BLW and gagging/vomiting

CollieJade

I posted this on the AP board but thought some on this board might offer some insight.

After many frustrating attempts to spoon feed purees, I gave up and decided that DD really wants to self-feed, so we started BLW.  She really has very little interest in solids and hasn't figured out that solid food can actually fill her tummy.  But our pedi was really insistent that we start trying to get some solids in.  We've been doing BLW a couple times a day for about 2 weeks or so.

Long story short, tonight I gave her a few puffs, some yogurt melts, and a slice of apple to gnaw on.  She managed to get a yogurt melt in her mouth, gagged HARD, and projectile vomited.  A little even came out her nose.  I was completely freaked out!  DH said he was watching when the whole thing happened and he saw the melt go straight to the back of her mouth, which I know can trigger the gag reflex.  Now I know the BLW book says that a little gagging when they are first learning is normal and not to be feared.  But gagging to the point where she looks like she's choking?  Then vomiting her earlier bottle feeding?  I just don't know about this.

Any idea what the problem might be?  I really am starting to think she's just not ready at all for solids.  And I'm worried about her having SUCH a strong gag reflex.  It just seems like she's not really catching up to the concept of moving food around correctly in her mouth.  DH just thinks that it's because she's really only just started eating solids and that she'll learn.  But I'm scared she'll vomit like that again, or choke.

Any thoughts/advice are appreciated!

 

LaurenNBill

She may not be ready, stick with your gut feeling and wait a little while. DS didn't take to purees really at all and over time started taking more and more real solids that we started BLW. 

Keep trying if you're determined to get some solid experience. Real soft bananas or avocado are good, things that melt in her mouth maybe.

good luck, she is getting all the real nutrition out of BM/F so don't stress.  

Traycee1242

I'm not a fan of BLW... but it works for many.

However, your baby is only 6 months and 1 week old!!! Clearly she is not ready. I would give her two weeks or so and start again. And maybe start with purees???

FWIW my LO is a champ at solids. He has loved everything I've given him (though we do purees) but I still don't think he's ready for puffs or yogurt melts.

GL

katie_cj

It took Jake a good couple weeks to start getting the hand of purees. I never really pushed much.

Honestly, at 6 months, I would stop and try again in a couple of weeks.

MeghanF13

Gagging and vomitting is a good sign that she was able to work it out herself instead of actually choking and needing the heimlich. DD has done this a couple of times and it is scary but good that she could work it out herself , kwim? We are just starting some chunkier foods and fingers foods but they scare me. She still eats purees, except when she is teething all she wants is cold stuff (apple sauce, yogurt etc.).

Your DD is still young and just might not be ready for any solids. Keep trying with the purees if that is what you are comfortable with. Or try pureeing it less - maybe she wants slightly chunkier food but not actual finger foods.

IMHO - always follow your gut. If it makes you uncomfortable then don't do it.

ksayles

My DD could careless about solids in general. We have tried purees with little success and same with BLW.

Today she has been gagging like crazy. She gagged for everything and then threw up. Fun.

I am still trying them, but I am sick of wasting food. 

kit443

We tried BLW at 6 months but he wasn't ready. We tried again at 7 moths (after during purees for a bit) and he LOVED it.

MrsBeckO

I didn't read the whole book since we had to take a different approach with Camy, but from what I understand, BLW says to give pieces of food for your LO to bite off of, not small already bite-size pieces. Perhaps something about being in control of what and how much goes in her mouth would help, as opposed to something small enough that she puts the whole thing in her mouth (like the yogurt melt). KWIM?

Hopefully someone with BLW experience will chime in.  

 

CollieJade

Thanks for the advice.  Yeah I agree that my gut is that she really isn't ready (though she does enjoy sucking and gumming a few things like the apple and pear slices, as long as it isn't something she can choke on).  I was really shocked that my pedi was SO insistent about it.  She actually told me that we needed to be feeding her three times a day at least 3-4 t of food.  There's no way DD will let me spoon feed her, and clearly she chokes on food chunks...

I appreciate the input and confirming my sense that she isn't ready just yet!

ab090509

I don't know anything about BLW, but on the back of the puffs package it has a list of when baby is ready for puffs - it includes things like crawling without tummy touching floor, chewing food with gums, etc.

It sounds like she's not ready and until she's comfortable with solid purees I would stay away from anything more complicated.  She could inhale something and aspirate on it.  Please take your time - she should not be vomiting and choking! 

Lizard2022

I'm not an expert, we've only been doing BLM for about 3 weeks now, but the way we are doing it DS gets bigger pieces he can suck/bite down on.  I read in my research not to use small pieces but chip or fry shaped pieces.  Until the perfect their pincher grasp babes can't open their hands to get to food.  DS has gagged/vomited a couple times, it is scary but it is just them learning how to chew and swallow.  They are going to gag when they stop purees too and move on to table food.

BLW has been great for us.  DS is loving it and he is learning so quickly how to feed himself.  Here are some links that helped me. 

https://www.babyledweaning.com/

https://www.baby-led.com/

https://babyledweaning.blogware.com/blog/GettingStartedFingerFoodBasics/FingerFoodBasicsMonth1

Lizard2022

Also read this page about gagging.  Further down it has some good information.

https://babyledweaning.blogware.com/blog/TheGaggingThing

Amber5103

We started BLW at 6 months, but started with mashed potatoes.  I loaded the spoon for her and that was that!  I don't give LO yogurt puffs or melts.  We do Baby Mum-Mums.  LO does gag, but has never vomited from it, and it doesn't happen very often.  If you haven't visit this site, the forum has lots of information!  It will take her a while to figure out how to move the food around, but if you don't feel comfortable, I would wait a few weeks and try again!  And remember this is an experimental stage for her she doesn't need to eat anything but BM or Formula!  She will eventually learn that food is for nourishment!