A Full List of Choking Hazards for Babies (Food + Non-Food)

As a mom and pediatric therapist, I totally get how hard it is to keep track of what foods are choking hazards and which aren’t. Every time we introduce a new food, it can feel like we’re asking, “Wait… is this safe?”

I don’t want you to feel confused or overwhelmed. So I put together this complete, no-fluff list of choking hazards to help you feel more confident and clear when it’s time to feed your baby.👇
All of these are backed by reputable sources, which you’ll find at the bottom of this post.

Choking Hazard Foods for Babies

Choking is one of the leading causes of injury in babies under 1. That’s why it’s so important to be informed and prepared — not panicked.

Here’s a list of common food choking hazards you’ll want to avoid or modify when serving babies, especially between 6–18 months:

• Whole nuts

• Nut shells

• Whole seeds (unsoaked or unmilled, including dry chia seeds)

• Marshmallows

• Hot dogs / sausage (unless sliced lengthwise and chopped into tiny pieces)

• Raw veggies (like carrot sticks, celery — must be steamed or grated)

• Raw fruits (like apples — serve steamed, grated, or very thinly sliced)

• Spoonfuls of peanut butter or nut butters (can stick to roof of mouth or throat)

• Whole grapes or whole grape tomatoes (cut lengthwise into quarters)

• Whole pieces of canned fruit

• Dried fruits or veggies (raisins, dried apricots, etc. — very sticky and chewy)

• Large, tough chunks of meat (especially steak or chicken breast)

• String cheese or large chunks of cheese

• Whole beans (especially if not rinsed and softened)

• Cookies or crackers that don’t dissolve easily

• Chips, pretzels, or popcorn

• Hard candy

• Chewy fruit snacks and gum

• Bread (can form a sticky ball that’s hard to swallow)

• Granola bars (especially hard or chewy ones)

• Shellfish like shrimp (can be rubbery and hard to chew)

• Olives or any small, round, slippery foods

How to Safely Prepare Foods for Babies (6–12 months)

Let’s talk about safe food prep, because it really is everything when it comes to choking prevention.

Here are some practical tips to help you feel more confident:

✅ Think: Mashable, Grabbable, and Safe

• Offer foods in long strips (like avocado slices, roasted sweet potato fries, banana spears) that your baby can grip with their whole hand.

• Choose textures that can be easily squished between your fingers. If you can squish it, they can usually gum it.

• For anything small and round (grapes, blueberries, cherry tomatoes), always cut them lengthwise into quarters.

✅ Be careful with sticky textures

• Foods like nut butter, bananas, and bread can easily become sticky and hard to manage in a baby’s mouth.

• Spread nut butter very thinly on toast or mix into other foods like yogurt or oats.

• Serve bananas in small finger-sized strips, or roll them in baby cereal to reduce slipperiness.

✅ Chia and seeds:

• Chia seeds can be great — if prepared right. Always soak chia seeds in water, milk, or yogurt for 15+ minutes before serving so they become soft and gel-like.

• Don’t serve dry or unsoaked seeds to babies.

• You can also serve these seeds milled. This is a great option made by Tiny Sprouts.

✅ Let your baby lead:

Babies are less likely to choke when they’re in control of their eating. Place soft, safe foods on their tray and let them self-feed at their own pace — no pressure, no rushing.

Non-Food Choking Hazards to Watch For

Now let’s talk about the stuff not on their plate that can still pose a serious danger.

Babies explore the world with their mouths — and tiny objects can easily become choking hazards.

Common non-food items that are dangerous:

• Coins

• Buttons

• Batteries (especially button batteries — which can also cause internal burns)

• Beads or jewelry

• Small toy parts (think: doll shoes, LEGO bricks, puzzle pieces)

• Balloons (inflated or popped — huge risk)

• Pen caps

• Hair ties or rubber bands

• Rocks, sand, or pebbles

• Bottle caps

• Magnets (especially high-powered ones — extremely dangerous)

• Stickers

• Pieces of plastic or food packaging

• Small screws, nails, or tacks

Even things that don’t look dangerous can be risky in the mouth — especially if your baby is crawling around where older kids are playing.

💡 Pro tip:

Do a “baby-level sweep” of your home — get down on your hands and knees and check what’s within reach. You’ll be surprised what you find under furniture or inside toy bins!

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect, Just Prepared

Choking hazards can feel scary — but with the right info and a few simple strategies, you can reduce the risk dramatically while still supporting your baby’s independence.

Let your baby lead. Stay close. Prep smart. And if something doesn’t feel safe, trust that gut instinct.

The more confident you feel, the more your baby will pick up on that and feel calm and safe, too. You’ve got this — and I’m always here cheering you on. Want 1:1 solids support? Book a free call with our solids experts!

Sources:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

• CDC – Choking Prevention for Children

• Healthy Children

• Solid Starts