7mo choking badly

[MrsKoala]

I had to start weaning ds at 4mo. He had terrible reflux and wouldn't drink milk. I was gutted as really wanted to do blw.

So, he has had lots of smooth purees and now i'm trying to get it chunkier. But in the last week he has choked 4 times. So much so we have had to quickly unclip him from the chair and bend him forward and hit his back a few times till he coughs up the bit of food then vomits. It has been terrifying.

A couple of the times have been while sucking on cucumber or banana the other 2 have been when being fed just slightly chunkier pureed dinner.

I think one of the problems is he (has had teeth since 5mo so actually) bites off a chunk of food too big and he doesn't chew much.

We are off on holiday with him in a week and i was hoping i could give him food when away (because he wont drink milk anymore so really needs food for his nutrients).

He is constipated too.

Weaning is a nightmare and i'm now terrified of him choking. On top of this my whizzy blender has packed up and i was hoping just to be able to mash, but it looks like i will need to buy another :(

So how can i get him used to lumps without choking?

[CornishYarg]

Is he definitely choking or just gagging? Choking is silent so if he's making some sort of noise like coughing or spluttering, he's gagging which is very common.

[RunningAgain]

Was also going to ask whether it was choking or gagging. Gagging is a good thing, because it shows that the baby's gag reflex is working, eg the safety mechanism that usually prevents choking.

[MrsKoala]

no it's silent choking. not breathing. going red. eyes bulging. really frightening. he does the gagging too but i can handle that - as you say that's normal. One of my friends is a nurse at great ormond street and she saw it and had to help once. afterwards he gasps for air. he has started screaming and going rigid now when i try to put him in his high chair. which makes me sad because he used to love his food :(

[RunningAgain]

How frightening! Sorry in that case I have no advice

[MrsKoala]

yes - on one occasion dh and i couldn't get the high chair unclipped and we had to tip the whole thing forward and shake it. i am trying to keep my happy face on when i feed him but i am finding it really hard now. And i am reluctant to leave him with anyone in case they give him something lumpy. But i also know he has to get used to lumpier food. i just don't know what to do. HV just says leave it a week and try again. but it just happens again and again :(

[RunningAgain]

I'm sure someone with some experience will come along soon

[MrsKoala]

Thanks :)

[Pancakeflipper]

Speak to your HV or a Dr.

My DS2 was awful at weaning - choked/vomited nearly every meal. I think he has some sort of reflux issue ( he is now 4) cos if he eats or drinks too quickly he is sick.

He was a projectile vomiting type baby.

We ended up pureeing food to slop. Reduced my stress levels and. We would try lumpier. Often it meant choking and disaster. But it improved. By the time he was nearly 2 he could handle things like cottage pie and chicken casseroles, cereals, toast etc .

Now he's fine with food. It just took him longer than the average child to get there. Though he is dairy-free ( not connected to choking).

[MrsKoala]

Thanks. HV just says he's being a pain because he's a 'lazy boy' and to leave it a while and then persevere.

I will keep to puree i think for a while and see the dr - altho they are shockingly shite too.