Reluctance to eat after choking

[NikkiH]

My eldest son's year went on a school residential trip last week. During breakfast in the middle of the week one of his friends whose aged 10 choked on a piece of bacon. The staff on the trip dealt with it very well - he was taken from the room and they eventally managed to dislodge it after using that bear hug technique (sorry can't remember its actual name!) five times.

He was fine after the incident in himself but since then has been reluctant to eat even at home. His mum is very worried about him. She has tried cutting up normal meals really small and he has eaten one meal like this albeit really slowly and carefully. Otherwise he won't eat anything except very soft or runny or melt-in-your mouth foods like soup, yoghurt, ice cream.

She has tried talking to him and explaining that what happened was a freak incident and is unlikely to happen again if he eats carefully and chews food properly but it hasn't had any effect. She's off to the doctors tonight with him to see if he's got any advice but I wondered if the wise women (and the occasional sage man) of Mumsnet might have some suggestions?

probably not very useful, buti would think this will sort itself out eventually, he is understandably scared of a repeat happening but i think soon the hunger and the temptation of his favourite foods will soon have hime ating normally again, maybe she could cook him his very favourite meal, or buy him a takeaway he really loves (mcdonalds?) i really think he will be coaxed with time, kids are very resiliant

I think you may well be right Looplou6. She did take him to McDonalds on Saturday and although he didn't tuck in with his usual gusto he did manage to eat most of it albeit really slowly.

Since then though he does seem to be more worried at mealtimes saying he can't swallow and tensing up a lot. He's getting in quite a state about it and that's why she's so worried.

its a tough one because the more fuss thats made the more of an issue it becomes, if it where my child i would be inclined to carry on tempting him, but acting as if im not bothered that hes not eating, im not saying i think hes playing up, but if hes ee's his mum is making a huge deal out of it, then it will esculate in his own mind and this is where it could really become a problem

I agree with the others. It will probably pass quite quickly. don't make a fuss - he won't starve if he is drinking plenty and eating a little. It's a bit like when they fall off their bike or something, they are really wary then get over it... Hope it works itself out soon!

Thanks for your comments. My inclination was to say wait and see but I didn't know if I was being a bit hard hearted.