BLW Help Please!

stdkrh21

We are starting blw. We tried avocado tonight and ds got a very small mushy piece in his mouth. He seemed like he was struggling a little with it, almost choking but not gagging or having difficulty breathing. He then projectile vomited everywhere. Where can I get more info on what is ok to offer him (food size and consistency) and how can I prevent him from choking or vomiting? Tia

StrawberryAlarmClock

Avocado is a great first food. It sounds like he put it in his mouth himself, right? That's good. It's also good that you can tell the difference between gagging and choking. Some parents confuse the two (it's easy to do) and freak out. A little gagging is totally normal; it's how they know what size bites to take and how the whole process works to move the food to their throat and swallow it. Projectile vomit looks and sounds far scarier than it truly is. DS did that once on banana and DH just about joined him. I thought we were going to have a remake of the pie eating scene from Stand By Me! Some babies vomit practically all the time, some hardly ever. Just another example of "every baby is different." There are so many options and no right answer, really. As long as DS is sitting well and putting the food in his own mouth, you're on the right track. It's a learning process like anything else. You can absolutely take a break or try a different food if you like - sweet potatoes are another awesome first food and their consistency may not trigger the vomit reflex (or it may). Another option is to try bigger pieces of a slightly firmer fruit like a very ripe pear. Then, DS can hold it and sort of nurse the pieces, getting juice and slivers of the flesh. Honestly, it sounds like everything you're saying is normal and I would just keep offering healthy choices and watch him while he eats like you are.

StacieJane

Gill Rapley's book, Baby Led Weaning, would be a good resource.

SnoopyLuv

Large slivers, the size of peach or apple slices are what you should be aiming for. They should be thin, but long enough to grasp.

Unfortunately, that's a normal reaction to eating for the first time. Avocado was the first food we did too, but she hit the ground running.

I would let it go for a few days and then try again. Youtube some videos of BLW so you can see what a normal reaction is. I know I about died the first time she gagged (which is VERY different from choking). Please resist the temptation to stick your fingers down their throat. I know it's hard but it makes it worse, I know from experience.