Post by dcrunnergirl on Aug 13, 2012 8:14:33 GMT -5
I still cut grapes, but I don't remove the skin (and never have). I also don't remove the skin anymore from apples, peaches, etc. I think I stopped that when they were about 13 months. I figure that they've bitten me hard enough to break my skin, they can bit through the apple skin.
These days, we also just give them whole apples, peaches, plums, etc. (although watching them closely to make sure they don't hit the pit/core). Last week, they both stole peaches off the counter and ate the whole thing except the pit.
DS is 17 months old and I still cut everything up into small pieces, but I don't remove the skin unless its super thick-like the tomato I cut up this weekend. I used to remove the skin--and probably stopped 2 months ago when he got a few more teeth.
I will cut grapes until DS is 5. It is not worth the risk to me. I never remove skin though. We also don't do popcorn or hotdogs. I have choked more than once due to a narrowing in my esophagus that is genetic. I am extra cautious.
I cut grapes, but I don't take the skin off of anything (DS is 18 months). I'll give him whole fruits and he'll bite into them and eat them. We were at the farmer's market and I turned my head for a second, and when I looked back, he had snagged a plum and was eating it. That's when I realized I've probably been overprotective about his food!
My son will be 5 this month, and for the last couple months I have been giving him whole grapes when I am around to watch him eat, but still halving them for school lunches. I will probably stop altogether soon. So 4.5-5 for me.
Post by karinothing on Aug 13, 2012 9:16:30 GMT -5
I have no idea about cutting grapes since DS is only 10 months, but I have never peeled fruit. I actually didn't really realize that I was supposed to. Oh well, he handles the skin fine so far!
Post by hilwithonelary on Aug 13, 2012 11:32:35 GMT -5
DS is 2.5 and I'm still cutting grapes. I let him eat the skin on apples, but not tomatoes. I also don't let him eat lettuce, popcorn, or hot dogs. I'm not sure when I'll stop, but probably a few years at least.
Post by GailGoldie on Aug 13, 2012 11:43:18 GMT -5
i stopped cutting grapes at around 2.5 - i'm a freak about choking hazards (a friend of mine died from choking when he was 14yo).... but if the child is mature enough to know "chew that up really good!" then you can stop cutting- or just cut in 1/2.
i have never removed skin from stuff... but always cut up small until about 2.5-3yo.
Oh, good. I was just thinking that I can't imagine doing this, and then I started wondering if that makes me a horrible mother-to-be. So this makes me feel better. :Y:
Never peeled fruit. DS is 3.5. I cut grapes when I send them in his lunch. My DCP is just one woman w/ up to 6 kids and I feel like there is enough going on that I don't want to chance he chokes and she's busy.
I don't remember, but at DD's previous preschool, we weren't allowed to send grapes unless they were cut. I remember I had stopped cutting them by that point already, so I just didn't send grapes to school.
I have never taken the skin off of fruit. I let DD gnaw on whole apples when she was maybe 18 or 19 months old. I've never heard of the skin posing a problem?
Thanks for all of the responses. I think I will probably still cut grapes for awhile...especially b/c when I was packing lunch this morning they were huge! That is what made me think about how long I will do it.
And I think I will start giving them whole apples and peaches when I am close by. I am such a spaze about choking that when they even just cough when they are eating I stress out. I wish I could chill out a little.
Oh, good. I was just thinking that I can't imagine doing this, and then I started wondering if that makes me a horrible mother-to-be. So this makes me feel better.
You will not feel better if your kid chokes. Why not take a minute to avoid a well-known and obvious hazard for your child? If parents could see the results of choking/oxygen deprivation in babies/toddlers, they would be more careful.