Prevent Choking on Food in Children Under 4
Children younger than 4 years old are more likely to choke on food while eating.
Young children are learning to chew, may not have their back teeth (molars) yet, and they may swallow their food whole. Their small airways can easily become blocked with food. Read on for tips to help prevent choking.
Choking is not the same as gagging
Choking: happens when a piece of food blocks the flow of air, making it hard to breathe. It can be life threatening.
Gagging: helps protect the airway by pushing food forward when it feels too big, too far back in the mouth, or unfamiliar. It’s a reflex that is common for babies and
young children learning to eat solid foods.
Tips to help prevent choking in young children:
• Have children sit down to eat and remove distractions.
• Watch children while they eat meals and snacks.
• Offer foods that match a child’s ability to chew and swallow.
For more support
• Talk to your healthcare team.
• Call Health Link at 811 and ask to talk to a dietitian or complete a self-referral form on ahs.ca/811.
• Visit ahs.ca/Nutrition.
• Visit Myhealth.Alberta.ca and search choke.
• Visit Peas.ahs.ca and search Gagging in Babies and Children.
• Visit Healthyparentshealthychildren.ca