When Can I Stop Cutting Food Up In Teeny, Tiny Pieces?

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When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces?

Forum Index » Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers 1 2 ► Go Go to page... 07/15/2009 09:51 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

Our pedi says that DS' esophagus (?) is the width of his pinky, so she's a huge advocate of cutting things into tiny pieces to avoid choking. I didn't think to ask her when this stops. (will ask at the next visit) DS is 13 months old. I still cut pears/peaches/bananas/bread, etc. pretty tiny. DS seems to mash stuff up with his teeth anyway. And, when can I stop steaming apples? Can I just give DS raw apples in small pieces? (1st time paranoid mom here - obviously) Just wondering what others do.

report 07/15/2009 10:29 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

We actually found that DD was more likely to pick up food when it wasn't cut into such tiny pieces. I think it's hard for them to grasp the really tiny pieces, especially for slippery foods like fruit. If your DS has some teeth, he should be able to break up the food himself -- sounds like he's already doing that with the mashing. We give our DD food in lots of different sizes -- some of it tiny (stuff that is crunchy), some of it sort of medium size (if it's soft) and some of it in whole form (like a bagel that she gnaws on).

report 07/15/2009 10:33 Subject: Re:When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

sorry to tag onto your posting but i have a related question that i'm trying to find the answer to...when can they feed themselves a sandwich? i too am tired of breaking up food and i can't remember with my first child when they start feeding themselves sandwiches and know not to shove the whole thing in their mouths!

report 07/15/2009 11:28 Subject: Re:When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

all babies are different. i think the rule of thumb is to cut things that are already small enough to go in whole but might cause choking (grapes, cherries), but give them bigger pieces of things that require biting (like a slice of apple that they can bite into, or a whole cracker). that starts around a year, i think. just don't let your DC run around the house while eating (that's hard to police, but you have to be aware!). as for sandwiches....my son is just NOW, at 22 mos., able to eat a sandwich if it's cut into fourths. usually, he just takes it apart and picks at it. grrrr..

report 07/15/2009 11:52 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

To the OP - we started cutting up food in bigger pieces around the 11 month mark but DD does not have the esophagus issue. I would try bigger pieces with very soft food first, like a very ripe plum or peach. We also encourage her to chew and keep saying chew and show her a chewing motion with our mouth.

report 07/15/2009 12:26 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

OP here - thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping to keep DC from running around the house while eating for as long as I can! (we've had ants in the past, and obviously food crumbs everywhere will definitely worsen THAT problem). I'll try out some bigger pieces of the fruit - bananas/peaches, etc to see how he does. And, bigger pieces of apples, crackers. I think our pedi said all kids have that - where the esophagus is the size of their pinky? not sure though.... It'd be nice to not to have to chop everything!

report 07/15/2009 12:30 Subject: Re:When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

I've still been microwaving apple slices for my 16-month-old. I can give her raw apple slices now? She does have at least a couple molars.

report 07/15/2009 13:12 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

OP again - PP, that's what I was wondering. Don't they need molars to chew on things like apples? I never chew an apple with my front teeth. DS doesn't have any molars yet, so I've been apprehensive about giving him raw apples. But, maybe I'm being overly cautious?

report 07/15/2009 13:17 Subject: Re:When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

On the apple issue, peel off the skin and then peel slices of apple and let baby eat it raw. I cut the peeled slices so they're pretty bite size (maybe the size of my thumbnail?). Vary the thickness of the peels until you work up to a small piece (won't happen until more molars come in).

report 07/15/2009 13:53 Subject: Re:When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

I started with banana. Before, I used to cut it into "coins." Then I gave him a half of a banana, and he just ate from it what he wanted. I then watched him eat mandarin orange slices, which are bigger, too, but practically melt in your mouth. When he got cheerios down, I felt a little better. Sweet potato fries were good. They have to bite a size off they like, chew, and swallow, but it's still a pretty soft food. Mine seemed to not chew well until later than most kids -- maybe 14-16 months.

report 07/15/2009 14:31 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

OP, to back you up, when I took a CPR class the instructor said that EVERYONE's esophagus is about the width/size of their pinky finger. I was amazed, considering the big bites I take. So for babies, that is a little worrying. My DD has 8 teeth and uses them. At almost 11 months, she will bite goldfish like crackers into pieces. I have been cutting up textures (small bits like you said) since about 9 1/2 months. She does well with bigger chunks as long as it is something mushy (cottage cheese, soft veggies, etc.) As long as you can mash whatever it is between your own fingers, then you can try to give that as a larger chunk. I would start off with "spears" first: longer strips that they can hold and if they accidentally swallow them whole will go down. Save medallions or bigger cubes until later. I think by 18 months or so, she will be eating bigger chunks fine. As for sandwiches, I would watch out for those for a while. Most sandwich fillings become very sticky (pb & j, ham with mayo, etc.). So I think that could be a choking hazard too young. Maybe serving sandwiches on toasted bread is better at first, since it won't get so mushy. Just my opinion!

report 07/15/2009 14:35 Subject: Re:When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

My 16 mo/old has been eating sandwiches (cut in quarters) for a few months now. She insisted after seeing her big sis.

report 07/16/2009 08:32 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

OP again - This has been very helpful. Glad to know I'm not being overly concerned. I will try larger pieces, but slowly. And, I like the idea of actually peeling the apple (after you've 'peeled' the apple) to get thin shavings. Sounds quicker than chopping.

report 07/16/2009 09:12 Subject: Re:When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

Every kid is different but what I found with both of mine is that they were more likely to "over stuff" lots of tiny little pieces and choke on that, vs. taking their own bites so I stopped cutting things up and just let them do it themselves. The only exception to that was anything round (grapes, large blueberries, cherries, etc. and of course, hot dogs). I also found that they ate more once I let them do it b/c I think they were more interested in taking bites. For apples, before they were taking their own bites, I would just lice them length-wise super thin so they were basically flat and paper thin. Hope this helps a little.

report 07/16/2009 10:25 Subject: When can I stop cutting food up in teeny, tiny pieces? Anonymous

I have a problem with being overprotective about this. The daycare ladies finally forced me to stop chopping up my 18 month old's bananas! My baby has a lot of teeth. So I'm trying to lighten up about this. If it's a round food (like grapes or tomatoes), cut it into quarters. I chop meat and spaghetti into manageable bites. Tear up bread. Slice apples. Otherwise, I pretty much let her use her teeth now. She's doing fine. I stay near her (obviously) when she eats in case she chokes. Perhaps you can brush up on your cpr abilities to feel better?

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