Hey muma,
As our babies grow into toddlers, new questions pop up — and one of the most common is:
“Can I relax a bit with food sizes now?”
If your toddler is around 16 months old, here’s the good news:
👉 they can chew,
👉 they are learning fast,
but ⚠️ food size and shape still matter a lot for safety.
This post is here to guide you with practical, calm, no-panic information — the kind I wish I had when Ollie reached this stage.
🦷 What chewing looks like at 16 months
At this age, most toddlers:
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Chew well using their gums and (often) emerging molars
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Can bite and tear soft foods
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Are still learning to coordinate chewing and swallowing
In other words:
✨ You don’t need to mash everything anymore
⚠️ But how food is cut is still very important
📏 The golden rule for safe food cuts
A simple guideline that works well:
✔️ Small pieces (around 1 cm / ½ inch)
✔️ Thin strips (finger-shaped pieces)
✔️ Textures that can be squashed easily between your fingers
💡 If food slips quickly into the mouth, your toddler should still be able to crush it with their gums.
🚨 Foods that need extra care
Some foods remain high choking risks until around age 4, especially those that are hard, round, or slippery.
How to offer them more safely:
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Grapes & cherry tomatoes: always cut lengthwise into quarters
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Raw apple & carrot: grated or cooked
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Nuts & peanuts: only crushed, ground, or as nut butter
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Popcorn & hard lollies: best avoided at this age
👉 It’s not about fear — it’s about adapting foods until chewing skills fully mature.
🍌 Toddler-friendly foods at this stage
These are usually easier and safer for 16-month-olds:
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Banana, avocado, ripe mango
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Shredded chicken or meat
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Rice, small pasta, couscous
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Scrambled eggs or omelette strips
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Soft cooked vegetables (potato, pumpkin, broccoli)
😮💨 Gagging vs choking (this reassures many parents)
You may notice:
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Coughing
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Gagging sounds
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Tongue sticking out
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Big dramatic faces
This is gagging — a normal protective reflex and part of learning to eat.
🚨 True choking is silent.
That’s why staying calm and observing (instead of panicking) helps your child learn safely.
🪑 Posture matters too
Safety isn’t just about food:
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Toddler seated upright at 90°
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Feet supported if possible
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No eating while walking, playing, or lying down
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Fewer distractions, more focus
💛 In summary
✔️ Yes, food still needs to be cut thoughtfully
✔️ No, you don’t need to fear every meal
✔️ Knowledge + confidence = calmer mealtimes
If you’re reading this, you’re already doing an amazing job.
An attentive parent makes all the difference.
With love,
Renata
Mum to Ollie & Founder of Baby Ollie Store 🤍