9 mos w/eating/gagging issues

[Anonymous]

Baby is just about 9 months and still gagging on food. He was eating some chunky food (like real oatmeal) for the past month but now won't eat anything like that at *all*. All he will eat is super pureed food (yogurt, banana pureed with avacado, etc) Forget about him feeding himself any solid food and eating it. Tonight he gagged on baby rice cereal mixed with smushed sweet potato and yogurt.

Does anyone elses baby this age gag on food? I am afraid he will never eat anything but baby food (or choke on something like oatmeal!) His gag reflex is so strong now and it was not always this bad.

I should mention that he has been sick (the croup) and we have already been to the doc twice this week. I keep forgetting to mention this food thing to the ped and now he seems to be getting better but the food issue is worse (though at least he ate something tonight even though it was only yogurt. He would not eat at all the rest of this past week.)

[Anonymous]

Maybe his throat is sore and sensitive from all the coughing?

[Anonymous]

My dc's gag reflex lasted until almost 10 months old. So no solids until then. Ped wasn't worried and I found out it's not that uncommon.

[Anonymous]

Don't worry about this. Some babies have a stronger gag reflex. Our daughters lasted until almost 10 months. Taking small sips from a sippy cup (water or formula) seemed to help. Even at 11 months, she still gags once in awhile, but it is much better.

[Anonymous]

My almost 3 year old was like this, too, and my 8.5 month old is the same way. My older son now eats like a champ, although we do have to watch him sometimes still (ex. the other week I gave him a Hershey Kiss with Almonds and he must not have liked the feel of the nuts because he started gagging and threw up a little bit). Anyway, I was really worried with him, but he got over it, and now with my 8.5 month old, I am trying not to let it get to me. He can only pretty much tolerate puffs without gagging and hates being fed from a spoon, so he pretty much eats formula and puffs right now. I will bring it up with my ped. at his 9 month appt. but I am not really worried since he is still gaining weight and definitely can eat pureed food.

[bigmaman]

If he's been croup-y, be happy he's able/willing to eat solids at all. I bet that he'll be back to eating like his old self as soon as he's feeling better.

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone! I feel better

[Anonymous]

My baby is still gagging on the chunkiest stuff (level 3 baby foods - not all) and she's one. It could be worse. She won't eat anything that doesn't come out of a jar and only one brand (earth's best). She's thriving though, super strong, healthy. I am worried about it too but I figure in time she will start to show an interest and learn to chew.

[Anonymous]

My 10 month old is the same way. Its so strange. He will eat baby food stage 2, oatmeal, and even Gerber's toddler mashers with mashed sweet potato, yogurt, and carrots. He gags and relex vomits mashed avocado, mashed pototoes that were almost pureed and has yet to take a puff. He has had no finger foods or stage 3 yet.

[Anonymous]

My 12 month old is still on stage 2 purees also. He does finger foods, but they go in his mouth and then right back out. If a bit does get past his tongue he starts to gag. He's going to be seeing an OT about it to help him work through this, though. I hope it is something he grows out of, though.

[Anonymous]

Is it a texture thing?