What foods can cause choking in children under three?

Wieners and hard candy pose a significant choking hazard for children under three years old due to their size, shape, and texture. Wieners, or hot dogs, can easily become lodged in a child's throat if not cut into smaller pieces. Their cylindrical shape and smooth surface make them particularly dangerous because they can slide down the throat easily without breaking apart.

Hard candy is also a risk, as it is small and can be difficult for young children to chew properly. The risk is compounded by the fact that hard candies can also shatter or break into smaller pieces, which can further increase the choking risk. In young children, whose chewing and swallowing reflexes are still developing, these foods can present life-threatening hazards if consumed without proper preparation or supervision.

In contrast, the other food items listed, such as sliced apples and bananas, soft bread and cheeses, and cooked pasta and rice, are generally safer when offered in appropriate sizes and consistencies for young children, as they can be mashed or broken down more easily, minimizing the choking risk.