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Original poster

Toddler given marshmallows at nursery

194 replies

ginonthebus · 15/12/2023 23:21

DS (18 months) has returned from nursery this evening with a cake he's 'made'. Was slightly concerned to see that it's decorated with a full size marshmallow on top. His nursery are usually brilliant with safety etc, but aren't these a major choking hazard? Can't tell if I'm being a bit PFB about this or if it's worth saying something to nursery. DH thinks we'll be 'those parents' if we do...

OP posts:
Nicesalad · 15/12/2023 23:25

Yes those are not safe for toddlers.

margotrose · 15/12/2023 23:25

I'm confused - what's wrong with marshmallows? Confused

ectoone · 15/12/2023 23:28

He made the cake but he hasn't eaten it so it's your choice which parts he eats. I wouldn't complain about this.

Nicesalad · 15/12/2023 23:30

margotrose · 15/12/2023 23:25

I'm confused - what's wrong with marshmallows? Confused

They are difficult to chew for toddlers, too big in their mouths, they don't always have the skills to know how to chew them properly,vthey are they right size to get stuck in the windpipe.

ChocolateTurtle · 15/12/2023 23:31

I would mention it, you can do so politely and respectfully. Just say that you only found out recently yourself that marshmallows are a choking hazard for young children and thought you'd pass it on. If the nursery are any good they'll be glad of the information

watcherintherye · 15/12/2023 23:34

Marshmallows are about the same size as the airway of a young child. When being eaten and swallowed, the consistency becomes sticky and hard to dislodge if it gets stuck.

Bootskates · 15/12/2023 23:38

I've seen a few EY providers do "melted snowman" cakes (if that's what he's made)

I would just casually mention it at next drop off, they might have thought it was ok as they were giving them to the parents and not serving them to the children.

StSwithinsDay · 15/12/2023 23:40

@margotrose
They are a choking hazard.

Allmarbleslost · 15/12/2023 23:41

He's made it at nursery and brought it home? I don't see the issue

Lollypop701 · 15/12/2023 23:41

If it’s a cake made for home , surely you will be responsible for eating? And cutting up.

StSwithinsDay · 15/12/2023 23:42

@Allmarbleslost
The issue - as you can see on replies here -is that some people don't see marshmallows as a choking hazard.

Aquamarine1029 · 15/12/2023 23:43

Full sized marshmallows are a massive choking hazard. I would be very concerned.

Laszlomydarling · 15/12/2023 23:44

Sit with your child and teach them to bite and chew it safely. That's your job. If they were eaten at nursery then it's their job to sit with the child and teach them to bite and chew safely.

Aquamarine1029 · 15/12/2023 23:45

Laszlomydarling · 15/12/2023 23:44

Sit with your child and teach them to bite and chew it safely. That's your job. If they were eaten at nursery then it's their job to sit with the child and teach them to bite and chew safely.

Full-sized marshmallows are not safe for very young children, even with supervision. Full stop.

SleepingStandingUp · 15/12/2023 23:46

So they sent food home for him to rest with a parent so parent him and take it off and cook it out chop it or eat it. They haven't plopped him in a corner alone with a bag of them. If you don't want him to eat it, don't let him

Xmasbaby11 · 15/12/2023 23:49

I would be concerned as marshmallows are a choking hazard - I didn’t allow mine them until they were quite a bit older. I guess you can cut it up but it still doesn’t seem like great practice so I’d mention it as pp said - pretend you just found out.

KittenBiscuit · 15/12/2023 23:50

I know of a former colleague's daughter who died choking on a marshmallow, and she was an adult. It was one of the large ones designed for toasting on a fire. I haven't eaten a large marshmallow since, only the small ones you have on hot chocolate. There's no way my DS will be having one until he is old enough to understand the risks.
Please OP do warn the nursery staff of the dangers!

KittenBiscuit · 15/12/2023 23:50

I know of a former colleague's daughter who died choking on a marshmallow, and she was an adult. It was one of the large ones designed for toasting on a fire. I haven't eaten a large marshmallow since, only the small ones you have on hot chocolate. There's no way my DS will be having one until he is old enough to understand the risks.
Please OP do warn the nursery staff of the dangers!

Highlyflavouredgravy · 15/12/2023 23:51

So take the marshmallow off.
For God's sake.

Tourmalines · 15/12/2023 23:56

He didn’t eat it at the nursery, and obviously they would have been supervising all the kids . Now it’s at home , it’s your job to cut it up or don’t give it to him!

WobblyCat · 15/12/2023 23:57

I read about an adult who died within the last few months by choking on a marshmallow, this should absolutely be brought to their attention in a diplomatic way. It's a safety issue you can't mess around with.

Hattie89 · 16/12/2023 00:00

KittenBiscuit · 15/12/2023 23:50

I know of a former colleague's daughter who died choking on a marshmallow, and she was an adult. It was one of the large ones designed for toasting on a fire. I haven't eaten a large marshmallow since, only the small ones you have on hot chocolate. There's no way my DS will be having one until he is old enough to understand the risks.
Please OP do warn the nursery staff of the dangers!

I absolutely agree. I know someone who lets their toddler eat whole massive grapes while running around! She definitely wouldn’t think twice about giving him a full sized marshmallow! Not everyone will be as switched on about this as you are.

Toottooot · 16/12/2023 00:02

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Rocknrolla21 · 16/12/2023 00:02

I’ve not even heard of this being a hazard before. A bit of research tells me food like various fruit/veg/nuts and in particular hotdogs are far more ‘dangerous’. In the uk an average of 1 child dies a month from choking, not enough to be so paranoid about a marshmallow on a cake. It’s statistically more likely for a child to drown in a swimming pool with their parents actually present than choking on anything at all, let alone specifically a marshmallow. Do you take your child swimming?

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