Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

whole grapes at nursery. do i mention it

30 replies

gigglinggoblin · 11/09/2006 21:32

or is it just pg hormones making me worry? how risky is it really? i mean, if it wasnt for mumsnet,would i even think about it?

it was only his 2nd day today, i cant be anonymous cos i was the only parent there to see it. mixed group of 2/3/4 year olds. dont want to seem ridiculous stirring type

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

hulababy · 11/09/2006 21:34

I would think if they are being supervised during snack time, then at 2-4years old they should be fine.

alexsmum · 11/09/2006 21:35

don't mention it , they will think you are loopy

Original poster

gigglinggoblin · 11/09/2006 21:40

i cant relax about anything atm, and i know from previous pregnancies i can turn into a bit of a lunatic! putting it out of mind is easier said than done, i think i need to stop reading anything which could cause panic attack

OP posts:

tissy · 11/09/2006 21:41

you could train him to say "I only eat cut-up grapes" whenever he sees one!

aitch71 · 11/09/2006 21:44

i would. who cares if they think you are loopy? uncut grapes are a known choking hazard.

Original poster

gigglinggoblin · 11/09/2006 21:48

no chance tissy! he loves grapes, no time for talking they are straight in his mouth.

i thought i would get more response like aitch, then it would be easy decision

OP posts:

coderoo · 11/09/2006 21:48

theya re old enogh to eat whole grapes

nearlythree · 11/09/2006 21:49

Grapes are supposed to be as big a choking hazard as boiled sweets. I think you should say something (think this was in a ROSPA report or similar so you may be able to google a report to show them.)

aitch71 · 11/09/2006 21:49

not according to a recent thread, cod.

FlipFloppinRubyRioja · 11/09/2006 21:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

vitomum · 11/09/2006 21:50

I barred ds's nursery from giving him raw carrot when he was one. I was convinced he would choke. Most nurseries understand the fact that different parents have their little foibles. You're not stirring cos your not saying that no-one should have grapes, just your son - and no-one can question your right to make the decisions you think best for him.

aitch71 · 11/09/2006 21:51

scaredtheshitoutofme

nearlythree · 11/09/2006 21:54

I saw this, too, aitch. I'd stopped cutting them for dd2 (aged 2.5) but have started again now.

Original poster

gigglinggoblin · 11/09/2006 21:59

didnt see that thread, i even searched and nothing came up. i will ask them to either cut them up or not give them to him. even if i do look like a loon its worth it not to sit thinking about it the whole time he is there

OP posts:

Olihan · 11/09/2006 22:04

A little boy died in our local tesco from choking on a grape. The paed who treated him said that un cut grapes are the perfect size and shape to lodge in a small child's windpipe and are incredibly difficult to get out once they go down a certain distance.

There was also a little girl at a nursery near my mum who died choking on a piece of apple.

I'd mention it.

KBear · 11/09/2006 22:08

I would mention it. My DS choked on a grape last year (he was 4!). He took one from the bag when I was unpacking the shopping and went in the other room. I heard a strange noise and there he was in the doorway unable to breath. I grabbed him, bent him over and whacked him on the back and the grape shot across the kitchen.

So it can happen to older children too! It doesn't have to be a big deal, just say he tend not to chew properly and you would be grateful if they could halve the grapes before he has them.

brimfull · 11/09/2006 22:09

jusy lie and say your child has choked on them before ...that'll scare the pants off them

brimfull · 11/09/2006 22:10

My dd choked on a starburst on her 12 birthday,I had to do heimlich thingy

bubble99 · 11/09/2006 22:13

I'm a nursery cook/owner.

I always cut them in half. Same with cherry tomatoes. And yes, pre-schoolers can manage them uncut, but they don't seem to mind, so why not?

WellieMum · 11/09/2006 22:13

Whole grapes are a well-recognised choking hazard. Don't let this go.

And thanks for the reminder - I want to ask about this at dd1's new childcare place. It's one of the few things I insist on.

ThePrisoner · 12/09/2006 19:15

As a childminder, I always cut grapes up (even for myself!!) - the ex-paramedic who has done my last few first-aid courses attended a fatal grape-choking accident, and he put the fear of God into me. I'm afraid that I even nag the parents of my mindees to continue my good work at home!

Gobbledigook · 12/09/2006 19:17

No, I'd ask for them to be cut. Neurotic maybe but I wouldn't risk it.

My friend's 5 yr old almost choked on a 10p last week - had to call ambulance etc. You can't be too careful.

smeeinit · 13/09/2006 18:21

definatly tell the nursery,im really suprised that they dont already cut them.
iv eworked in several nurseries and all have always cut grapes in half.
as ggirl says tell them hes choked before and they will certainly half them then!

marthamoo · 13/09/2006 18:27

I would ask for them to be cut up too. I didn't see Christie's thread () but I posted last year about this after my friend's little boy (3) choked on a whole grape. He had almost lost consciousness and was turning blue when the ambulance arrived - he was lucky. It's just not worth the risk for the little time it takes to cut them up. I still cut them up for ds2 and he's almost 5.

smeeinit · 13/09/2006 18:29

my sis still nags her 18yr old to be carefull with grapes!!!

Flip

1 2