Q for baby-led weaners...

mrs.larry

heh. weaners.

*ahem*

so about gagging. my friend's son keeps gagging on any sort of finger foods she gives him. He's always had a very quick gag-reflex. Anyway she's starting to "lose hope" <-- her words, on self feeding. I wanted to give her encouragement...

Are there any good resources on how to handle gaggers? Is it too late, since he's 8 months and basically 100% puree fed? She's been giving him puffs, and has tried lentils too. I'm thinking maybe something mushy and soft, like sweet potato or something - so it's more like a puree when it gets in his mouth, but he still gets the gist of self-feeding?

Any thoughts?

michaelaskedlauren

Im not expert and have no idea if its 'too late' but we started with uber soft stuff in the beginning so DS could get the hang of it. Our to-gos were watermelon, steamed brocc, corn on the cob, steamed string beans and a few others.

He may still gag on that stuff if he takes too big of a bite, but that is all part of the learning process. The gagging becomes less and less once they learn what size bites to take, etc.

mrs.larry

that makes a lot of sense about the learning curve. I remember my first son gagging on certain things, and eventually he got over it. It's so hard to watch! But I guess it's a learning curve for mom and baby both. 

With this baby, it's not just that it's scary, but he gags and throws up everything he just ate. so it's harder for her to just let him figure it out that way.

 

jnickers98

mrs.larry:

heh. weaners.

*ahem*

so about gagging. my friend's son keeps gagging on any sort of finger foods she gives him. He's always had a very quick gag-reflex. Anyway she's starting to "lose hope" <-- her words, on self feeding. I wanted to give her encouragement...

Are there any good resources on how to handle gaggers? Is it too late, since he's 8 months and basically 100% puree fed? She's been giving him puffs, and has tried lentils too. I'm thinking maybe something mushy and soft, like sweet potato or something - so it's more like a puree when it gets in his mouth, but he still gets the gist of self-feeding?

Any thoughts?

This sounds like my DD.  I'd love to hear suggestions.  She eats purees very well, but gags on anything I give her.  She will pick up food I give her, but has no interest in putting it in her mouth.  If I try, she is tight lipped and will spit it out or gag/cough/puke. 

Come on little girl!  I won't be pureeing your birthday cake in January.

shortstuff15

Both my girls were/are big gaggers.  They get it from me.  I have a super sensitive gag reflex.  So I've just learned to let them gag and they learn what they can handle in their mouth.  Gagging isn't a bad thing.  It teaches the kids to chew properly and how to get stuff out that's too far back and may get stuck.  So in my opinion gagging is better!

meg_2006

DS still gags, but a LOT less than he did when we first started.  Maybe try some banana, or a juicy fruit like pineapple.  Steamed fruits & veggies may break apart easier too- try apples, pears, or carrots. Eventually they get the hang of it!  They all have to eat real food at some point!  

raefre

mrs.larry:

that makes a lot of sense about the learning curve. I remember my first son gagging on certain things, and eventually he got over it. It's so hard to watch! But I guess it's a learning curve for mom and baby both. 

With this baby, it's not just that it's scary, but he gags and throws up everything he just ate. so it's harder for her to just let him figure it out that way.

 

When we first started giving him our food, DS would start gagging on anything we gave him, including sweet potatoes, bread, and green beans.  It hasn't been until recently that he'll take something and eat it without much gagging. 

Also, he sometimes expects me to feed him since we've been primarily feeding him purees.  I show him how I eat it, then place it on his tray, and let him pick it up and feed himself.  This normally takes maybe one try (if he doesn't take it right away).

namara5532

When I started letting DS feed himself, I started by plopping the purees on his tray.  It was messy, but it helped him learn that he can put food in his mouth with his hands.  Over time, I thickened it with rice cereal until he could eat soft foods ,like squash and avocado, without it being pureed.  We gave him lots of positive encouragement and didn't mind him making a mess (we discoverd the cat loves pureed peas as a result).  From there, we just put more complicated foods on his tray.  He still has trouble with some of the food that requires chewing, but this process has worked great to switch him from purees to table foods.  We did this process at 6 months (he started rice cereal at 4, purees at 5), but I'd imagine an 8 month old could still go through the same steps.

jnickers98

namara5532:

When I started letting DS feed himself, I started by plopping the purees on his tray.  It was messy, but it helped him learn that he can put food in his mouth with his hands.  Over time, I thickened it with rice cereal until he could eat soft foods ,like squash and avocado, without it being pureed.  We gave him lots of positive encouragement and didn't mind him making a mess (we discoverd the cat loves pureed peas as a result).  From there, we just put more complicated foods on his tray.  He still has trouble with some of the food that requires chewing, but this process has worked great to switch him from purees to table foods.  We did this process at 6 months (he started rice cereal at 4, purees at 5), but I'd imagine an 8 month old could still go through the same steps.

I might have to get out a tarp and try this.  I'm willing to try anything at this point.

mrs.larry

thanks ladies! I appreciate the feedback and I'll pass it along!!

talitha712

Here's the thing he's going to gag whenever table foods are introduced. At 8m he probably should be eating some finger foods anyway. He can't eat purees forever. I'd start with soft mushy things like avocado, banana, etc so the texture isn't too terribly different. Or steam some broccoli or carrots or zucchini like, really steam so they're soft. Her son may just need some time to explore textures with food. DD used to gag all.the.time but now I can't remember the last time she did. And gagging is not the same as choking. Gagging is a normal and healthy part of learning how to eat foods. It's hard to watch and it's scary but it will get better!