How do I get over this?

[~Hestia~]

I'm having trouble coping with giving DS finger food!! So far I've only given him cruskits & I'm silently freaking out the entire time. I thought they were a good start as they would kinda dissolve - DS scraps at them with his teeth until a bit breaks off. If the bit is too big I've been taking it out of his mouth, if small enough he swallows it but geez, is my heart in my mouth until it's gone!! We've had a couple of hairy moments but he actually does very well. I know it's my issue & don't show DS I'm scared
I'm the same with the chunks in his food. I know he has to have lumps & finger food but I'm so petrified he's going to choke I really have to force myself.
How do I get over this fear? How does everyone else cope with the bits & chunks?
I'm giving him steamed veggies with his food tonight, sooo nervous

[Olive]

aww its normal to worry but remember that why babies have a gag reflex

[Rivlas]

Yeah, your worry is normal and something all parents have moments with.

Just wait til he is a bit older and is literally stuffing his mouth full. Oh the joys of kids feeding.
In time he will eating nicely and food will not be something that will disappear before his eyes if he doesn't eat it fast.

[Blujella]

Hi,

I have 2 little boys and am also a paramedic, so please be reassured your little treasure won't choke! Little ones actually have quite good control over what goes in their mouths and are great at manipulating things with their tongues. As soon as they begin to swallow their wind pipe in covered securely so that thigs can't go down the wrong way. If something does get 'stuck' in his thorat and you see him gagging, it is most likely in the right spot and not going to choke him, its just a piece slightly too large and feeling uncomfortable so he uses his muscles to bring it back up.

The good news is by persisting and moving on to lumpy foods and finger foods, you are actually really helping his development. Children who have acces to a wide variety of different foods and different consistancy have much better control over all oral muscles and tend to develop language skills earlier and more clearly.

Let your child be the judge- if the food is too hard for him he will figure it out. Once you have pushed through a few times it will get easier.

Good luck witn the vegies tonight!

Blu

[Shades]

:yeahthat:
As long as he is sitting upright and not reclining back his own gag reflex will keep him safe, it's scary to watch but it's very efficient... it's also triggered further forward in the mouth the younger we are so it's not as close to choking him as you imagine. As long as he is making noise there is air getting through so just trust in him as much as you can