By Kat Mason, Safe Sprouts Baby First Aid and Safety

When we think about food safety for little ones, most people jump straight to cutting grapes, banning popcorn, and avoiding marshmallows. And yes, what our kids eat matters. 

But as a paramedic and a parent, I’ve noticed we focus so much on what kids eat, and not nearly enough on how or where they’re eating. 

The way your child sits, focuses, and moves during mealtimes plays a huge role in keeping them safe. And I’ll be the first to admit: in my family, meals are rarely calm. Think flying forks, food protests, and the hangry Woolies checkout meltdowns.

So yes, keep cutting those grapes and serving age-appropriate foods. But also consider these five practical changes which can help make your mealtimes safer…and with a little luck, they might even make things less chaotic!

1. Sit down to eat 

It sounds obvious, but sitting down to eat is one of the most important ways to reduce choking risk. When kids are walking, climbing, or lying down while eating, their body isn’t set up to manage food safely. Posture shifts, breathing changes, and focus flies out the window. 

Sitting down, whether it’s in a high chair, on a picnic rug, or even on your lap, gives your child’s body the stability needed to chew and swallow properly. 

Will this stop food ending up on the floor? Not a chance. But sitting down does make eating safer and supervision easier.

2. Love the 90/90/90

Not all sitting is equal. If your child is slouched, twisting sideways, or has legs dangling in the air, their body works harder to manage food. 

The ideal set up? Think 90/90/90:

• 90 degrees at the hips
• 90 degrees at the knees
• 90 degrees at the ankles, with feet fully supported (use a footplate or improvise with a box).

This upright position helps their tongue and jaw move more freely, making it easier to chew and swallow. This is especially important for babies and toddlers who are still mastering these skills. When kids are reclined, even slightly (like in a pram or car seat), gravity pulls the tongue and food toward the back of the mouth. This makes it harder to control the food, swallow properly, or gag and spit it out if needed. 

Plus, a supported seat isn’t just safer, it’s also more comfortable. And when they’re supported and comfy, you just might get to finish your own meal too!

3. Buckle up, baby!

The highchair’s five-point harness is your BFF. Yes, parents often ask, “What if my child chokes and I can’t get to them in time because they’re buckled up?” Well, the truth is, falls from high chairs are far more common than choking, and in the event of an emergency, unclipping a harness takes only seconds.

The harness doesn’t just stop mid-meal escape attempts. It also supports babies who are just starting solids by keeping them upright and preventing them from slumping forward. This kind of stability puts their body in a safer position for eating, and allows them to focus on their chewing and swallowing skills.

4. Supervision matters

Choking is usually silent, which is why supervision really does matter. But supervision isn’t just about emergencies, because sitting with your kids at mealtimes is also one of the best ways they learn how to eat safely. Little ones watch everything: how you sit, how you chew, and how you handle the food they’re still figuring out.

While sitting with your child for meals helps you notice if something seems off, it also builds connection and turns mealtimes into memories shared…even if the food still ends up on the floor!

5. The 3 D’s: Distressed, dozy, and distracted

I know this moment all too well: the toddler’s melting down, the baby’s squawking, and you just want someone, anyone, to eat something so the chaos will stop! But safe eating takes focus. When a child is crying, half-asleep, slumped in a pram, or zoned out with a screen, their body isn’t primed to chew and swallow properly.

A little fussiness is one thing, but if you’re working harder than they are to get food in, it might be worth taking a breath and waiting for the reset. Eating is safest when everyone’s feeling calm, focused, and connected. 

Mealtimes with little ones are rarely peaceful. There’s mess, protest, flinging, and the occasional emotional breakdown…and that’s just the grown-ups. But a few small tweaks to how your child eats can make a big difference to their safety.

More information: safesprouts.com.au

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