Please help - 9 month old with strong gag reflex - Normal?

[Timepasses]

My ds is 9 months old today ( 7.5 months corrected). He has been enjoying pureed foods but when I have tried finger food he is gagging and being sick.

So far he has had streamed carrot, cucumber, melt in mouth Ella biscuits.

I must admit that I go into complete panic mode when he gags and feel that I am holding him back.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

My DS still does this at 9 months too.

Anything lumpy or that he doesn't like and he will gag like crazy.

There's nothing you can do unfortunately. Keep offering different foods and he will eventually pick it up. It's a new skill he is learning don't forget and all babies develop in their own time.

Only advice I can give is not to panic when he gags. Have a huge smile plastered on your face and use encouraging words when he is eating. If he gags keep smiling and tell him he is okay.

Happy - thanks for your reply.

What type of finger/lumpy food are you feeding your ds?

Watching with interest. My DS is 10 months and still on textured purees as anything with a slight lump in it makes him gag. I can't even give him bits of toast, cheese or ham without him choking. Beginning to think he'll be puree fed for life! :(

He manages really well with bread sticks, toast (especially with jam and butter), biscotti, cucumber, sausage, chipped potatoes, tomato, oranges, strawberries, mango, organix baked crisps and rice cakes. And he loves fruit smoothie pouches but they're purees.

We've had small success with pasta bolognese and mashed potato.

I find it incredibly hard to give him meals as I know he won't eat it. He just sort of plays with it. Come actual meal times I'm always stumped as to what to give him because I do want him to ingest some of it.

I've got breakfast nailed though! Weetabix made with his formula or toast and some natural yoghurt or fruit afterwards.

Just the other two meals now!

My 8 month old is the same. I had a speech therapist visit me this week and she said just to keep giving finger foods and purée as reflux babies will eventually 'get it'. She said its best to let the baby touch the food themselves as it gives them more trust over what goes in their mouth. I guess this stems from the discomfort of bottle feeding them for so long!
It's still disheartening though as my LO hasn't actually swallowed any finger foods yet and gags easily on thicker purée. I have found that giving her smaller quantities on the spoon helps though...

Sorry I've just realised that you didn't mention refux OP! Some of my reply may still be relevant I hope.. Sorry!!

Lindsay, my LO has reflux too. He's still on gaviscon!

The joys of reflux! Does your LO actually swallow their food then?

Could he have tongue tie OP?

That can cause difficulty with chewing and swallowing, some textures more than others. Gagging and being sick also common with tied kids.

How did milk feeding go?

He feeds well from a bottle. He did have reflux but is fine now. How do I find if he has tongue tie?

i could have written this post. my 8.5 month old gags at everything that isn't a puree or a smooth yoghurt!

i can't stand the stress, she goes bright red, often vomits, feels so stressful for her, and me! when will this improve?!

Kelly1814 don't stress! My LO is now 10.5 months and rarely gags. She's now swallowing finger foods in small quantities and managing thicker purées fine.
Just give lots of finger foods and they'll get used to it. Keep a happy face when they gag. I found the organic carrot puffs were great at getting used to trusting finger foods. Also cucumber sticks!