Terrified of baby choking

[Jem01]

My son is 8 months old, the last two months we have been weaning him on purees which he loves. I feel it's now time to start the finger food but I'm absolutely terrified of him choking. My husband is far more relaxed and likes to encourage him to eat finger food but I'm too scared to give it to him so wait until I'm with my husband (generally weekends as weekdays baby is in bed by the time he gets home).

For those who had the same worries, how did you overcome this anxiety? I feel so silly like I'm over reacting but the two times I gave him finger food the gagging, although it's a normal part of their reflex, totally panicked me and now I've stopped.

Any tips welcome. Thanks.

[ricecrispies16]

I think perhaps the trick is to persevere. I'm going through the same thing with my little girl, she always surprises me though, she will vomit from a tiny little lump but last night literally took a bite of my pizza chewed it and swallowed with no gagging whatsoever?! Makes no sense

[glitterglitters]

We did blw with our dd but I was super anxious about choking prior to weaning. What I did was actual went on a short kids first aid course, it just gave me that confidence that if (god forbid) any choking were to occur I would know what to do. Thankfully I've never needed it and I was able to identify gagging over choking. Maybe this is something that could give you a bit of extra confidence? X

[HeyMicky]

I second the idea of a first aid course. I did BLW with both of mine but it made me feel confident I could help them if there was a problem

[Jem01]

Thank you all for your responses. Great idea glitter will sign up for one - thank you!x

[HLBug]

The Red Cross have a Baby & Child First Aid App which really is brilliant- I'd definitely recommend that you check it out.

m.redcross.org.uk/Learn-first-aid/Baby-and-child-app/Baby-and-child-app-page

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

@Jem01 - I can remember having the same worries when we started weaning ds1 onto finger foods. I used to cut up,his sandwich at lunch time into tiny squares, that I thought were safe.

Then one day we were in an Italian restaurant, and ds1 completely ignored the tiny bits of garlic bread I had carefully torn up and put on the tray of his high chair, reached across to the table, grabbed a huge chunk of garlic bread and munched it with glee!

I relaxed somewhat after that.

[MissJC]

I did a first aid course with Mini First Aid. They were brill and if you get more than 6 people they will come to your home. Went through all the choking worries and makes you feel much more equipped. Also gave a lot of information on how to prepare certain foods and which to avoid etc. Very relaxed and hands on!

[PacificDogwod]

Do an paediatric first aid course.

Trust the fact that a healthy baby is designed to survive.

Understand that 'choking'/gagging is a protective reflex - it's there to avoid respiratory problems.

See you GP to access help managing your anxiety issues - seriously, I mean this kindly, looking after children if fraught with stuff that can go wrong, but usually doesn't. You don't want your child to pick up on your anxieties, you want to raise a happy, confident person who is prepared to put themselves out there. Don't let your issues become theirs

[CatsCantFlyFast]

As mentioned above, there is an important difference between choking and gagging. Have a google, it might help. Also to know that babies often aspirate on purée, so puréed foods aren't "safer" than solids.