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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

6 month blw constantly choking

43 replies

StarlightMcEggzie · 07/04/2009 19:56

Can anyone help. HV no good.

Baby Starlight doesn't ever get anything down, she grabs it, squeals in delight, gums pieces off and then chokes.

It comes up, - eventually, but she goes silent and red in the face, sometimes white and then, - out it pops.

She does this even with mush.

There is never any sign of anything in her nappies.

I'm not convinced that pureeing will solve the problem, but of course the HV does.

Can anyone give me any sensible suggestions?

Many tia!

OP posts:
LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 07/04/2009 19:58

surely mush and puree are the same thing?

it could still be a developmental issue, that she is not ready for solids?

if she is 6 months, then it is quite feasible that she might need another few weeks to get ready for solids

Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 07/04/2009 20:00

Oh, she used to vomit it out of her throat, but seems to just stick with the choking now.

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Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 07/04/2009 20:01

Actually she's 7 months on Thursday. Doesn't time fly!

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LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 07/04/2009 20:38

is she choking or gagging? choking is different,should be some info on aitch'sblog

Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 07/04/2009 21:06

Well I 'thought' she was gagging, since she was bringing it back up, but then I went on a first aid course last week on cpr and choking and the trainer witnessed her 'choking' on a bit of toast.

Timely!

He knows nothing about feeding though.

Am starting to worry that there is a medical reason for all this. I know the HV will just tell me to puree to a very watery consistency but I really don't want to go down that route if I can help it.

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LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 07/04/2009 21:12

so, if you offer v v runny puree , and she still cannot swallow, it might indicate she has a bit of an issue, but if she can swallow milk , then you would think she would swallow runny puree. i would try something v v runny, like milk consistency, and then try something thicker and thicker until she is on mush then finger foods and see how you go. if the chocking is continuing, and no apparent reason, you can ask fora referral to a pead.

Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 07/04/2009 21:25

Thanks lulu. I haven't offered anything so runny she can't get it stuck to her fingers.

Perhaps I need to try some baby rice after all.

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LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 07/04/2009 21:26

don;t bother with rice. you could do some finely pureed apple or pear or carrot. goes v liquidy

Habbibu · 07/04/2009 21:30

You can also ask for referral to paediatric SALT - they know lots and lots about swallowing. Actually, moony might know something - not sure if it's really her area.

Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 07/04/2009 21:32

Okay, might try over the weekend. She's been bf so wonder if her gag reflex has always just been bypassed so still strong.

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Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 07/04/2009 21:35

Thanks Habbibu I'm seeing one tomorrow at the surestart centre. BS is already a small concern because of her tight upper lip, - but that affects her drinking, not her swallowing iirc.

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ruty · 08/04/2009 08:59

dd was like this at 6 months. I'm afraid i didn't go to the docs perhaps i should have. It is only recently, at around 10 months, that she has started eating properly. Tried to do BLW but have had to give her some runny purees on the way. But she is now eating much better.

reikizen · 08/04/2009 09:03

I don't suppose she was in special care at any point was she? Or had a nasogastric tube passed for any reason?

Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 08/04/2009 09:30

No, she was born on her due date a good 7lb 5oz.

I don't mind if she never eats solids (well for a good while yet). I am quite happy to avoid the faff and keep bfing, but I'm starting to get tetchy about her being able to get adequate nutrition (iron) in a few months.

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Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 08/04/2009 09:31

ruty, do you think it is just a matter of waiting?

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Rhubarb · 08/04/2009 09:34

Starlight, at 7 months old she shouldn't need purees. Just steam the veg until it's nice and soft and then mash it with a fork.
If your meat is soft you can usually mash that too.
And if you want to stick to blw, I think they have no objection to mashing food, they just don't use a spoon. I think, either that or they do use a spoon but they give it to the baby to use. Summat like that anyway.

TortillaDeMaiz · 08/04/2009 09:37

Has she been checked for allergies? I don't know if it makes sense, but it also causes choking, isn't it? even if she's not allergic to the food she's putting into her mouth but there is some cross contamination.

ruty · 08/04/2009 09:39

i feel bad that i didn't do more about it now. I was just so neurotic with ds, pfb, that i thought the gp would just roll her eyes at me. With dd i just kept offering her stuff and from 6-8 months i think the only thing she'd eat was runny fruit purees and baby rice. she'd always gag and appear to choke with pieces of food. from around 8/9 months she started eating small bit of toast and butter. Only in last few weeks [11 months] is she eating pieces of avocado, mango, chicken [tho she usually chews and spits out]cheese, baked beans, yoghurt. I ought to be worried about iron, i think i'll try getting some more meat into her. maybe try a puree again.

TortillaDeMaiz · 08/04/2009 09:40

also, don't get too stuck on the idea of BLW, it won't hurt to do some purees, if that's what she needs.

giantkatestacks · 08/04/2009 09:42

starlight - how is she with yoghurt and suchlike? It sounds like shes just not ready for solids - which is the main part of blw isnt it - being ready I mean.

Sorry though - that sounds really stressful.

Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 08/04/2009 09:43

Oh no ruty your posts are reassuring. SHe has obviously managed to progress and didn't get 'stuck' not being able to swallow iyswim.

Rhubarb She chokes on mash

My DS was eating everything at a Toby Carvery whole just before 6 months and he gagged A LOT, but would still manage it.

Baby Starlight just can't get it down and goes a lot redder for longer and it is silent.

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Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 08/04/2009 09:44

Not tried yoghurt. Perhaps I'll give it a go.

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Rhubarb · 08/04/2009 09:46

Hmm, I don't think she's ready yet starlight. Are you still breastfeeding her? My friend exclusively bf her baby until he was 8 months old, so I wouldn't worry about her getting enough iron and so on, she'll get everything she needs from your milk. I put the weaning process back another month and try again later.

giantkatestacks · 08/04/2009 09:47

Just thought that she could practice the swallowing - or you could see how the swallowing is but without the chance of choking iyswim. But I know it messes with the blw concept but think thats less important than you working out whats going on...

Original poster
StarlightMcEggzie · 08/04/2009 10:03

Yes I'm breastfeeding.

giantkatestacks I'm not a BLWer particularly, - just an 'easylifer' and tbh if there is any chance of delaying the whole faff then I'll welcome it with open arms (especially as I'm trying to potty train no.1 and my usual strategy of picking up food from the floor and giving it right back isn't such a good idea atm)

But, I worry a bit, - and have HV on my back. Her strategy will to be give baby rice at thicker and thicker consistency over the next month, - and if there is anyway I can avoid that I will, - especially if it is unnecessary in the great scheme of things.

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