Should i be moving on from puree??

[michC]

My 7mo is happy having puree and lumpy food. I thhink he should be having finger food too. I gave him rice cakes and toast last week but he choked (coughing on trying to swallow too much) on both. I just popped my finger in and fished it out but my DH thinks i'm trying too much too soon. My mum also thinks he is too young!! What can i give him and will he get used to food and stop choking?

If he is coughing, then he's learning to move the food up from his throat back into his mouth - it's gagging, not choking. It's if he's not coughing, going red in the face, making no noise etc, that you should worry, as that would mean the food is stuck. Don't worry about it, honestly, just keep giving the finger foods under close supervision. He's definitely not too young for finger foods.

lots of people start weaning with finger food - it's fine and lots of fun
more here

My ds only had finger food from 6 months, check out www.babyledweaning.com if you want ammo for sceptical relatives.

Also NHS guidelines recommend giving fingerfoods from 6 months in their weaning booklet so it must be ok!

DS also never had any puree in his life, has been on finger food since 6mo, no problem, occasionally gagging but sorts himself out quickly and is happy to carry on.

I didn't discuss it particularly with mum or MIL as I think they would have been , but just did it and they were amazed and hugely impressed by DS eating like a normal person.

Just adding as well, re what finger foods to give him, I gave ds steamed brocolli, slices of cucumber, potato wedges, banana, slices of avocado, toast, chunks of baguette, organix carrot stick things (they look like a big wotsit but are for little ones and are good as they are easy for babies to hold and chew on but "melt" in the mouth). And as said, don't panic about the gagging thing, it lasts a few weeks and it really is a reflex to stop choking. Its not nice but you do get used to it

Maybe start with soft fruit or veg rather than toast or rice cakes - bit more moist, might be easier?

DS started with chunks of ripe pear and sweet potato.

Thanks guys, will give it another go. Now just have to convince mum! She looks after him whilst i'm at work. She is a god send but think she wraps him in cotton wool while i'm away!!!!!