What Age For Popcorn?

[MrsMiggins]

I always thought popcorn was a food that should be avoided for young kids (not sure exactly why - choking hazard perhaps??) but I've noticed a lot of my friends with kids around the same age as DD are giving it to their kids as a snack.

We have a popcorn maker that I know DD would just LOVE having a go at and I'm pretty sure at 2.5 she would be OK with popcorn. She always sits still & takes little tiny bites of things when she's eating (frustrating when she's eating lunch & you need to go out somewhere!! :laughing:)

DS maybe a bit if a problem though. It wouldn't really be possible to have it around & not let him have some & he is a bit of a "wolfer" with his food. He can't just have one piece of something, it has to be a whole handful - and that entire handful must all be shovelled into the mouth at once!

Would popcorn be a bit dangerous for him at 14.5/15 months, do you think?

[biscotti]

Hi Mrs M :wave:

Just passing through, but my 21 mth old has popcorn (the older two have it so she always scores a few pieces), not sure about 14/15 mths though, under very very close supervision I would think :yes:

[SassyMummy]

I think the first time DD had some was when Mum had given it to her (not knowing the recommendations, as they weren't around when she had me)... sometime before she was 18 months.

She managed fine - was never a big issue... but then, nothing she's eaten has ever been an issue. She's a wolfer too - she'll shove a whole quarter-sandwich into her mouth and somehow manage to chew and swallow...:laughing:

[Dabneygirl]

Both my kids had popcorn very early on. Before they were 12 months old, always under close supervision of course, but they are always near me anyway, whether they are eating or not.

Neither of them ever had a problem with it. I think it depends on the individual child to some degree. My youngest child has it all the time, he is 2. He isn’t allowed to have it at daycare, but he has been eating it at home for ages!

[purtig]

My 2 both love it and it's great for an afternoon snack. DS2 has choked once, about a month ago when he was 16 months. I was just about ready to turn him upside down to get it out when he spewed all over me and got it out that way! I only give it to them if I'm going to be in the room so I think it's fine, and it's fun for them too.

[punkbaby]

I think it really depends on the child as at certain ages some can chew better and can handle different foods. Mine would have been around the age of two, mind you my 5 year old has choked on it, i have choked on it. I only allow popcorn though for the middle two if they are sitting down, not if they are running around the yard etc as they are bound to choke :) (well not choke but they will get excited and it will go down the wrong way)

[Fuchsia!]

DS has popcorn and he is 14mths and he hasn't had a problem. I didn't even know they weren't suppose to have it!! Opps!

[tootsy]

im 22 and i still get popcorn stuck in my throat on the occasion :o the type that shoots to ya throat and ya dont even know how it happened? lol

[SilverStarfish]

Sarah looooves popcorn!! I was a bit worried about her choking on it too, but she's been fine. She only ever has it when an adult is with her.

She even goes and gets the popcorn maker off the shelf and brings it to me when she wants some! :chef: It's a great snack too - high in fibre, low in everything else... well, until you put the butter and salt on :o

[my_lot]

I picked ds (then 4yrs old) up from childcare one day and he was eating it. I was quite surprised. I think he might have had it at the movies once before that, i cant remember. I wasnt too worried at 4 but i wouldnt give it under 2yrs old :no:

[~mia&ryan~]

DD first had popcorn when she was 15 or 16 months old (her older cousins were having some!) she loved it and loves it now as a snack.

[little bean]

The book I've been reading says to wait until 4 or 5 because it's a choking hazard (perhaps because it's very light and can be inhaled?)

[eastofeden]

Paranoid mumma here, my 3 year old still hasn't had popcorn! I'm so afraid of choking that I have been avoiding it. I'm still avoiding raw carrot and celery- I really really have a fear of one of my little ones choking.

[LittleButton]

Paranoid mumma here, my 3 year old still hasn't had popcorn! I'm so afraid of choking that I have been avoiding it. I'm still avoiding raw carrot and celery- I really really have a fear of one of my little ones choking.

This is me!!! So scared too try!!!

[LittleMissyMoo]

Good question! I saw a toddler eating a bag of popcorn at the park and wondered the same thing.

I think I might try it with DD :D