Infant Nutrition & Feeding Practices

Prepare Food to Avoid Choking

It helps to start with food that is very smooth in texture, such as mashed, pureed, strained food. Different textures and thicker foods can be introduced as the child develops. Remember to only provide foods that are developmentally appropriate for the child you are feeding. Different foods can be choking hazards for infants. Expect a child to spit up, cough, or gag when foods other than breast milk or formula are first introduced.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a helpful chart of foods that are choking hazards. Download and review the information on Choking Hazards. You will also find a poster to print as a quick reference for anyone in your program who prepares food for children. Consider sharing the information with families, as well.

Prepare the Environment for Safe and Healthy Eating

The environment can set the tone for healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. Consider each of these safe practices that apply to children and adults of all ages:

Sit up while eating. Avoid lying down, walking, or crawling for infants.
Seat children in a safe high chair or other safe setting.
Avoid eating in the car and strollers. Feeding infants in bouncers, rocking chairs, or other activity seating equipment are not to be used.
Keep snack and meal times calm. Eliminate distractions, disruptions, and rushing to eat.
Pay close attention to children at all times, especially while they eat.
Engage with children while they eat and respond to their cues (e.g., signals they are full).