Parents want their children to be safe.

When your baby or young child gags or chokes, it can be scary. Start your baby on solid foods only when they show signs of being ready. 

Babies and small children are still learning to chew food properly. They may try to swallow the food whole. Their small airways can easily be blocked. You can help reduce the risks of your child choking. You can do this by making food that is the size, texture, and portion that are best for your child. 

It is important to watch your young child while they are eating to help prevent choking. Talk to your health care provider for more information about how to prevent choking. If you are concerned your child is choking, call 911. 

Extended text for visually impaired 

Common foods that cause choking in children under age 4:

Extended text for visually impaired

SAVE And Print

Common foods that cause choking for children under age 4. 

Use the information below to learn more about how to keep your child from choking.

Make sure to do these things:

• Only start solid foods when your baby is showing all 5 signs they are ready to eat solids.
• Sit your child in an upright position when they are eating. 
• Always stay in the room to supervise when your child is eating. Even better, sit down and have a meal with your child. 
• Allow plenty of time for meals and snacks. 
• Remind your child to take small bites and offer small portions of food. 
• Model safe behavior for your child. Eat slowly. Take small bites. Chew completely before swallowing. 

Alert

* Avoid giving your child any foods they may choke on. You can learn more about possible food choking hazards from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Note: This link will open in a new tab.

Signs of Choking - Call 911

• Difficulty breathing, ribs, and chest are pulling inward.
• Weak coughing or coughing without being able to breathe.
• Inability to cry or make much sound.
• Loss of consciousness (non-responsive) if what is causing the baby to choke is not cleared.
• Reaching for face or grabbing at their throat (with other signs of choking).
• Soft or high pitched sounds while inhaling
• Skin turning blue (This may not happen for all babies of all races. It is important to look for other signs).

SOURCES:  
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service. (2019). "Common Foods That Cause Choking in Children Under Age 4." In Infant Nutrition and Feeding: A Guide for Use in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). (p. 122, Table 5.1).
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021, June 9). Choking - infant under 1 year: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000048.htm.