Agreeing with this, Dr R Selvan says, “Young children have smaller airways and less developed chewing and swallowing abilities. This makes them susceptible to choking.”
Health professionals are urging parents and caregivers to be vigilant about the foods they offer to young children and what is kept within their reach.
While doctors insist that age 0-3 is the most dangerous period with a higher risk of choking on certain foods, they also add that choking can happen in older children as well.
“Several times, force feeding and hurried eating can also end up in aspiration. Children can even choke while breastfeeding and parents need to be aware of this,” doctors say.
She advocates for parents and caregivers educating themselves on first aid and choking prevention techniques. If you suspect your baby of choking, first observe.
But if the baby is not crying, not coughing, it means that the foreign body is stuck in the wind pipe. And if the baby doesn’t get air into their lungs, it can lead to death.