12/09/2025
Holiday Safety: Swallowing Tips for Every Age 🎄Holiday parties mean delicious food, but safety always comes first!
As your friendly neighborhood Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), we’re sharing key tips to keep your loved ones safe at the holiday table.
If you are a caregiver to someone with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), follow these 3 quick tips:
🍴Small Bites: Use a teaspoon to manage portion size and encourage a slow pace.
🪑 Stay Upright: Ensure your loved one sits up straight during the meal and for 30 minutes afterward.
‼️ Know the Signs: Watch for frequent coughing, throat clearing, or a gurgly voice—these mean it’s time to stop and check in with their SLP.
👉 Caregiver Tip: Worried about safe eating? Contact us for a free consultation on dysphagia management.
👶Our little guests need careful preparation for round foods!
🍇The Grape Rule: Cut grapes, cherry tomatoes, and other round foods into halves or quarters until your child is at least 5 years old.
🤏 How to Pass the "Squish Test": To check if a new food is safe for your baby/toddler's gums, pinch it between your pointer finger and thumb. If it squishes easily into a mash, it's safe! If it doesn't, cook it softer or cut it smaller.
Stay safe, warm, and enjoy your holiday season! ☃️