The fear of choking is the biggest concern for parents when it comes to baby-led weaning ( BLW ). Just imagining a baby eating lumps is enough to make our hearts race! Rest assured, by offering foods with textures and sizes adapted to your baby's abilities, there is no more risk of choking with BLW than with traditional weaning . Choking is often confused with the well-known gag reflex, which is perfectly normal and natural.
Take a deep breath, it is by being properly informed that you will be able to calmly offer pieces of food to your little one.
The gag reflex
The gag reflex is designed to protect the airways when a baby is learning to digest solid food. It is a normal part of a baby's development.
At birth, a baby's mouth is designed to prevent them from swallowing solid foods. Indeed, all babies have a gag reflex at the tip of their tongue, causing them to reject food upon first contact. Gradually, this gag reflex moves back towards the back of the throat. It is precisely to stimulate this reflex that babies go through a phase of oral exploration, discovering everything with their mouths.
As soon as a piece of food that's too large enters their mouth, your baby will spontaneously gag. This can sometimes seem very alarming, and yet, your baby isn't choking. This gagging is a gag reflex that lets them know they've put too much in their mouth. Relax, take a deep breath, and above all, observe! Most of the time, your baby will start eating the same piece again as if nothing had happened! When a 6-month-old baby triggers this reflex, the food is still in their mouth, far from their airways.
It will therefore be important to let the baby explore with their mouth to help them reduce their gag reflex.
Signs of the gag reflex
Here are some signs to recognize the gag reflex :
- Baby's face turned red
- He coughs
- He leans forward as if to spit out
- He's drooling
- Sometimes he vomits (the gag reflex can lead to vomiting)
My advice for approaching the situation calmly
- Stay calm, reassuring, and close to the baby
- Offer him some water once he has regained his senses, without forcing him
- Don't pat him on the back
- Don't jump on him while yelling
- Do not reach for the piece in your mouth
Generally, the baby doesn't need help and can expel the obstruction on their own. Make sure they can breathe properly despite gagging.
By remaining as calm as possible, your little one will be relaxed and can continue exploring food in its raw form without fear. You could also unintentionally push the offending piece further down your baby's throat.
The most important thing is to trust your little one!
The wrong path
Aspiration occurs when food enters the wrong passage (at the entrance to the respiratory tract). The baby then coughs to redirect the food towards the digestive tract.
Signs of going down the wrong path
Here are some signs to recognize a false lead :
- Baby suddenly coughs
- It turns red
How should one react to a false lead?
- Stay calm, reassuring, and close to the baby
- Check that the baby is maintaining a good upright position
- Encourage baby to cough
- Don't pat him on the back
Suffocation
When a baby chokes, there is a complete obstruction of the airways with food stuck in the trachea.
How to recognize choking?
- Baby is unable to make any sound, cough, or cry
- He is having difficulty breathing
- Her skin and lips may turn blue
How should you react to someone choking?
- Call emergency services as quickly as possible
- Practice first aid techniques
An answer