Dealing With Gagging and Choking

Dealing With Gagging and Choking

Your baby has a lot to learn about eating food, including chewing and swallowing. He gets practice as he swallows solid foods and sucks on his fingers and toys.

He may even go through a stage of gagging himself with his fingers. Try to stay calm. After awhile, he will learn how far back he can put things in his mouth.

Your baby may gag if he has too much food in his mouth or doesn't like a certain food. Toddlers and preschoolers sometimes gag when they are forced to eat something they don't like.

Watch for choking

Your baby's windpipe is smaller than yours. It is easy for him to choke on food. don't give your baby:

* nuts

* peanut butter, caramel candy, or other thick, sticky food

* whole grapes

* large chunks of raw fruits or vegetables

* chunks of meat

* hot dogs cut in round slices (instead, cut them lengthwise and then dice them)

* raisins

* pieces of bacon

* popcorn

* hard candy

Cut your baby's food into small pieces and just give him a little at a time. Never leave your baby alone while he is eating. You may want to take a CPR class so you know what to do in case he begins to choke.