Difference between child gagging versus choking

When I ask parents why they haven’t transitioned their child to more textured foods or table foods—many tell me they are afraid of choking.

Many people who are afraid of Baby-led weaning are also afraid of choking.

This is a justified fear in that it’s hard to trust what a baby can do when you have never seen them do it.

As parents, it’s important to know what to do in the event your child is choking.

This is VITAL regardless of whether you do purees or BLW.

I find that parents delay the introduction of more textured foods because of this fear.

First, it’s important to know the difference between gagging and choking.

In gagging, you want to allow the child to work this out on their own.

Standing up, slapping their back, and having fear on your face can startle them and can potentially cause them to choke as they work this gagging out on their own.

Gagging is a natural process infants (and toddlers) have as they learn to tolerate more textured foods. It’s a protective mechanism that is triggered by food hitting the tongue and back of their mouth. Adults even gag as well!

Second, it’s important to know the signs of choking.

In choking, we need to intervene immediately.

When Ryaan was 9 months old, he choked on a piece of watermelon. I immediately got him out of the high-chair and delivered three back blows to dislodge the piece. It was a scary moment, but a skill I want every parent to have.

It’s vital that every caregiver to a child takes an infant/child first aid and CPR course, but as you navigate solid foods I think it’s important to know how to navigate these fears and ease yourself into self-feeding if YOU are afraid.