Mum was worried baby's food was not pureed - inquest
A mother whose baby died after choking at a nursery in Kent was concerned that his food was not being pureed by staff, an inquest has heard.
Oliver Steeper died aged nine months, six days after he choked at Jelly Beans day nursery in Ashford on 23 September, 2021.
Zoe Steeper said she found chunks of pineapple in her son’s vomit when he was violently sick on 16 September.
Mrs Steeper was asked at the inquest if anyone at the nursery had sought her permission to start trying Oliver on non-pureed food. She said no.
She was also asked if Oliver had any previous history of choking. Her response again was no.
The inquest heard how Mrs Steeper considered speaking with staff at the nursery after finding the pineapple chunks in her son’s vomit, but decided not to because she “didn’t want to rock the boat”.
Oliver then spent a brief period off nursery with tonsillitis.
Mrs Steeper said she took Oliver to Jelly Beans on 23 September, but received a phone call from the nursery at about 11.30 BST saying her son had choked on his lunch and was with paramedics.
“[The paramedic] was running out with Oli in his arms doing chest compressions. I abandoned my car and ran," she said.
Oliver was taken to the William Harvey Hospital, in Willesborough. He was then transferred to Evelina Children’s Hospital in London, where he died.
The inquest in Maidstone continues.
