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Original poster

Baby led weaning .... Has anyone's baby's choked or were they fine

18 replies

xkatxdollx · 27/01/2012 03:09

Im things about blw but I'm scared she might choke I love the idea of it but want to hear more from moms who have tried it and how it was for their kids

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Fraktal · 27/01/2012 04:20

DS choked a couple of times and it is scary but do a baby first aid course so you feel confident about pulling them out the high chair and whacking them on the back to dislodge the food. He still does try to inhale food but much better at coughing by himself now at 9mo.

UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 27/01/2012 05:10

DS has gagged on occasion, but at nearly 10 months he can handle most things we eat.

It was scary the first time it happened, but he was fine.

Molehillmountain · 27/01/2012 08:13

There's a difference between gagging and choking. It's easy to panic whe your baby gags but really it's a helpful mechanism to prevent choking. This is my experience with ds and dd2 anyway.

AlmaMartyr · 27/01/2012 08:17

I've done it with both of mine and neither have ever choked. I've not really seen them gag either.

GlaikitFizzog · 27/01/2012 08:22

Only time my DS has gagged(not choked) was when I was feeding him soup from a spoon. Gagging is normal, it helps prevent them choking. The learn really quickly if they need to chew something a bit more beofre swallowing. DS now spits out what he has chomped on if he can't swallow it (think bits of steak).

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 27/01/2012 08:29

Some babies do gag a bit - but if they're like that, they'll still do that when you go from puree to solids and in fact can be worse. With BLW they deal with food better because they have put it in their mouth so they know what's coming - whereas if it is put in their mouth on a spoon they have no idea what size or texture it's going to be.

Gagging isn't anything to worry about and babies seldom choke, but it does really help to do a First Aid Course (I think all parents should anyway) as it gives you the confidence to deal with it if they do choke.

One thing to remember is that it's normal for babies - spoon fed or BLW to move the food around in their mouths for a bit and then spit it out/let it fall out - it's all part of their development.

With BLW you just need to make sure they are sitting up (it's OK if they still need a little propping, but not if they are completely unable to sit unaided) and are ready for food (showing signs of wanting to join in :) ). I've done both and definitely think BLW is better.

The Gill Rapley book is well worth a read.

worldgonecrazy · 27/01/2012 08:53

If you are worried do a baby first aid course. There is a difference between gagging and choking. Gagging is a bit like retching and is a normal reaction. If the gagging is really bad they may even vomit a bit, again this is normal and just learning about moving food around. Gagging is caused by food hitting their gag reflex. They learn to move the food around their mouths very quickly. If you sit on your hands for 10 seconds, they normally have it sorted themselves by around 5-7 seconds.

Choking is different. Choking happens when a piece of food or other item lodges in the airway restricting breathing. If this happens you need to know your first aid to remove it safely.

There are some safety steps you can take. Never put your fingers in their mouth to remove food, you may force it further back into the windpipe and cause choking.

Always cut up things like grapes or cherry tomatoes. Their skins can be quite tough and they can cause a choking risk. Once the skin is cut the food squashes more easily so it is no longer a risk. Never leave your child unattended whilst they are eating.

Some parents prefer to avoid apple as this can be quite hard for children to manage - try grating it if you want to give it, or just monitor them closely.

I second the suggestion of the Gill Rapley book.

gastrognome · 27/01/2012 10:21

I did BLW with both mine and although we have had a few gagging incidents, neither of them ever choked.

I agree that it helps to do a baby first aid course to ease your mind, if you are the worrying kind (I am!).

One very useful piece of information I picked up was that gagging makes a noise (which means that some air is getting through). Choking is silent.

Also, if baby does gag, it's important you stay calm and just let them work the food in their mouth or spit it out. Don't panic or shout or make a big deal about it. Apparently it can help to look at them and make "chewing" faces, as that helps baby understand what to do with the food!

Original poster

xkatxdollx · 27/01/2012 15:16

Yes I know the diff between gagging and choking and I am going to defiantly take a first aid course and ya anything Iv read says that it's even more likely for baby to choke on purées especially once they start solids because they have just learnt to swallow without chewing it makes me feel so much better that other parents have had success with this and the grating thing I think would work great I'll be doing that with some foods for sure I think I'm going to start with broccoli florets first then put in some different stuff she's almost 5 months now and always watches me eat and makes chewing faces when I chew so she def wants to eat but I'm waiting till 6 months and when she can sit unassisted

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Quenelle · 27/01/2012 15:21

My local children's centre did an infant first aid course for £3.

Original poster

xkatxdollx · 27/01/2012 15:31

I have to look into where to get it done I know the college does first aid courses I'll have to look into it

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Fraktal · 27/01/2012 19:51

I would second the suggestions about apple and grapes. The only actually choking we've had was a piece of raw apple he managed to bite off and a whole grape he snaffled. I now microwave apple to soften it a bit!

I think the biggest risk with BLW is carelessness about the food on your own plate (see grape incident!).

Original poster

xkatxdollx · 27/01/2012 19:59

I would be too scared todo grapes till shewasgoodatchewing but it's mainly broccoli apples pears avacados chicken steak all that stuff

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gamerwidow · 27/01/2012 20:01

My DD used to gag quite frequently and it is really unnerving at first but it's not dangerous. In the BLW book it explains that in babies the gag reflex is triggered further forward in the mouth than for adults so a baby will gag before they are in choking danger.

mousymouseprice · 27/01/2012 20:03

gagged, yes and quite often.
choked, no.

first aid training for children is always a good idea for parents imo

Original poster

xkatxdollx · 27/01/2012 20:08

Yes I read that the younger the further forward the gag reflex is and that's why its better to start with real food because if you start with mush then real food the gag reflex is farther back and would be more of a choking hazard

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worldgonecrazy · 28/01/2012 08:23

We have had a couple of 'incidents' too. Forgot to mention them yesterday. She did have a couple of uncut grapes when she grabbed them. Rather than risk damage by extracting them from her mouth we just watched her carefully. She also managed to get an unstoned olive into her mouth (you really don't want to get between DD and the olives). The stone was in her nappy the next day, she had swallowed it with no problem at all.

Original poster

xkatxdollx · 28/01/2012 13:49

Well that's good you just think they are so fragile by looking at them but how would any of us survived without purée

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