Solids Not what I expected

JessAnnJ · June 2013

LO will be six months on Thursday and we started solids this weekend. We originally planned to try BLW. We gave her some banana and we didn't have high expectations. We thought she would play with it and spit it out. However, what she actually did was the second it entered her mouth she started coughing and making gagging sounds. Her expression was a mixture of confusion and fear and she threw up on herself. We were all very freaked out.

After seeing her reaction we decided to back off the BLW and try some cereal. We have also tried sweet potatoes. Her reaction to spoon feeding is to use both hands to try to swat the spoon away. When something touches her tongue she freaks out. She makes gagging sounds and today it seemed like she was holding her mouth open because she didn't want the food moving around in her mouth. There is also a lot of crying.

I expected that she wouldn't eat much if anything at first and I expected she would spit stuff out. But I really didn't expect her to get so angry or for me to feel bad/sad like I was doing something mean. I really hope this gets better.

nanabanana06 · June 2013

I would wait a little while and try again. Some coughing/gagging is normal with foods. It's all part of learning to chew and move things around in her mouth.

SingleMom31 · June 2013

I agree with PP that waiting a couple days might be good.

We've had good luck with the stage 1 pure pouches. They seem thin enough that there's no chance of her choking. She wasn't a big fan of the texture of cereal either. Also, she likes it warm like bottle warm. No idea if it'll help, but a couple things to try...

schumakr · June 2013

Have you read up on BLW? There is an article in Parent's Magazine about it. Gagging is totally normal. Alexandra gagged on a piece of cooked potato, coughed it up and continued to eat.

Keep at it mama! She might not be super into it yet.

rjeller32 · June 2013

Nana_Osaki06:
I would wait a little while and try again. Some coughing/gagging is normal with foods. It's all part of learning to chew and move things around in her mouth.

With BLW, gagging is really expected. And usually, when they gag, it's pretty gross, like what you described. I remember with DD1 I freaked out the first time she did it, but I slowly became more comfortable with it, and she stopped fairly quickly.

It's just their bodies natural defense from choking. Step off for a couple days, come back to it. I promise it won't be the last time your LO gags and spits up food, but it's really okay.

nanabanana06 · June 2013

rjeller32:
Nana_Osaki06:
I would wait a little while and try again. Some coughing/gagging is normal with foods. It's all part of learning to chew and move things around in her mouth.
With BLW, gagging is really expected. And usually, when they gag, it's pretty gross, like what you described. I remember with DD1 I freaked out the first time she did it, but I slowly became more comfortable with it, and she stopped fairly quickly.
It's just their bodies natural defense from choking. Step off for a couple days, come back to it. I promise it won't be the last time your LO gags and spits up food, but it's really okay.

Yup. This! Cade gagged once so far. It was on a piece of steak from tonight. He spit it out and nommed on a sweet potato. A lot of the anxiety with gaging for babies comes from mom, not baby. Since we can have a bad habit of jumping up and freaking out.

kescalera · June 2013

That sounds so similar to our friend/neighbor. Their daughter would start gagging throw up if anything solidish went into her mouth until she was almost 18 months. Just a super sensitive gag reflex or something.

Good luck! I'm sure your LO will get the hang of it eventually.

MrsBigTime · June 2013

I intended to do BLW as well, but, honestly, the gagging freaks me out. I know it's part of the process, but the nurse in me just can't handle DD choking (or almost choking, you know what I mean)!

The first time or two with spoon feeds (we did avocado first) were not really successful, but it's gotten better every time. I've since tried sweet potatoes and peas, which she absolutely loves and dives her face forward toward the spoon!

I am doing the whole food thing pretty casually because I tend to agree with the saying "food before one is just for fun" but it's fun to watch LO experience new things, and if it helps her sleep a bit longer at night, that's just a bonus

JessAnnJ · June 2013

I expected gagging and I wasn't worried she would choke. It was the throwing up part that freaked me out. Also the crying. She just looked so mad/sad.

Even when we switched to purees I was surprised how opposed she was to the food even touching the tip of her tongue.

I think I also did not expect the double handed spoon hitting.

Fingers crossed that it gets better. Thanks everyone.

robyn2201 · June 2013

I would hold off on solids for a few weeks and try again then. There is nothing that says you have to start solids at a specific time.

perfectlove09 · June 2013

I would also suggest holding off for a couple weeks. There's no reason to force it.

Is she crawling or walking yet?

StefandTodd · June 2013

Gagging is normal. So is the throwing up. I would think the going back and forth and letting her feed herself, then feeding her with a spoon, etc and so on is pretty confusing to her. The swatting at the spoon sounds like she's trying to take back the control you gave her and then took away from her. I'd back off for awhile and then offer her whole, solid, real foods - whatever you're eating - in a few weeks and try to sit on your hands and let her figure it out. Resist the urge to direct her, let her have control. Baby-led. Let baby lead. She'll get it.

Want a personalized experience?

Solids Not what I expected

Re: Solids Not what I expected

Choose Another Board

Search Boards