7.5 month old gagging to the point of vomiting when eating solids?

Question

Please forgive me for asking the same question twice in one day, but I am hoping to get some answers this time... if anyone even knows what to say.

My son is starting to gain interest in solids. He doesn't want to be fed, only self-fed.. which is of course okay (or typically). He takes small bites and chews really well, but always gags and winds up vomiting when he eats. I know a little bit of gagging is normal from time to time, but he does it every time (and the food is wet and squishy). And he doesn't just spit up a little... vomit literally shoots out of his mouth in a few bursts. I am not trying to be dramatic, but I am at a loss. I would feel bad to not let him have food now that he wants it, but vomiting daily just doesn't sound normal to me. Has this ever happened to you or do you have any suggestions?

Answer 1

my baby gags every time she eats.  i have to actually mix rice cereal in with her food or oatmeal, to lesses the strong tastes for her.  shes still not eating just plain jarred food.  also i dilute it with some water.  hope this helps. oh and make sure its warm, keep reheating it if you dont.  i know when my babies foods cold when she starts to gag.

Answer 2

Is it actual adult food or baby food? If it's adult food, maybe he's not ready for that just yet. My only thought is to try different foods, which I'm sure you have done. My little girl gagged and vomited on Peas and on Peaches, but has done well on everything else. Does he do it with rice cereal or oatmeal? Maybe he sticks the spoon or his fingers too far down his throat and that brings on the gag reflex which makes him throw up. Does he do well with drinking formula or breastmilk? Or does he vomit that up too?

I'd talk to your doctor about this one. These are the only things I could think of. I hope you find an answer because I feel your pain! Good luck!

Answer 3

Normally I loathe the "contact ur pediatrition!!!" answers on Yahoo! Answers, but -- this is something I would consult a doctor about.

If he can feed himself and chew it seems he is ready for self-feeding of solid food. But vomiting -- almost projectile vomiting -- with anything he eats? Time for a referral to a specialist, I imagine. Good luck.

Answer 4

My son was the same way!!  He is five now and to this day has the worse gag reflex!  The Dr told me to mix a small amount of stage 3 foods with the stage 2 foods to slowly get him used to the texture.  He eventually got it.  I always even had to mix his infant cereal super thin or he would gag and throw up!  Good Luck. It won't last forever, he will be able to eat eventually.

Answer 5

My son had exactly the same problem, he is 11 months old but has only just started eating about half a jar of 4 month baby food. I actually asked pretty much the same question on yahoo answers and received an excellent answer which is the reason why he is actually eating now.

If you like you can go to my questions on my profile, and read the answer that the woman gave me to save me from typing it all out for you (it's long).

Good Luck!

Edit: Actually, I just remembered cut and paste. And to give credit where credit is due this answer was given to me by 'lildioicus'.

I don't think that is normal either. Have you tried extremely small amounts on the spoon? Have you tried small plastic spoons instead of big spoons or metal spoons? Sounds like he has a hyper gag reflex. Not normal. Have you been to see someone at a GI clinic at a major children's hospital somewhere? I would recommend that. Are you still nursing? Or does he just live on bottles of formula? Are you giving him vitamins to supplement his lack of solid foods. Have you tried watering down the food so that it is practically liquid? Can he drink from a straw. I have lots of questions don't I?

Edit. I called a friend who happens to be a pediatrician. Yes it's her day off. And sorry my answer is so long but this really got me going!

She said that maybe perhaps if he sucks on his hands at all that you could put a very small amount and she stressed small amount of something really really delicious like cheese whiz or chocolate pudding on one of his fingers and stick it in his mouth he might start out taking food that way. She also said there may actually be some sort of problem in his esophagus and that you may need to get that checked out to make sure there was no esophageal stenosis or other problems and then if all else checks out it maybe a problem that is neurological especially if he was a preemie baby. Then she added that some kids just hate the feel of anything they are not used to in their mouths. It may be perfectly normal for him.

If you have already had his throat checked out and GI system then my only advice is that I have a child myself who has a really hyper gag reflex. The doctor decided with him it was just that he didn't like anything that was the least bit different. He gagged with everything too. He would go ahead and eat it but he gagged the whole time. I would just put it down in front of him and I made sure it was cut into super small pieces so that he couldn't hurt himself and he never actually threw up from it. He eventually got over his tendency and even though he still gags at teeth brushing time he is a perfectly normal kid now.

Answer 6

I would contact your pediatrician. They will be able to advise you and give you tips. Good Luck!

Answer 7

gagging and vomiting sounds like a no brainer, stop giving it to him.  Keep him on rice cereal.  If the kids gagging, that's not normal.  He can't chew it properly and is close to choking.  Good luck.

Answer 8

Sounds unusual. And like you're doing everything right. I would take baby to the doctor for diagnosis.  I would also suggest supplementing with pedialyte to insure baby doesn't get dehydrated if he's throwing up that much.