10 month old baby can't/ won't eat?

[DoodleDoo]

She's always had reflux but it was mostly silent so has also always managed to gain weight. We tried BLW for a start at 6 months (and have tried to re introduce many times since) but she without fail gags on the food and vomits the entire contents of her stomach back up. I fugured this was to do with the reflux, e.g. she still has a squishier tummy than usual.

So we moved onto traditional weaning, which went reasonably well. She still has not been able to handle anything with lumps in (despite many efforts to introduce textured food) but she would eat pretty much anything we blended, including lightly spiced or relatively strongly flavoured food. She's gained weight brilliantly.

But as of about a month ago, nearly everything is making her gag. As soon as she gags, even the slightest amount, she projectile vomits. Usually once this has happened she will eat afterwards without a problem. But now she won't even do that. She hasn't had a proper meal since Monday and is constantly tetchy. As soon as the spoon is to her lips (without swallowing a mouthful) she gags and throws up the contents of her stomach. It's gotten to the point she screams when we put her into her highchair as I think she just associates it with vomiting.

She drinks her milk fine but her nappies have become like newborn ones again. I'm so stressed, it's horrible to watch. I don't want her to lose weight or become weak. I've called my health visitor but they're not at work over the weekend. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Witchrose]

Regarding the gagging part, my son couldn't handle anything with lumps until he turned one. Now he's eating it all like a pro. So your daughter may also just have a sensitive reflux and need more time.

Have you tried plain yoghurt? That should be easy on her stomach.

Also, I know you said the health facility was closed over the weekend, but maybe there is a hotline number you can call if you are really worried and don't want to wait until Monday?

Good luck! Hope she feels better soon.

 

[DoodleDoo]

I'll give plain yoghurt a go!

Thank you. I'm not too worried about her imminent starvation. Milk has plenty of goodness and she is a little chubba. I just hate seeing her so averse to her food!

 

[noon_child]

Id try offering food somewhere that is NOT the high chair and although she can't handle lumpy food it might be worth giving her finger food to play with, squish, smell, throw, suck, without any pressure to eat it. If she knows it is her choice to bring something to her mouth she may not have that instant gag reaction. Try quite big pieces so that it is her choice to chew bits off or not, rather than small bits that once they are in she can't get them back out again.