Pop corn choking hazard?

mlefebvre

Does pop corn really present a choking hazard (and until what age?), or I am worrying too much?

I read a recent article about a 2 year old choking in front of her dad, he was unable to do anything to save her, heart-crushing, enough said...

The question came up because I am right now interviewing day care providers for my son; he will be about 17 months old when he joins the new child care arrangement (right now he is in a nanny share that will end at the end of the summer). The place I went to today offers pop corn as a frequent snack to kids between the ages of 20 months and 3 years old.

What's the consensus? Is it okay to give pop corn to kids under the age of 2 as long as they can handle it -- or is it one of those "you never know, 'it' can happen"??

Thanks for your insight!

brideofscowboy

DS eats popcorn from time to time if he's awake when I snack on it. I break off all the shelly parts and give him the puff part. Kids can choke on anything at any time.

bieanca

There was an article on here recently about popcorn.  It wasn't a choking hazard, but more of an inhalation issue.  Popcorn is so light that kids suck it down their windpipes and it goes into their lungs killing them.  I would not allow my child to eat popcorn period.  

Does anyone have the link to the article?  I would like to read it again. 

Amymichelle925

DH has fed DS popcorn before but he removed the "shell" part and breaks it in half.  I was not a fan of this and DH and I discussed and we're not going to give DS popcorn for a long while.  I'm just too much of a nervous nelly.

I would not be OK with DS having popcorn at daycare because I would not know for sure that they removed the shell and were watching my kid like a hawk.

NicoleWI

I do not think popcorn is a good snack choice at daycare! I would not like that.

lovemytwoboys

I think popcorn is a huge choking hazard! Everything I have ever heard/read advises against it until at least the age of 4. Most any site (from Dr. Sears to Parenting to AAP) states this as well.

WiggleBaby

this is the link to the article.

i will not let my DD near popcorn period.  it is not worth the risk, even if you think you are removing the dangerous pieces, you never know.  plus teaching them it is ok to eat popcorn means they might just grab a piece when you arent looking which is not a piece you deem as 'safe' -- anything can happen.  there are plenty of other snacks.

mrs_kelly1014

bieanca:

There was an article on here recently about popcorn.  It wasn't a choking hazard, but more of an inhalation issue.  Popcorn is so light that kids suck it down their windpipes and it goes into their lungs killing them.  I would not allow my child to eat popcorn period.  

Does anyone have the link to the article?  I would like to read it again. 

Exactly this. It's an inhalation hazard but it gets lumped into the 'choking' category. I will not be letting DS eat popcorn for a very long time.

macchiatto

lovemytwoboys:

I think popcorn is a huge choking hazard! Everything I have ever heard/read advises against it until at least the age of 4. Most any site (from Dr. Sears to Parenting to AAP) states this as well.

Yep, this! The inhalation hazard is what scares me. BIL's friend's 5-year-old choked to death on popcorn while he was just sitting calmly and eating it. It will be a while before I give it to my boys!

crzygirl

When my DH was 4 or 5, his older sister gave her some of her popcorn.  He inhaled it and then hid in a cabaret in the kitchen. No one could find him for at least an hour and when they finally found him, he needed to be taken to Pedi ICU right away.

He was in the ICU for over 2 weeks and no one knew what happened.  They thought he had cystic fibrosis for a while and finally performed surgery and found / removed the shell of a kernel of popcorn.

 We are a popcorn free household.