Whole Grapes and New Daycare.

Here in MN there was a 4 year old who DIED and it is blamed on her choking on a grape at daycare this past summer. I am a daycare provider in another part of MN and this story horrified me. Personally I am not willing to take the liability with another persons child. I cut the grapes for all children (mine are all under school age)..also hot dogs..fruit is cut smaller..everything. I had to Heimlich a child once a long long time ago..scary and I never want to have to do it again.

Heres the story about the child who died..
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/96985704.html

I would definitley STILL be cutting up grapes for a 14 month old. My nephew will be 2 in March and we still cut up grapes for him. Personally, I don't think this lady sounds like a person I would want watching my child. It doesn't seem like cutting up grapes is something she would do, even if you asked her to.

If you want her to eat cut grapes -send the cut grapes with her. I've never cut grapes and I certainly wouldn't spend the time to do so if I was trying to run a daycare. I don't know how old the lady is, but I had never heard of or seen anyone cut grapes for any age child until I was 37 and had my first toddler. I know when I was growing up, no one ever thought of it. This woman cannot do every single thing every parent wants her to do and still look after multiple children.

I'm a little over-paranoid about these things too... and yes at almost 2.5 I still cut his food into pieces, including grapes. He's perfectly capable of biting and chewing, but I still worry.

Having said that, I think what you are really upset about is the fact that she dismissed what is really a simple request which begs the question... what other requests would she dismiss? If it were me, I would look elsewhere. If you can't trust that this person will do things the way you want them (within reason), then you will not be comfortable with your daughter in her care.

We visited several daycares before finding one that we felt comfortable with. I have complete confidence in the care this woman and her assistants provide and she has never dismissed concerns that I have, questions that I ask and will always take the time to explain to me things that she does with the children. To me, trust and open communication are essential when finding a childcare provider.

My son is almost 2.5 and yes, I still cut his grapes. And if he has a hot dog I cut it length wise as well.

Per my husband (who is a first responder) and our pediatrician - grapes are one of the most commonly choked upon food for kids.

Yes. I cut my kids grapes until at least age 2.

My friend works with adults who have disabilities. She has two clients who are living with brain injuries resulting from choking as a child, one from grapes and one from hot dogs.

J.

At that age( and older) I absolutely cut my kids grapes. I would think most parents are going to say the same. It isn't about how many teeth they have, grapes are the purfect size and texture to slide right down a littles ones throat and get stuck. I would definately tell the daycare provider again that you would like your daughter's grapes to be cut.

I am a family daycare provider and up until yesterday I was quartering and peeling grapes for a 1 year old, halving them for a 18 mth old and I just recently allowed my 2.5 year old and an almost 3 year old eat small whole grapes. The more important issue here is that she should have asked you what you feel comfortable with when it comes to a choking issue like this. I try to get input from my parents about these kinds of things --helps to gain a parents trust and a mother myself it is what I would want if I were in that position. You could go the cut up grape route yourself and send them in or consider someone else--she may have this attitude about alot of things..excessive TV watching, being left unattended while eating...etc.

As a daycare provider what mom says goes. If you want your child to eat half grapes by all means I'll cut them in half. I don't think you're over reacting at all. Couple of months ago a 4 year old died at a daycare in town by choking on a grape. 4 year olds have teeth too. By her standards this couldn't have happened. It can so if she'll eat half grapes more power to you and your daycare provider should listen to your requests. Keep looking. This is only the first of probably many things you will disagree about if she is more willing to do things her way than yours.

ehem- I cut my grapes for my just turned 2 year old (last Friday was his birthday) and sometimes (if they are large enough) even for my 3.5 year old. They can EASILY be inhaled or coughed and lodged, blocking the airway. I would demand the grapes be cut (and anything like them) or find another daycare. Sorry....that is my opinion.

I used to cut them also. They are a big choking hazard. I cut them when my nephews are over and they are almost 2.

My daughter is 3 and I am STILL cutting up grapes (except for really small ones). Call me paranoid, but that is one of my biggest fears. I figure it can't hurt, right?

Follow your gut - do not use this woman for day care. Who knows what else she thinks is "no big deal"?

My pediatrician has a big sign up in his office that says "NO NO NO...whole grapes, carrot slices, m and ms (and a few other items) before age 3, meaning that they pose a choking hazard to children under that age. Basically any food item that by its texture, shape or size can block a child's windpipe. You are not overreacting! You don't want to take a chance, especially with something she is eating when you're not around to supervise.

She is young, she still needs them cut.

I'm with you on this one. I still cut up my sons (14 months old) grapes - into quarters sometimes. I do not with my daughter (3) but was thinking about this last night because she was eating the holiday grapes and they are HUGE and I was wondering if I should cut them up!

I'd steer clear of her and look elsewhere! If she's doing this, think of what else she's doing (not purposely) but against your wishes or something she thinks is okay.

My son is in daycare and they cut his grapes in half... He's 2.5yrs old.

Not crazy.

Absolutely can small children choke on whole grapes! I cut them in half for my daughter until she was about 2.5. obsessive - maybe. But it takes 5 minutes and I won't have to worry about it.

I'd first be concerned because the lady taking care of your daughter is ignoring your wishes. If it starts with cutting grapes where's it going to end?

I always cut my sons grapes - IF they are the Big ones, i cut them in 4's. I do it at home and pack his bag. I know the daycare wouldnt/ dont have the time to do so. IF this is the first experience you've had w/ this woman whom you may entrust your daughter too, I would think Twice about her. GL

* my DS is 17 months old ~ with Many teeth, I'm just not willing to take that chance....

My son is almost 16 months and has 12 teeth and I still cut his grapes and tomatoes up.

I always cut grapes they are round if she chokes on one they are not going to dislodge very easily. I also cut hot dogs and am very strict about other choking hazard foods. My oldest choked when he was 3 and that is not something I want to go through so whatever I can do to help prevent it I do :)

No, you're not overreacting. Find another daycare.

When my youngest was 2, he almost choked on a tootsie roll. I let him eat it because it wasn't round, so I thought it would be harmless. It lodged in his throat, and while I uselessly panicked and freaked out, another woman managed to get it out (stuck her long nails in his throat which you're not supposed to do, but it worked) before he stopped breathing. That was a close call.

No grapes. And I wouldn't trust a woman with your child who's already dismissing your wishes.

I am a daycare provider in Allen and I do use grapes with my kiddo's. I cut them up even into quarters if they are really big I am also scared of choking. The provider should go with your request.

You are absolutely NOT over-reacting! Most daycare and preschools do not even allow grapes because of this reason. I would recommend finding a new child care provider immediately. You deserve peace of mind when it comes to the well being of your child.
And my youngest is 2.5 and I still cut his grapes in half! Taking precaution doesn't mean you're being overprotective. You're doing a great job, Mama!

In Oklahoma we have strict child care guidelines about what foods we can and cannot feed children of certain ages. Grapes are a choking hazard and I would not use this woman.

Too bad she's so nice and it would really work. I still cut some stuff like hot dogs etc...into Julienne strips and the kids are 3 and 7 now.

Here is a link to Oklahoma Child Care Licensing Regulations.

On page 27,
Section25: Care of Infants, Toddler, and 2 year olds.
Section B-number 8 states:
(8) Children younger than two years of age shall not be fed candies, gum, marshmallows, raw carrots, celery, raw peas, whole grapes, nuts, seeds, popcorn, or chips as these foods may cause choking. If served, peanut butter must be spread thinly. All other foods shall be cut up into small pieces no larger than ¼ inch cubes for infants and no larger than ½ inch cubes for toddlers.

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As for those of you saying a child care provider doesn't have time to cut up food...they better make time. They cannot serve food that is a choking hazard. Whether it is grapes, hot dogs, or anything in between. We used food choppers for our toddlers. They ate the same foods but it was cut into much smaller bits. The food chopper was only pumped a couple of times to cut the food but it was by far the quickest way to get food to the required 1/4" size.

I actually never cut my kids grapes, but if that's what you told the day care provider, then that's how she should do it.

i dont cut grapes, but you do, and thats your business, she should not have questioned it.

cutting the grapes couldnt possibly hurt, why argue?

i use to be an assistant orgainzer for a large daycare center. there are 4 things a child under 3 is not suppose to be served. raw carrots, popcorn, whole gapes and hot dogs. this is because of the chocken hazard