Just keep doing what you were doing, slowly upgrading the texture. Gagging and choking are not the same thing. Gagging, however, is a protective reflex that results in the contraction of the back of the throat. 8mth old baby suddenly gagging on his food - help please! Choking is when food gets lodged in a baby’s throat and prevents breathing. Gagging is a reflex in which food or an object from the back of the throat is pushed into the mouth. The gag reflex brings food forward in your baby's mouth so that they can more easily chew it and safely swallow smaller pieces. This may then lead to a gagging or gurgling sound. Gagging VS. Choking. Because gagging while eating is frustrating for your baby and sometimes has dangerous consequences, it’s imperative to understand why it occurs. Gag reflex protects babies from choking. If your baby gags continuously, vomits frequently and is generally upset at mealtimes, it is best to consult a feeding specialist to rule out potential underlying issues. For the most part, they will not actually choke on the food. The gag reflex helps us to expel food that our bodies feel is unsafe for us to swallow. j. jncastellanos. When this happens, it’s important to let your baby work the food forward on their own and to refrain from sticking your finger in your baby’s mouth, which can make the situation worse. Hello! So here is the deal, your baby WILL gag on finger foods. Too Much or Too Little Food The flow of milk from your breast or bottle may come out too slow or too quickly, which often leads to gagging … Baby gags and throws up everytime with "real" food. Gags, spits food out, or seems to choke repeatedly when trying to chew or swallow food – I want to differentiate here a bit, because gagging or spitting out after the baby has started eating tends to indicate that a baby may be having difficulty coordinating the actions of chewing and/or swallowing. Hi guys, My 8 month old has only really been eating 'lumpy' textures for the past month but he was eating a 7mth jar at lunch and tea time and having weetabix for breakfast with no problems whatsoever.
Children with a very sensitive gag reflex tend to gag more easily than other children on food that is not smooth. The difference is that gaging is where the baby is actively trying to get the food out and sounds like a deep coughing sound. It’s important to understand how to identify when your baby might be gagging or choking on food. This reflex is very sensitive and often triggered in young infants, and it becomes less sensitive when they grow older . Gagging after eating becomes less frequent as your baby develops and learns to regulate the quantity of food they swallow. After all, this is a new skill for them! While your newborn gagging can be alarming, try to stay calm and allow your baby's natural reflexes to help clear the airways. If your baby gags but then happily continues eating and learning to manage the food, great. The gag is usually triggered somewhere on the tongue. I hate to tell you this, but they will. Vic57irb. Gagging vs. Choking: What’s the Difference? Gagging means your baby is learning, and is not necessarily a bad thing. Then, when the baby coughs or gags, the fluid and mucus come up, collecting at the back of the throat. Choking, on the other hand, can be very serious. Guest Posted on 07-02-2012 at 4.33PM . This often looks very scary, as the child can turn red and appear quite distressed. It is a natural function and protects us from choking. A baby’s gag reflex is much closer to the front of their mouth than an adult’s, meaning it is much easier for them to gag on food. When babies are transitioning from breast milk or formula to their first solid foods, the risk for gagging and choking increases. My little guy is 9.5 months old and everytime I try to introduce real foods he gags and then throws it up.