All parents know about risk of choking from ingestion of foreign bodies in the form of small objects that children put in their mouths and accidentally swallow. Just imagining that our son may suffer from suffocation because the airways have been obstructed terrifies us.
But I am not sure that we are aware that according to pediatric specialists, between 60 and 80 percent of choking are caused by nuts (especially peanuts). From six months onwards we gradually introduce different foods into the diet of babies, and those that are potentially more allergens leave them for the end (in some cases a food in question can not be taken before three years, as is the case with nuts). They are very rich and have many beneficial properties, but Why take the risk if you have a lifetime ahead of you to take them!
However, many pediatricians warn that nuts should not be offered to children under six years of age, except if they are ground (and taking precautions to avoid the danger of allergy). Is a fairly unknown risk, to such an extent that younger children are seen eating pipes, whole nuts or popcorn (they have already caused some unfortunate accident with fatal outcome).
And, although older children can also choke, they control their body better, and react better in case a food tries to reach the trachea, in addition to having more force in the jaw, and so they chew more efficiently.
A choking can cause serious injury and even death, so it is not to be taken lightly
The Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics, clearly explains that parents 'The prohibition of giving children under five / six years old nuts must be imposed, as choking can lead to asphyxiation or lung injury (because of the latter from the oil distilled by these foods)'.
We parents are not always aware of what happens with our children, because it may happen that the child suffers a choking with a piece of peanut that goes to the bronchi, and even if this triggers the cough, we may not suspect it. That's why it's better to have nuts out of reach of very young children, and if we take them to the table during a meal, put a plate in front of them with a well crushed hand and a spoon to eat them.
But How to react in case it happens and we are present?, the best recommendation is to go to an emergency department (the persistent cough that appears suddenly while we eat can indicate a choking, the child's body tries to expel the object or food cause). And it's always good that parents let's know the resuscitation maneuvers, because sometimes we must assess whether to provide first aid while asking for help.
In this post we talked about acting in case of choking with a foreign body, and during this interview with two nurses, we were also advised to have notions of first aid.
40% of accidental deaths in children under one year old are due to choking, not exactly nuts, but it is a fact to consider. The health and integrity of children when they are young depends largely on our common sense.
