On November 3rd, aboard Hainan Airlines flight HU7857, a passenger holding an infant suddenly experienced convulsions and turned pale. Flight attendant Zhang Huaying learned from the family that the child had exhibited abnormal symptoms after eating raisins. She immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver. Due to the child's small size, she knelt on the floor to administer the rescue.Ultimately, through the combined efforts of the cabin crew and compassionate passengers, the child expelled the recently consumed milk and raisins.
Just imagining the situation makes one's palms sweat—it was truly perilous. Given the child's young age, utmost caution is required when feeding them. Generally, raisins are not recommended for young children. Some may wonder why this is the case. Let's explore the reasons together.
Why are raisins not recommended for young children?
The concern isn't with raisins themselves, but rather that young children haven't fully developed the ability to chew food properly. If a child swallows a raisin whole and it lodges in the airway, it can cause breathing difficulties or even choking. Therefore, raisins are generally not recommended for children under 5 years old.If parents insist on giving raisins, children must be supervised to ensure they chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Beyond raisins, the following foods are best avoided by young children. If consumed, they must be chewed thoroughly under adult supervision—never allow children to eat these alone.
Foods that pose a choking hazard
Jelly/Gooey Sweets
Many children enjoy jelly, but extra caution is needed during consumption. Sucking on it with force may cause it to get stuck in the throat, leading to suffocation or even life-threatening situations. Additionally, due to its malleable texture, once inhaled into the airway, it is difficult to remove.
Gummy Candies
Gummy candies are tough to chew, challenging even for adults, let alone children. Children may not chew them thoroughly enough, potentially blocking their airway. It's best to avoid giving them to children until they are older.
Rice Cakes
Highly sticky foods like rice cakes and glutinous rice balls can easily stick to the back of a child's throat. If the child can neither swallow nor expel it, this creates a serious choking hazard.
Nuts
Nuts have a hard texture that is difficult for children to chew thoroughly.Some children may swallow them whole to avoid the trouble of chewing. If accidentally inhaled into the windpipe, they can cause suffocation. Fish with Many Bones Fish is nutritious and beneficial for children's growth. However, it is not recommended to give children fish with many bones, as they can easily cause choking and may also injure the esophagus or mouth.