Terrified of weaning baby

[areandare]

I have a 7 month old baby boy. He’s doing so well and I’m so proud of him, but there is one issue… WEANING!

We started weaning straight away at 6 months and he absolutely loves it! There has not been one thing yet that he hasn’t liked. However, I am so scared of him choking.

I am only giving him purees and very smooth foods right now, along with those melty stick things for him to hold and feed himself.

I made him baby banana pancakes once, he really enjoyed them but bit too much off and really gagged on it (eyes watering, head back) it was terrifying and he looked really scared.

Im worrying because I don’t want my fear to hinder his development, but I just don’t think I can do it. I see other babies his age eating finger foods, avocado toast etc, and then here I am too afraid to give him anything that isn’t mashed or blended.

Could anybody offer advice or experiences please? At this rate I feel like I will never be confident in it 😢

Have you considered taking a baby first aid course? That might make you more confident if anything goes wrong. Depends where you are in the country, but when DS1 was born our council had a monthly drop in session for any healthy eating queries, and then with DS2 (when we had moved) the health visitors ran sessions about weaning.

Relax about the gagging, it’s totally normal and it’s exactly what they’re supposed to do to protect themselves from choking. Solid starts has some really good tips on how to prepare food. I’d also strongly consider a paediatric first aid course. But you do have to put your worries aside and do it. It’s important for all sorts of reasons not just to get a healthy diet but chewing helps develop the muscles used for speech.

Definitely do a baby first aid course, also St. John ambulance and Red Cross do excellent videos online and apps.
Also, learn the difference between choking and gagging. Gagging is completely normal and an important way how babies learn to deal with food in their mouths. It looks pretty scary though!
There's a rhyme to help you with the difference - "loud and red, let them go ahead; silent and blue, they need help from you"

Agree with others about a baby first aid course and looking at solid starts in how best to prepare food. My second hated purees (which looking back was massive food fomo - why would he want green sludge when what his big sister had looked much more tasty) so we moved on from them after about 3 days. Try little bits of very soft food, or avocado on toast where he can suck. Or scrambled egg which isn't puree but still very soft.

Gagging is normal - it’s how baby stops himself from choking. It’s very common and will happen a lot.

and you need to let it happen.

consider a first aid to give yourself confidence.

How are you now @areandare? Have you had a look at the first aid videos and have you considered a Paediatric First Aid Course?

Thank you all for the suggestions. I definitely will be doing a first aid course, the next one in my area isn’t until May but I’ve booked on.

Since making this thread I have given him toast (with my mum present for support!!) he enjoyed it but again bit a big chunk off and gagged.

The thought of him choking terrifies me. I’ve watched endless videos and do feel that I’d know what to do, but I still worry what if it didn’t work. The more I’m putting it off and sticking to purées, the more anxious I’m getting. He’s almost 8 months now.

Gagging is good, it means his body is doing what it's supposed to be doing. With more practice, the gagging will lessen.

Gagging isn't choking. Keep reminding yourself that.

I was you a year ago - the 'bridging' foods that helped us through the fear and onto more solid foods were milky weetabix and raspberries (separately) - it is very very difficult to choke on either. Best wishes for your weaning journey.