N.M. asks from Denver, CO on January 05, 2009
Banana Gagging?
My 6 month old son recently tried banana for the first time and he gagged everytime i tried to feed it to him (like he tasted it and then would gag). He eats rice cereal and avocado and this is his third food. Is it just an initial reaction that will change or does he not like bananas? Should I keep trying to give it to him (I dont want him to have bad association with food though)? Has this happened with anyone else and bananas?
So What Happened?™
WOW this is so cool to be able to hear everyone elses experience (this is my first request)! Thanks for responding! I tried again a day later mixed with some rice cereal and breastmilk and it went over without gagging. Doesnt seem to like it as much as the avocado or rice cereal still, it must be too sweet or wierd texture i imagine. so we are on to sweet potatoes in a couple days... or maybe carrots??? this is a very exciting time!!! thanks all!
Featured Answers
E.S. answers from Fort Collins on January 06, 2009
I watch a little girl who also recently started on solids. She didn't like bananas either and would occasionally gag after tasting them. Keep trying. Kids often have to be introduced to new foods 10-15 times before they decide they like them. The little girl I watch now likes bananas...after about a month of trying them on and off throughout the month.
S.H. answers from Denver on January 06, 2009
My son was the same way. I just stopped giving it to him for a couple months, and then he loved it. No worries. Happy feeding!
S.
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A.M. answers from Denver on January 06, 2009
My daughter did the same thing! We gave her a 2 week break (per pediatrician recommendation) and then tried again. However, on the 2nd try, I mashed the bananas, added equal parts of water (to dilute) and then some oatmeal cereal to get the desired consitency. She loves this combination now. I think she gagged and pushed the mashed bananas away the 1st time because they were too sweet. However, once I watered them down, she took to it right away. Good luck!
D.K. answers from Denver on January 06, 2009
He is being very normal. If he turned his head I would say stop the bananas as he may not like them, but gagging is a reflex they have little control over. Make sure it is blended up and mashed and give him smaller bites.
My daughter had a very strong gag reflex and I kind of waited to try textures with her, my son however had no issues and ate more texture by the time he was 6 mos.
Try applesauce, sweet potatoes as well.
Do not worry about bad food association, it is a normal reflex babies have. Mix this stuff with the cereal and see if that helps. Keep trying and good luck! I loved this stage when mine were little.
S.H. answers from Denver on January 06, 2009
My son was the same way. I just stopped giving it to him for a couple months, and then he loved it. No worries. Happy feeding!
S.
N.M. answers from Salt Lake City on January 06, 2009
The exact same thing happened with my son at about the same age. I just waited a few more weeks till he was more used to different textures. He's 8 months now and loves bananas.
E.S. answers from Fort Collins on January 06, 2009
I watch a little girl who also recently started on solids. She didn't like bananas either and would occasionally gag after tasting them. Keep trying. Kids often have to be introduced to new foods 10-15 times before they decide they like them. The little girl I watch now likes bananas...after about a month of trying them on and off throughout the month.
M.L. answers from Denver on January 06, 2009
HI N.,
I used to mash avocado and banana together,my baby girl loved it.
She still wont eat banana on it's own and she is 3 1/2.
Good luck,
M..
S.R. answers from Denver on January 06, 2009
I would wait awhile and then try it again. My son absolutely loves bananas, but gaggeed the frist couple of times he had avacado. Then he ate avacado for awhile. Then not again. They do this sort of thing. Just offer it again after awhile and see whether or not he has changed his mind. Don't try to force it. You want only good associations with eating time. You don't want to turn it into a power struggle.
S.P. answers from Great Falls on January 06, 2009
My kids did the same thing. I think it might be the texture. Keep trying. Good luck!!!
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