Parenting Tips for Your 21-22 Month Old Toddler
By now, your toddler has some, but not all her baby teeth. She probably will not have all 20 baby teeth until she is about 2 to 2 ½ years old. Your child doesn’t have enough teeth to chew well. She might swallow large pieces of food that could choke her.
Choking is a real danger for toddlers. Grind meat and cut all food into small bite-size pieces. The foods toddlers choke on most often are hot dogs, candy, nuts, and grapes. Hot dogs aren’t a very nutritious food. If you do give them, cut them in quarter circles. Never cut them into full circles as they can get stuck in your child’s throat.
Cut grapes in quarter sections and break nuts into small bits. Don’t give your toddler candy very often. When you do, be sure it is in small pieces that can’t possibly get stuck in your child’s throat.
Other foods that sometimes cause choking are popcorn, chewing gum, and lollipops. Since these foods aren’t very nutritious, don’t give them to your toddler.
If your child starts to choke on something, pick her up and lay her chest down across your lap. Then tap on her back to get the food out. Don’t pound or slap your child too hard, you can break your toddler’s ribs.
While you are doing this, have someone call the emergency number (911 in many areas) just in case she continues to choke.
