Gagging! How do you hold your nerve?

[McFlickle]

Just that really. I am mostly feeding purées (increasingly lumpy) to 7mo with some finger food for her to try but I confess I don't always offer the finger food as the gagging makes my heart stop. But I suppose she needs the practice so I don't want to hold her back. What are others experiences/theories?

[CultureSucksDownWords]

I just completely ignored any gagging and carried on eating my own food (did BLW). Although it sounds bad, gagging is actually a good thing as it brings food forward again so that they don't choke. So they're best left to it, which also helps them learn how to move food around and manipulate it in their mouths.

I found that the amount of gagging decreased rapidly until it was really quite infrequent.

[hollie84]

If they're making noise, I sit on my hands and count to 10. Mine have both always got it out by 10! It is really hard though.

If they are silent then they are choking and you need to take action fast. Maybe a baby first aid course would make you feel more confident.

[McFlickle]

Yes Hollie I would like to do a first aid course. I will try and relax a bit more too

[bambinibop]

It is really scary at first but then you get used to what's normal and let them get on with it however I say that but i do still have to stop myself leaping up when my dd does it! It does get less frequent quite quickly though. I always have a sippy cup with water on her highchair too and offer her some afterwards that makes me feel better for some reason.

[Toohotforfishandchips]

Research the difference between gagging and choking. Teach yourself basic first aid from the internet if you can't do a course. Never leave them alone while eating - stay in same room. BLW is awesome and the gagging phase is very short if it does happen

[McFlickle]

Bambini I have the water their too :-)
Toohot great idea, thanks

[Toohotforfishandchips]

When they gag they kinda go red and then bring it back up with lots of noise generally - like being sick (sorry!). It's often because they eat too at once. Choking is silent and it's when food get stuck in wind pipe so they can't breathe - they quickly go pale and lips go blue. That needs an urgent response