This is very important topic to understand for new parents who are going to start solid journey of their little ones. Choking and gagging is considered same most of the time but they are not. In fact they are completely opposite. To the first time parents, it may look same but for your child's safety it is important for you to understand difference between two.
Choking Choking occurs when baby's airway is blocked due to some obstruction in air passage and child may not be able to breathe.
Gagging: It is a natural phenomenon that prevents choking. In fact gagging reflux is not present only in babies, it is there in adults too. To understand gagging, imagine what happens when you take tooth brush too far in the mouth. you feel like vomiting, pushing it out. Right? This is gagging. Because of this reflex, we prevent choking otherwise we may choke accidently. Same reflux is present in babies too but it is triggered at the front of tongue and as they grow it shifts to back. That is why babies initially gag more especially in the beginning of weaning process. Gagging occurs because baby is not yet skilled with chewing or moving food in mouth and they may get choked accidently. Gagging prevents choking to happen. How beautifully and smartly nature protects our little kids from choking.
How to differentiate between two: Just follow this simple rule
Loud and Red let them go ahead, silent and blue they need help from you.
If baby is active, coughing and his face turn red, it is gagging but if she has gone completely silent and face is turning blue, it is definitely not gagging. Baby is choking. Help them immediately without delay of single second.
Should I help/interrupt my baby while gagging: No, not at all. Your baby doesn't need your help while gagging. In fact by interrupting you may make situation bad for them. They can actually choke if you try to interfere. Just remember, gagging is completely safe and a natural process. So you just need to relax and wait for baby to spit out. After it is done, you can gently rub baby's back and give them a close hug but please don't intervene while gagging.
- Whole nuts, grapes, blueberries or fruit of similar shape, candy, chips are choking hazards. So don't offer them whole.
- nuts should be offered in powdered form
- grapes, blueberries etc. should be quartered (cut horizontally and then vertically).
- candy should also be crushed before offering.
- Keep a close eye on child while eating whether you follow BLW or traditional weaning. Never ever leave an eating child because God forbid, if baby chokes he will not be able to make noise.
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