Confused about tongue thrust reflex

[KentishMaid1977]

I think I am right in saying that the loss of the tongue thrust reflex is one of the signs that baby is ready for weaning. However, I thought it was this very reflex that helps to prevent choking

Right on both counts.

It's not contradictory - when the baby is becoming ready for solids, they begin to lose the anti-choking reflex and start learning to manipulate small things in their mouths, ie food.

A baby with a tongue thrust reflex will push anything that isn't milk right out of its mouth with its tongue.

What helps a baby not to choke is the ability to move food around their mouths, particularly from back to front but not out of their mouths.

for reference. With dd, the reflex went and then she started exploring food and practising moving it round her mouth. One seemed to be a reflex, the other learnt.

Aha, got it now. Thank you!