Popcorn?

linzpinz14 · April 2011

I was talking about toddlers eating popcorn to one of my parents today and I swear I read an article about how it was really unsafe until the age of 4 or 5...

Am I crazy? I'm google-searching now and just finding little articles about how it's pretty much in the same category as hot dogs, grapes, candy, and nuts. But I could have sworn I read an article about it being even more then just a choking hazard somewhere...

Temp806465500003043 · April 2011

My MIL gives it to DD. She loves it. MIL just watches her closely to make sure she doesn't eat too much at once. I never really thought about it being a choking hazard.

sistrkate · April 2011

I think I read something similar to you, and I always avoided giving it to Justin even though I love it. I didn't even realize he knew what it was till he asked me for some in Target one day. I guess he's had some at the parties at preschool!

So now I let him have it. I also let Tyler (18 months) have really tiny pieces that don't have the hard kernel in them.

linzpinz14 · April 2011

sistrkate:

I think I read something similar to you, and I always avoided giving it to Justin even though I love it. I didn't even realize he knew what it was till he asked me for some in Target one day. I guess he's had some at the parties at preschool!

I was shocked when I walked into a 3 year old classroom at one of the preschools I was touring and they were eating popcorn. I feel like sometimes spending time on the internet is going to make me a crazily-over-protective parent... but then again, it's not like popcorn is some staple food that she needs to have, so I don't have a problem not giving it to her.

I just want to know if I'm imagining articles or not! Confused

hav2run · April 2011

We give it to Brenna as long as we are watching her closely. I know they have it at her preschool, too.

KYMelissa06 · April 2011

The risk is with the kernels and the possibility of aspiration rather than a choking hazard.

Jessica&Brett · April 2011

Here's an article that says 4 as the age it's ok. This definitely makes me not want to give ds popcorn, yikes!

https://nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/25choke.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=popcorn%20and%20choking&st=cse

ETA: To correct link - sorry, I was posting from my phone!

KYmama9286 · April 2011

Ever since I heard this story I am more hesitant about popcorn. This article doesnt give much detail but when I heard it on the radio it came to light that she started choking/coughing, the parents thought she had either coughed up or swallowed the popcorn piece. It turns out she had aspirated on it and died a few days later-- if you notice in this article that she went to the hospital Thurs. evening and died Sunday afternoon. That alone is enough to scare me away and as pp said, its not a food staple so I might as well stay clear for a while.

KristenBtobe · April 2011

Nope, you aren't crazy at all. I don't give it to Maggie yet. In fact, I remember our pedi saying not to. I also still cut her grapes and don't give her a lot of nuts since they can be aspirated as well.

MrsMandaK · April 2011

I'm probably way too lenient about stuff like this, but my girls eat popcorn and I don't worry too much about it. There's always something that's a danger, ya know? I just feel like if you're keeping a close eye on them, it's not a huge deal.

adamsbabble · April 2011

Ava just had popcorn for the first time the other night. Like Katie, I didn't even realize that she knew what it was until she asked for some at Target. She's close to 4, so I let her have some and I even gave Charlotte (22 mos.) a few pieces one at a time, but was keeping a close eye on her (she was in the front of the cart, not wandering around with popcorn on her own or anything). Not to sound crazy overprotective, but I was uncomfortable with it, which is the reason I've never given it to either of them before now. I found myself finding a way to redirect her attention very quickly. Even though the risk may be very small and the story that Lauren posted might be the kind of thing that is a very rare occurence, it's not worth it just for the fact that it stresses me out - there are plenty of other treats I can offer when a treat is appropriate, so I don't think we'll do popcorn again anytime soon.

Miller238 · April 2011

I have given it to Katelyn before so that she had a snack food. It was hard finding her snack foods, and since she is fine with corn, I made some on the stove. Then, I pulled off the fluffy parts and fed those to her. No way she got a full piece in her mouth or pieces of the kernal.

Ttimes3 · April 2011

KristenBtobe:
Nope, you aren't crazy at all. I don't give it to Maggie yet. In fact, I remember our pedi saying not to. I also still cut her grapes and don't give her a lot of nuts since they can be aspirated as well.

This.

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