The Ministry of Health announced on Apr. 15 measures to help parents and caregivers prevent choking incidents in babies and young children. The recommendations are aimed at reducing emergencies both at home and in public spaces.
Choking can occur unexpectedly, especially among infants starting to eat solid foods. Dr. Elmer Zapata Yarlequé, a pediatrician at the National Hospital Cayetano Heredia, said that babies are most vulnerable when they begin eating new foods and can even choke on liquids. Children up to three years old are also at risk from large pieces of sausage, nuts, peanuts, or popcorn.
“The most common mistake is trying to remove the object with your finger; by instinctively putting your hand into the mouth, you may push it further down. The correct action is to place the child over your thigh and give firm blows on their back,” said Zapata Yarlequé.
He also explained that small objects such as balloons or tiny toy parts can cause choking hazards. After expelling a foreign object, he recommended checking if it has been completely removed: “We must observe the color of the lips and face; if we see bluish lips or face, we must rush immediately to emergency services,” he said.
To reduce risks, authorities recommend preparing food with appropriate textures for children’s ages, supervising meals closely without leaving children alone while eating, serving food in small pieces while avoiding large grapes or hard candies, being cautious with objects like balloons or small toys such as dice or building blocks, and only giving whole nuts or dried fruits after age four.
The Ministry urges families to remain vigilant about prevention measures for young children’s safety and advises seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest health center during an emergency.
