Gagging with Solid Foods

I would take her to a feeding clinic to have her evaluated as soon as possible. She might need to start feeding therapy to help her with this problem. Best of luck!

Hello,
I've been reading the responses and think they are all really important to consider. But there is a lot we don't know sitting out here in cyber space.
I would suggest asking a bunch of questions: what does she like to "eat". Mushy, liquid? Does she gag when she drinks?Is she drinking cow milk, breast milk, formula? Water?
Is she healthy otherwise? Teething? Have you tried making your own foods and blending, or mushing them to give her varied textures and tastes? How much control over her meals does she have? Does she show signs of ordering or trying to control other aspects of her day/ night?
I have a child with sensory issues, and sometimes the chewing was uncomfortable, sometimes it was the texture, or the smell or the temperature. And then sometimes it was a behavior issue: something else was stake, but the only way to feel in control was by manipulating what or how or when he ate.
A good friend of mine had a child who ate nothing but yogurt, breast milk, and the occassional "found" cherrio until he was 2. He is fine now. Part of their problem was the parents were forcing the solids on him because they thought he "ought" to be eating them. He refused until he could deal with the food on his own terms. Wait till he is 15!

Now, this is just my opinion about how relationships between children and parents grow but I would submit whatever else the mother does- she has to stop putting food into the baby's mouth. It isn't working -the baby is telling her loud and clear. Imagine what that would be like for you- to have the one person you love over all else not listening to you over something so important- .
And since the direct approach just doesn't work for this baby, make it a game as someone else suggested: let the child put food into her own mouth- mush it up and give her 2 or 3 different little bowls to feed herself from ( i.e. oatmeal,applesauce, peas, carrots, banana)-- even if it means she wears more then she eats--she may discover the joy of eating all by herself. Put down a big splatter mat and just let her play. And you might discover what if anything is bothering her. When she is finished, take a bath. Take photos of her food play and show them to her- if she progresses, eventually you'll have a picture of her feeding herself- she'll have the pride of her own accomplishment, and you'll have pictures she can celebrate with.

If the games and homemade foods don't bring about any change, maybe there is a medical issue. I don't have any experience with that side of eating.

Best of luck,
M.

Hi there. You have every right to be concerned. If I were you I would call Childrens Specialed Hospital Outpatient Center. They have a few locations. Phone # is 888-childrens. They do feeding evaluations. Believe it or not their are a lot of kids with this issue and it does not go away on it's own. I would also suggest calling a Gastro doctor.

Did you try to mix some solids with her fav jar of baby food? Maybe she doesn't like the texture of the food in her mouth. My son started eating solids when he was around 6 months so I never really had problems. He loves to eat noodles so I thought maybe you can cut noodles into really small pieces and mix it with her fav jar of food. She won't even eat the stage 3 foods? Maybe mashed sweet potato's or mashed potato's? I wouldn't worry to much about it because I think she will grow out of it. Also, does she go to daycare at all? I think my son started eating solids early is that he was exposed to other kids that were eating solids in front of him, so he was willing to try anything.
Good Luck!

Ryan's mom

Hi J.
I am the very proud Mom of a 15 month old daughter who still only eats baby food and gags on solids also.
The only "table food" she will take right now is mashed potatoes and others with the same "mush" consistency.
I posted this delema not too long to the mamasource group also.
PLEASE tell your daughter not to stress out.
It may make the situation worse and the baby will get upset more too.
My nephew Kenny was the same way and my Mom says that my brother did this too.
All in due time!
The baby will come around. Eventually she will take some solids and then it will get easier and easier.
I don't know any 20 year olds that are eating baby food, so she will come around when she is ready. Every baby is different. I am sure by the time she is 2 she will be eating everything you offer her.
Good luck and don't stress!!
:)
P.

Hi J.,

Our son, who was always a GREAT eater, also refused solids for a long time. He would eat three large jars of "mush" per meal, but no solids. We finally took him to an allergist, who diagnosed a cat allergy and put him on medication. Within that same week he started eating real food, and has been a real eating champ since then. We are convinced that somehow he wasn't breathing well, which made chewing very uncomfortable.

It's worth a shot!

Tell your daughter not to stress and try not to make an issue out of it. Just keep trying, just put the food on the tray everyday small pieces and a small amount. You will be surprised one day she will start eating. Has she tried giving her utensils to try to feed herself. I do it all of the time at my daycare. Just pierce a small piece of food on a fork and hand it to them. You will be surprised how much they love to do things themselves. Do the same with the spoon it can be messy but it is all part of them learning to feed themselves. Good luck!!

You should ask her pediatrician if he/she recommends your granddaughter to be evaluated by Early Intervention services (which are free) to perhaps provide speech or occupational therapy for feeding issues. Perhaps your granddaughter is a little slow to outgrow her tongue-thrust reflex (which all babies are born with but usually outgrow by toddlerhood). And/or she could have "sensory integration" issues if she is bothered by the texture of solid foods that need to be chewed. Another option is to get her evaluated at the NYU Swallowing Disorder Center (they have pediatric specialists). My daughter is 17-months old and also has issues with wanting to eat solid/chewable foods, so I have been learning a lot about it recently. In the meantime, frequently keep letting her practice eating with cheerios and puffs, and try stabbing other foods with a (toddler-sized) fork and seeing if she will self-feed so she is more in control of feeding.

Hi J.,
The texture of the food probably bothers her. I would keep on offering solids to her. She'll come around, eventually. My daughter now 2.5, hated vegetables. I would give her the babyfood veggies, but offered her regular first. She came around and now loves to eat her vegetables.

Do you think it might be sensory issues? The only reason I ask this is because I work with children and families and sometimes some children that I noticed that have those exact "issues" when not realized will have sensory issues. The only way to find out is to ask your doctor for a referal to get testing done. Once established if there are sensory issues or concers you can get a nutritionist and worker that can you help with the baby and feeding.

I hope this helps...

Hi J.
I am writing because I too had a gagger. She was 2 1/2 when MD finally agreed to send her for upper GI. Nothing was found. So why am I writing. Well it is because much later I found out that I was using the wrong terminology.
Ok you might know but I didn't so here is what I learned.
That my 2 1/2 year old had nothing wrong, but she was showing signs of malnourishment, according to the Ear, Nose throat specialist. She stayed borderline, til 12yrs. There has been many diagnosis, but the one that actually has helped is that she had a malfunctioning gag reflux mechanism. The reason it was not diagnosed sooner is because I always said she was gagging. At about 6 the MD told me it was just normal, and I stopped mentioning it. OOOooops that is when the MD who finally diagnosed the situation would have done further testing if I had said she was throwing up. I didn't. If they spit out what they gag up they are throwing up no matter how much.
The MD at 12 after 28 days in the hospital and talking of sending her home on a feeding tube, begged her to try a shake one more time. This time he not an aide or nurse sat with her and kept pleading. Well she drank the mouthful that she knew would make her gag. After all, she was 12 yo, and had been doing it for years. She hated to gag in front of people so would not eat that bit that put her over the edge. Ok so, he gave her some meds and they certainly helped.
My advice is to keep telling the MD, keep making an issue, and no matter what is said make sure it gets on the records. Tell exactly what is happening. Don't assume that the MD understands you. Trust me it is easier at 2 than it is at 12, especially if there is not record of continued problems. I really did get tired of hearing the same response, and although I knew it was not normal, she ate enough to not panic. Wrong decision.
God bless you
Please let me know what you find out.
K. SAHM married 38 years === adult children 37, coach; 33, lawyer, married with 8 mo; and twin girls/

I would stick to what she likes. Guess Mom just needs to
chose her battles. She obviously has a hyper gag
reflex. mealtime will become a battleground and so
not worth it. She will eventually eat solid foods,
just a little later.

She may have a strong gag reflex. I would let her eat whatever she will eat for a while. Let her play with her food. Give her forks and spoons and let her make a mess in the high chair. Some kids dont like certain textures. I know kids who grew like weeds just eating butter noodles. She is old enough to know how to play those lovely kid games they love to play with mama. Try not to make to much of a big deal out of it. If moms stressed about it so will she. I also seen something on The Dr's where a young child wouldnt eat. So they all sat down to dinner with food on everyone elses plate but the childs. they had all the food on the table for his to access. They all ignored him and ate their dinner. He started eating everything on the table. It was amazing. I wish I had known that when my oldest was younger. He is almost 8 and is a very picky eater. Good Luck

First I would have her checked by the doctor. Assuming all is okay, I understand, my daughter has done the same thing. One day I just decided to stop feeding her, and let her feed herself. I stopped stressing about it, and she took off from there. Now she has good days and bad days, but for the most part eats well. She still gags sometimes, but not as much when she's feeding herself.

Hi J.,

Are u eating meals with her-so that she sees u eating the same foods? Also try a tv or a dvd player w a show she likes while u spoon feed her, distraction may help. Or put plate in front of her w a toy nearby- she can feed herself then get a treat.
Did u check for food allergies?
Good luck!

Check her tongue. I know it seems silly but she could be tongue tied.
I have had a couple of students with this AND my daughter. Although,
I found it in my daughter at one week old and took care of it. As they get
older there aren't many options but, it causes food aversions and language
impediments that can be overcome.

P.