Kids gag. It's how they learn to move food around in their mouths and it's not choking. It's normal. DD has gagged to the point of puking, which is disgusting, but not a problem. That was on a piece of banana that was a bit too big for her liking.
Gagging is normal, but if it's leading to puking, I would say he is not ready.
Also, I wouldn't give him small pieces of anything. I would give him large items that don't break apart easily, or only when they are good and soggy and not choking fodder. We started with 1/4 of a bagel, a piece of toast, frozen waffles, etc. They don't break apart until soggy and then it's like swallowing a puree.
I hated this part of feeding for the same reason. I was constantly panicked. But the others are right, gagging is not the same as choking. Still, if purées make you more comfortable, do purées for a bit. We did.
DS gagged with BLW too, and still does, on occasion. If you're a bit nervous about it still, start with foods that are easily mushed with gums/tongue if they get a piece into their mouth. Avocado is a good one, just slice off a chunk with the skin still on (so it has grip), a really cooked piece of broccoli, carrot, peas, canned green beans, very ripe pear.
We started B with really soft solids, like small pieces of mango, ripe banana, avocado, cucumber with no skin, fruits and veggies that were steamed until very soft. He had trouble with anything that he couldn't work down to mush. I agree that gagging is normal, we've had some scary moments with B, but when we found he struggled with a food, we'd back off to something softer, smaller bits, etc.
Going to purees isn't going to hurt anything, B did a combination of some thicker purees and chunks of food the first month or so. It's whatever works for you guys.
I'd start with really soft food, like a mushed up banana or overcooked veggies. DD also gagged on watermelon the first time.. I tested before giving food to DD by trying to roll it with my tongue first. Sweet potato is really good first food as well. But if you're nervous, you can always continue with puree and wait a bit longer.
If you read the BLW book, you'll learn that this is totally normal and is how they learn.
That doesn't mean it's not freaky, though. I'm pretty sure DH thought I was insane and was thisclose to putting the kibash on the whole thing because of the gagging.
Fortunately, it only lasted a couple of weeks and it's been pretty smooth sailing since then.
I could never do BLW. My first was a gagger with regular puree baby food. She is in kindergarten now and just last week nearly choked on a peach. I about had a heart attack and when I went to my phone to call 911 my iPhone was downloading new software. No shit. It was the most helpless feeling in the world to know that you are completely alone when something like this happens. I would follow your gut and do what's right for you and your baby, BLW or not. If you have not taken a class on infant CPR/heimlich I would encourage you to do so. I think no one ever talks about the baby food stage enough. It's scary and it's important to arm yourself with all the knowledge you can.
Will he still gag/cough when he starts "real" food later on if we just do purée now?
I don't think so. DD1 did purees for a long time, until around a year, and didn't have any gagging issues once we did transition to table food. She just wasn't interested in BLW.
Post by cricketwife on Jul 24, 2014 13:58:00 GMT -5
mekiakoo, I hope this doesn't sound in any way disrespectful to you, but are able to easily tell the difference between when he's gagging and if he were actually choking? For me, I hear him gag and I automatically know he's fine because he's making noise, so he still has air flowing and that puts me at ease. I'm wondering if that's contributing to your anxiety?
We're doing BLW and so far we really like it. There is some gagging and he did "puke" some chicken up but it was more like there was a bit of chicken in his spit up and he spits up all.the.time so NBD. But I wouldn't hesitate to do purees instead if you're more comfortable with it. In fact, I think other than on this board, it's definitely the norm, and has been for decades. I mean, seriously, you should see what it's like every time I try to explain BLW to my mom!
Bottom line, you should do what you're comfortable with and E will learn how to chew/eat eventually, one way or another. I think the most important thing is that meal times be happy and relaxed for the whole family
If it's not working for you, give it up. He will figure out how to eat real food eventually (everyone does!).
Anyway, didn't mean to single you out, I just get weirded out by the BLW "pressure" on this board.
I agree with this. Although like with everything parenting aspect on the internet, the end all be all, the only way to do it is the strict to the letter way camp is the most forthcoming about it.
I just have to remember that. I did BLW with DD before BLW was really much of a thing. Mainly because child wouldn't touch a puree but loved regular food from the start, so I rolled with it. She is a good eater and my life got easier. I did not know it was a legit thing until I made my way over here. Now with DS I do the same but he gets a lot of purees because he's different and not as "good" at food as she was.
It never has to be an all or nothing. Nor does anyone have to do something because it's the "in thing" or feel bad about it because they chose not to.
In theory, BLW sounds awesome and "easy". But it's so scary. And I read the book too.
I'm okay with giving him whole soft fruit to gum on though, he loves that. I just find myself holding my breath whenever he picks up a food and puts them into his mouth. I cross my fingers and hope that he doesn't bite a chunk off.
I just want to make sure I'm not doing him a disservice by sticking to purées. He just seems SO interested in our food and wants them.
You could stick to tougher food that he can't break off yet. Like we gave DS strips of mango (so you really have to bite in to it in order to break it off). Or like a pork chop lol. We also did stuff like rice and peas and little stuff that he wasn't going to choke on.
cricketwife, I'm not really sure if I'm able to tell the difference between choking and gagging. Is the only difference the sound? I have hearing aids now and I could learn to listen for something.
When they cough, does that mean air is still flowing and that he's fine? Often when he just coughs for a short time, I'm fine, but sometimes his face turns red and he seems to cough even harder and harder it freaks me out. With the watermelon last night, he kept his mouth open the entire time. I usually watch his face for signs that he's choking- eyes wide, trying to breathe, no coughing, or turning blue.
Can you tell me what I should be watching out for?
It sounds like you are able to make the distinction (and honestly I need a refresher infant CPR course) but if they're coughing, they still are getting air and they are dealing with the food or whatever obstruction. It's if they aren't coughing/speaking that they are actually choking and need intervention. Yes, wide eyes, turning blue and no coughing would be choking (and terrifying).
Someone else probably knows more about this and could chime in.
BLW is not a new 'thing'. It has been around a long time. But there is a huge difference between choking and gagging and kids will gag with BLWing. Bigger pieces are better than smaller ones, so they can gnaw on them. They don't need to be actually swallowing the food yet, it's all practice. I highly recommend reading the BLWing book, it is hugely helpful and reassuring. My dd likely didn't ingest any food until like 9 months, and we started at 6. It takes a while for them to get it. We had lots of gagging and even some vomiting.
I never really got into the BLWing approach much - I mostly did purees for the first couple of months, although I also put fruits in one of those mesh feeder bags, which is a nice way to expose them to new foods without worrying about the gagging aspect. When I got more adventurous with pieces of food at...I don't even remember exactly when...maybe 7-9 mths, there was not much gagging. So, I do think you may get less gagging if you try again in a couple months (I know that happened with a few foods I introduced early, then stopped and re-tried later).
Post by winecheery on Jul 24, 2014 16:28:58 GMT -5
I just wanted to say that I did purees and then gradually transitioned to table foods, and so far food has been a success for our family. DD is great with food. She has days or moments when she turns her nose up at something, but mostly, she is curious about food, and likes to try new things.
I think the purees are a gentle introduction to eating something that is not an entirely liquid diet, and frankly, BLW was just not for me. I didn't like the idea of "wasting" food for baby to gnaw on and then not necessarily ingest, and also, after hearing from some friends, the mess of it. This was based on a person who felt BLW was successful but it annoyed her, and another who hated it and switched to purees. So, that's where my judgement of it came from, but to each his own, you know?
Anyways, if it's really freaking you out, don't do it. IMO food is fun, and supposed to be an enjoyable part of everyday life. Not a struggle or a battle. That's my puppies and rainbows approach anyways lol GL mekia whatever you decide!
Will he still gag/cough when he starts "real" food later on if we just do purée now?
Not necessarily, their tongue is a muscle and they are making it stronger every day they use it. My SLP recommended starting with purées and then just making them chunkier. We did it for a month or two and then started BLW. Just because it's the new "thing" doesn't mean you have to do it if you are uncomfortable with it.
DS gagged a lot less when we started chunks the second time.
This is what we did too-went from thin purees (sweet potato mixed with BM or water) to thicker purees (same but with less BM/water) to fork mashed. From there the transition to soft chunks, shredded meats and cheeses, etc was pretty uneventful. Don't get me wrong there's been plenty of gagging...but I just tried to stay calm because I know if I get upset then so will he. As he got more used to the increased texture, the gagging decreased significantly.