worried if the food wasn’t too dry/oddly shaped and they also had a drink they could reach.

To be honest had mine ever choked in a car at 4 years old I'd get to them faster than any other location..

As I'd be more focused on being in a small space with them.

This is exactly why I never let mine eat unattended. If we're on a long journey and someone else driving I'll give snacks but watch them and only soft/v small pieces of food. Mine are 6 and 3.

I'm with you OP. I never let mine eat in the car.

Not me letting my 3 year old eat on every car journey...

Would be fine with my (just turned) 5yr old eating in the car. We often go on long journeys.

I used to eat in my dad's car when I was little, mine ate in ours and I have been given lifts by parents of small kids where the car floor is littered with with empty packaging and cartons. If you are overly concerned, op, you can sit in the back next to your child while your husband drives.

However this puts a different complexion on the issue...

I think it's a choking risk for a 4 year old to eat whilst driving

I never knew four year olds were allowed to drive ;). Be thankful she isn't swigging from a can of lager whilst cruising along the motorway.

This thread has reminded me that I choked on an extra strong mint in a cable car when I was 12. The car went over the pylon thing with a jolt, I think I gasped or something and the mint got stuck in my airway. I can remember the absolute terror of not being able to breathe or make a sound. Nobody noticed because we were rammed in there, and I was facing the glass. Luckily I managed to dislodge it myself, somehow.

Put me off extra strong mints for life.

I mostly avoided it when mine were toddlers and was v careful what it was. Also depended on situation ie of there were two of us on the front and the passenger can keep an eye on them.

I think it's Right to be aware of choking hazards. It can happen so fast.