BLW - Worried about choking

[Rach27]

So Thomas (who is 8 days off being 6 months old), grabbed a chip on Monday, squeezed out the potato and ate most of it.

So I figure he's ready to start taking some foods.

We have a very casual approach. We have a good diet so he just plays with a bit of whatever we're having. Usually some 'finger food' like carrot or bread dipped in some kind of sauce.

Should I be worried about him choking on the 'bits'? He chokes on his milk sometimes Just worried if he sucks the bread hard, it might end up at the back of his throat.

Does that sound weird? Any advice?

 

[Rach27]

Anyone?

 

[TennisGal]

Doesn't sound weird AT all. I worried and still worry. We actually started off with TW partially due to this - but DD decided she was doing BLW!

I just make sure I avoid certain things that I know are hazards - and things I worry about personally. My own list include nuts, grapes, some dried fruit, raw apple, raw carrot, some other raw veg and fruit and also certain meats.

I am very careful about the size, never leave DD on her own - and whenever she coughs etc I make a big deal of saying 'CHEW' and showing her how to chew.

I think gagging is a lot more common - but the BLW weaning book gives some very helpful and reassuring advice. Have you got it?

If you want, I can PM you some of the info (but my book is currently at my Mums! So will be over the weekend)

 

[Mary Jo]

I think every mum and dad starting their LO out on solids is concerned about choking, it's a scary thing to witness. But you need to understand that a young baby's gag reflex is a LOT further forward in the mouth than it will be a few months down the line, and it is this that helps protect them from choking. Gagging is normal and actually a good thing because it helps LO to learn how much food they can manage comfortably in their mouth. It can be really disconcerting for everyone, though, and it's hard not to rush in and fish whatever out, but you have to just watch like a hawk, you begin to see the difference between a normal gag and something more than that. As long as you are careful about what you offer, like TennisGal said, and never ever leave LO alone with access to food. I make sure Adam has a cup of water within reach and encourage him to take a mouthful after he's had a minor issue with something.

Also, I didn't offer plain bread for the first few months, as it can get claggy and stick to the roof of LO's mouth - I made him toast, which he loved, and offered breadsticks, which are drier and more crumbly.

 

[Shiv]

Agree with what MaryJo said (she's so wise ), it ishard to start off with but you do get used to gagging incidents and they get less frequent. If teh baby is making noise then they are gagging as opposed to choking and should be ok sorting it out for themsleves. The time to worry is if the baby is unable to make any noise, then you shoudl intervene by giving hard slaps across teh upper back - never had to do this though luckily.

It is normal to worry, but once you see how adept your LO is at coping with food you will be able to relax and enjoy it

 

[MandaAnda]

Good advice on this thread already. We've already had one big gagging episode (last night), and have only been offering Jack food for three days. It is difficult not to jump to your feet and sort them out. It was harder for DH, who hadn't read the book and didn't have my understanding. Jack's eyes did water, but they do when you really gag. He wasn't upset and happily carried on exploring the food once he'd brought that piece forward and out of his mouth.

 

[sun]

I was so worried that OH had to feed Bun at first - with me pacing and stressing lol... But actual choking is rare while gagging is common. Gagging is how they learn to move food around their mouths and how far back it can go before they have to swallow - totally normal! So I would just tell myself that while I sat on my hands and let Bun figure it out. It is so hard at first to do this, but they get the hang of it so quickly!

I do have some foods that I don't offer though because Bun has a hard time with them. They are raw apple and carrot, really chewy things like dried fruit and fig newtons and big chunks of meat. But I am working up to these things slowly. Bun was not interested in food until 7.5 months, and only started eating significant amounts 6 weeks ago! xx

 

[Rach27]

Thank you!!! Some great tips there! Tennis Gal, I have a book on BLW now, which I'll have a look at this weekend.

We're just going to take it slowly. LO isn't hugely enamoured by food yet - apart from meat and potato it seems! So we'll see how we go.

Good points about the gagging reflex too - thanks for your help.

 

[NuKe]

tbh I think I'm strange for this but I wasn't worried about choking! I've a good friend who did BLW and I always ask her loads of questions. Choking is apparently more likely with purees! we have had a few gagging episodes but I just let her sort it out and she was fine!

 

[gills8752]

Gagging is not choking remember that! The gag reflex on a young baby is pretty much in the centre of their tongue - have a look at where the food is next time he gags and you'll see he's miles from choking.
XX