Most babies are ready to start solids at around five to six months. While this is an exciting milestone, sometimes the transition can be challenging especially when your baby may gag when trying new foods.
Why do Babies Gag
“Gagging is a natural protective reflex that results in the contraction of the back of the throat to protect us from choking,” said SolidStarts.com. “The gag happens automatically, initiating
a rhythmic bottom-up contraction of your pharynx (the tube that leads to your stomach) to assist in bringing food up and to stop the swallowing reflex from making our bodies try to swallow.”
Gagging can be a normal reflex of starting this new habit but it’s also important to ensure that you are taking the correct steps to prevent gagging or choking on foods. First off, it’s important that your baby is ready for solids. VeryWell Health advises that infants should have the following traits:
• Hold up their head
• Open their mouth for the spoon
• Physically move the food from the front of the mouth to the back
• Reach for food
• Big enough to sit upright
What to do When Baby Gags
If your infant starts to gag when eating, remember that they are learning this new habit, and this can be a response. “When you start feeding solids around 6 months, your child’s gag reflex is farther forward in the mouth — it’ll move back in the throat as they age,” said Children’s Wisconsin Hospital. “Because of that, coughing, gagging, and expelling food are expected during the first few months of solids.”
The Children’s Wisconsin Hospital advises that parents not try to remove the food when a baby starts to gag as you could move it back farther in their throats.
Of course, parents should carefully observe their child to ensure that gagging does not turn into choking. SolidStart.com says “true choking is when the airway is obstructed, and the baby is having trouble breathing.” Parents are advised to learn infant CPR so that they can immediately treat a choking infant.
While some gagging on foods for infants is customary, parents should be aware if their baby is constantly doing it while eating solids. They could not be ready for solids yet.
“Some children have trouble learning how to eat solid foods. These children may simply take longer than their peers to get the hang of it. While they’re learning, they may resist solid foods or gag
on them,” said VeryWell Health. “Other children have a physical difference in the mouth, tongue, or throat…These children struggle with the muscle coordination that’s needed to chew and swallow without choking or gagging.”
According to VeryWell Health, other reasons for gagging may include swollen tonsils or adenoids, sensory processing disorder, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). “GERD refers
to chronic acid reflux that may affect a person’s quality of life and damage their esophagus. Babies with GERD need [close] monitoring and may benefit from treatment like medications,” said the Cleveland Clinic.
If gagging becomes a persistent problem or begins to occur suddenly, it’s best to consult your pediatrician to assess if there is a more serious problem like GERD or if you need to try different foods that provide a better transition for your child. Remember, every child is different and progress at their own pace.
Related Articles:
The Dangers of Energy Drinks and our Kids