Introducing table food and constant gagging

DS is 8 months and has done amazing with all the baby foods, meat included. Now that we are starting to introduce table food. Tiny, tiny pieces. He gets it in his mouth, doesn't know what to do, starts gagging, and sometimes throws up.

Ive tried scrambled egg, the tiniest piece. Ive tried tiny pieces of Puffs. I sit in front of him and pretend I'm chewing so he copies me, but he looks at me like I'm crazy.

Any suggestions??

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

This was DD, exactly. She gagged on anything that was too big or too dry for a while. Now at 19 months she eats everything in every form so first of all, it will be OK. In fact this morning she would have shoved a whole waffle in if she could have. He'll get there. Here is what I did.

Let him watch you and your family eat, every meal if possible.

I made my own baby food so I started to thicken the consistency and then started putting tiny pieces of very soft (well cooked) vegetables, I slowly increased the consistency.

At about 8 or 9 months was when she started eating puffs and cheerios successfully. I just kept giving them to her and letting her see me eat them.

Even now if I give her too big of a bite of even oatmeal she gags but I pretty much know as long as it's not too big of a spoonful she is OK.

I NEVER EVER leave her alone for a second when she eats. I have even rolled the high chair over to the bathroom door so I can watch her.

I talked to ped about it and they didn't see it as an issue as DD has always been in the 75th percentile for weight. If you are concerned I'd bring it up at your next visit but I think he'll get it.

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

Took My Son till closer to 10 months to understand chewing and swallowing better.

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

My son didn't really get this until a year or a little over. He constantly gagged and threw up a lot. I think some of it was him having trouble chewing and swallowing, and some just him rejecting a new texture.

It's fine--I know I got worried because it seemed like most kids I saw his age were popping finger food in their mouths, no problem. I wouldn't push too hard, just keep introducing things periodically. I think watered down eggs and puffs were the first two things he could eat--half a puff, not a whole puff. He also did a little better with soup or dipping food in sauce, like a bit of waffle in yogurt.

I agree, let her see you eat also. At some point I realized I almost never ate in front of DS, so he had no opportunity to see how you bite, chew, and swallow.

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

Cailen gagged until after his 1st bday!!!!

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

My 9 month did this too...every few days I would reintroduce foods for him to try...eventually he got the hang of it. I make my food, started making it a little lumpy, not mashing bananas as much, also would take a cheerio and smush it into fine pieces and add to a few spoonfuls to the pears (since he LOVES pears). We also have one of those net things...where you put a piece of fruit into it and they eat it...it's just been the last week but he finally got the hang of it...your baby will get there!

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

Just keep trying and he'll figure it out! My ds was like this too and now at 9 1/2 months, he wants to eat anything you put in his mouth. He still gags here or there, but usually only when introducing something new.

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

I feel your pain! I have an 8 month old to and I gave him 1 piece of pastina 1 !and he was gagging! Ill keep trying as well! :)

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging

Thanks everyone. Ive been reading other posts about children around the same age as my son who are trying so many foods, and I got so nervous.

I mashed up some puffs today, and he did better. I make the chewing motions and sounds. And we had some ground up chicken for dinner, tiny tiny spoonfulls and he did OK. He still lets it sit on his tongue, and he still gagged.

We will just keep trying, day by day.

Re: Introducing table food and constant gagging