16 January 2023 , 10:57
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A mum has been warned the 'lazy' dinner she prepared for her child could have put the youngster at risk. The devoted parent was looking to create a no-fuss meal and proudly shared a snap of the dinner to Facebook.
But fellow mums were quick to point out a hidden danger all parents should be aware of - and some people feared the meal could prove deadly. Specifically, many were worried about the mum's preparation after she served up a selection of leftovers and fruit.
"So so lazy," the mum wrote when she captioned her photo of the meal. "Microwave mini corn dogs, leftover mac and cheese, Greek yoghurt with whip and sprinkles, grapes, oranges. Stay lazy mamas."
The mum shared a photo of the 'lazy' dinner (Facebook)However, people feared she had missed a crucial safety step because she had not cut up her child's grapes, as The Sun reports.
"I promise I'm not trying to be mean in any way but please cut your children's grapes..." read one reply. A second person warned: "My daughter's best friend lost her five-year-old brother by choking on a grape." Meanwhile, another added: "I even choked as an adult once. It's so easy to do."
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In response, the mum replied: "Thanks for the reminder. I usually do. It's just been a day. My youngest is six they just still love the divided plates."
"Food is the most common thing for babies and toddlers to choke on," according to the NHS website. It also explains the importance of taking care that young children do not choke on small objects.
As such, parents should always cut solid food into small pieces when feeding babies. "Babies can choke on something as small as a grape (these should be cut lengthways)," according to the recommendation.
Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics' advice reads: "Do not give children younger than 4 any round, firm foods unless they have been cut into very small pieces. Cut hot dogs lengthwise and cut grapes into quarters. This changes the dangerous round shape that can block a young child's throat."
While paediatricians agree small children's food should be cut up, few experts will specify when this advice stops being necessary, given choking remains a hazard into adulthood.
Safety advice includes supervising children when they are eating and not letting them run, play or lie down while eating.