[mommamarci]

Originally Posted by karla-k

I too think that it is a tad too early to worry about sensory issues. Just feed him what he'll eat and introduce other things along with it. He'll get there.

I have to respectfully disagree... The first sign for us that there was a problem was when we tried to introduce puffs. We cut them into about 5 pieces and he still gagged, choked, puked, etc. I called the ped at about 10 months and was blown off. We finally went in for a barium swallow study at about a year (after switching to a new ped). They said it was one of the worst cases of sensory gag issues they had ever seen and we waited too long and missed the optimal window to fix it. Ten months is exactly when intervention needs to happen if there is an issue.

Now, I am not trying to freak you out, but I knew something was wrong and no one would listen to me. If you want specifics or want to share more specifics, I can tell you more about Cameron's issues.

One thing I have learned is this is a very lonely affliction to have. I have not met anyone in real life dealing with a child with this issue. I am constantly told I am a bad, mean mommy because I won't just let him have a cookie... People don't realize this is an actual medical issue.

Hopefully it is nothing for you!

[aclee]

Originally Posted by Fran27

Mine don't like my homemade food either... They gag. They're fine with cheerios and puffs though. Have you tried those? I'm still trying to figure out what the next step will be, considering that them putting the food in their mouth is more miss than hit still.

I might try stage 3 purees today...

I think you just have to find the "break through" food. Food where when they put it in their mouth, they HAVE to have more. For Ty it was grilled cheese. Easy to pick up, didn't feel slimy and he loved it. I had to ration how much was on his plate because he was trying to grab handfuls and shove both hands in his mouth. Grilled cheese is a pretty cheap food to make, and you can even make 1/2 of one, so it's not expensive.

When Ty was getting more on the floor than in his mouth, I bought the generics of stuff. My dogs didn't need the "real" puffs, or "real" cheerios. I'm sure yours don't either Fran Walmart makes a generic puff BTW

I think you also have to watch for their midline readiness. If they aren't passing hand to hand frequently then the coordination might not quite be there yet...

[melissa_bear003]

Originally Posted by mommamarci

I have to respectfully disagree... The first sign for us that there was a problem was when we tried to introduce puffs. We cut them into about 5 pieces and he still gagged, choked, puked, etc. I called the ped at about 10 months and was blown off. We finally went in for a barium swallow study at about a year (after switching to a new ped). They said it was one of the worst cases of sensory gag issues they had ever seen and we waited too long and missed the optimal window to fix it. Ten months is exactly when intervention needs to happen if there is an issue.

Now, I am not trying to freak you out, but I knew something was wrong and no one would listen to me. If you want specifics or want to share more specifics, I can tell you more about Cameron's issues.

One thing I have learned is this is a very lonely affliction to have. I have not met anyone in real life dealing with a child with this issue. I am constantly told I am a bad, mean mommy because I won't just let him have a cookie... People don't realize this is an actual medical issue.

Hopefully it is nothing for you!

The reason I suggested a sensory issue is because I've known kidlets that DO exhibit such behaviours quite young, and its exactly how you've described.

I'm NOT saying that's what it is, but it may be worth bringing up to your ped. As I also mentioned in my previous response, my kids wouldn't have anything to do with the chunky baby food...they went from puree to my plate. Weirdos.

[angelkisses0102]

Originally Posted by mommamarci

I have to respectfully disagree... The first sign for us that there was a problem was when we tried to introduce puffs. We cut them into about 5 pieces and he still gagged, choked, puked, etc. I called the ped at about 10 months and was blown off. We finally went in for a barium swallow study at about a year (after switching to a new ped). They said it was one of the worst cases of sensory gag issues they had ever seen and we waited too long and missed the optimal window to fix it. Ten months is exactly when intervention needs to happen if there is an issue.

Now, I am not trying to freak you out, but I knew something was wrong and no one would listen to me. If you want specifics or want to share more specifics, I can tell you more about Cameron's issues.

One thing I have learned is this is a very lonely affliction to have. I have not met anyone in real life dealing with a child with this issue. I am constantly told I am a bad, mean mommy because I won't just let him have a cookie... People don't realize this is an actual medical issue.

Hopefully it is nothing for you!

I agree completely...although our son was not a gagger (until he was about 3/4 years old) we too were blown off by everyone...for years. DS does have sensory issues, feeding and swallowing issues and at age 5 is finally being treated for them (started earlier this year when he was 4.) The hard thing now is that it is also partially behavioral...which is much harder to treat and deal with (and watching his therapy at times hurts us so bad...it can be very traumatic.) Per our feeding therpaist...the sooner our kids get treated...the better it is for them.

If you feel this is an issue...persue it with your pedi. If your pedi is of no help (as our was...and we love her) then go through your areas Early Intervention program to get your child evaluated. It will put your mind at ease if nothing is up and if something is going on...you will begin addressing it while your child is still so very young.

Good luck!

[tomandcate]

I thought our youngest (now almost 2) was going to have problems (and mommamarci was very helpful to me sharing her experience) because he would not eat anything beyond stage 2 at 14 months...not the tiniest piece of puff, not tiny pieces of fruit in his yogurt...he gagged.

Also, he had never once put anything (toy, fingers, nothing) in his mouth, other than a pacifier, and I thought that was very odd.

We kept trying with the puffs and it took until probably 15 months before he would eat those...but once he did it was like a breakthrough and he's been on solids ever since.

I talked to our ped. about my concerns - she was not concerned, I think because he was thriving - but if it had gone on any longer I definitely would have pursued intervention. Don't hesitate, you know what's best for your child and only you are with him every meal, every day.

Cate

[Wisdom]

Melissa bear003 – He will only eat oatmeal (the baby oatmeal). I mix it with formula and have been making it thicker and he eats that. I gave him food directly from my plate a couple of times and he wasn’t interested, even though he looks at it like he wants it. I will check with his pediatrician to see what she says. Hopefully it’s not sensory issues but it could be because his gagging is pretty dramatic.

Tigger2 – He’ll have nothing to do with the puffs. When I first gave him one I broke it into a crumb and he spit it out right away. On Thanksgiving Day I tried giving him a crumb of a cracker and he gagged on that. It was scary and looked like he was choking.

OakShannon - The gagging is pretty dramatic and it looks like he’s choking and it does seem to bother him. I will try the Earth’s food with mashed/ground up food mixed in. Actually this evening we gave him oatmeal with mashed up banana and he didn’t gag as much but did gag. He didn't cry and resist the food though. I also tried giving him mashed banana by itself and he gagged but ate it with no crying. The banana was so mashed that it was pretty smooth though.

Rubi – Well, DS does put other things in his mouth but I noticed he doesn’t pick up small items and put them into his mouth. He just doesn’t seem to like anything small enough to go into his mouth. Once he was biting on one of his books and some of the paper came off and got into his mouth and he hated that. I wonder if that’s where this all started? I remember trying to get the paper out of his mouth and finally got it. I hope I didn’t traumatize him. I don’t know, I’m just trying to figure it out.

Stormster – I hope you’re right. I hope it’s just that he’s used to smooth foods and has to get used to other textures. That’s what DH thinks.


Fran27 – He hates puffs and won’t touch a cheerio. He won’t even give hard foods like that a thought. The other day a friend’s son was eating soft dried apple bits and offered one to our DS. DS pushed it away not even giving it a second thought.

Mommamarci – I’ll pm you. I’d like to know more about Cameron’s sensory issues so I can watch for signs with my own DS.

Aclee – I’ll keep searching for the breakthrough food. The thing is to get it into his mouth long enough so he can taste it and realize he likes it before spitting it out.

Tomandcate – I’m glad everything worked out with your son. Our son will chew on large objects like keys, stuffed animals, books, etc. but I’ve noticed he won't put anything in his mouth small enough to fit into his mouth. He used to take a pacifier but he’s been off of it a while now. It sounds like all of your son’s issues with food are resolved. I’m hoping it’s just that DS is just not ready for other foods yet and it will take time.

I appreciate all of the input. I'm going to contact our pediatrician to see what she thinks. I have a feeling she won't be concerned because DS is thriving. But if it is a sensory issue I'd like to find out as early as possible.

[Fran27]

I'd just like to add that the norm for babies to be on finger foods is 9-10 months... At 8 months mine still gagged on puffs too. They just really took to them one week before 9 months.

I personally wouldn't worry before the 9-10 months appointment.