• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Immunocompromised Care
    • Top Blacks in Healthcare
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Wellness / Baby's Health Center / The Important Difference Between Choking, Gagging & Coughing In Babies

The Important Difference Between Choking, Gagging & Coughing In Babies

choking gagging coughing

Choking and gagging are usually the most serious concerns when introducing meals to your infant. This is important since we want to keep our babies safe while increasing their confidence with solids. Choking is perhaps the most common reason parents avoid baby-led weaning and introducing finger foods from the start.

Staying Calm & Confident At Mealtime

You want to make mealtime enjoyable for your infant so that they establish a positive connection with food. Whether you start solids with your baby immediately or after a few months of purees, recognizing and comprehending the components of safe feeding is critical. Because you and your baby are inextricably linked, your baby will know if mealtime is not a relaxing event for you.

Differences In Choking, Gagging & Coughing

Choking occurs when the airway is fully blocked. You don’t often hear of a baby choking with baby-led weaning when parents and caregivers are trained on food size, shape, and texture.

Gagging and coughing are loud and dramatic. Younger babies’ gag reflex is far-front but travels back as they mature. This helps kids avoid choking while learning to eat and release anything rapidly if needed. A baby’s gag reflex moves back about 6-8m and should be fully returned by 12m.

You May Also Like
13 Signs You Need to See a Dermatologist

Babies have more taste receptors in the rear of their mouths, which shift forward as they mature since that’s where breast or bottled milk is administered the first half-year of their lives.

Gagging might be terrifying for parents because it’s so dramatic, but it’s normal and part of a baby’s learning process. Gagging helps newborns grasp food size and form to swallow properly.

RELATED: New Parents’ Guide To Feeding Your Baby The First Year

Safe Eating

At all times, a baby should be seated upright, and they should be able to manage what goes into and out of their mouth. It’s best not to remove any food from your baby’s mouth if they’re gagging.

Instead, you should rely on your baby’s gag reaction to force the food out. The same holds true if they shove too much food into their mouths at once or devour a portion of food that you think is too large for them. This is because if you put your finger in their mouth to assist them in expelling the food, you run the danger of pushing it back beyond their gag reflex and increasing their risk of choking. Having only meals that are suitable for infants is thus essential.

You May Also Like
Find out about the SUPERNOVA study for the prevention of COVID-19 in people with an impaired immune system

There are several potential causes for infant vomiting while starting solid foods. If the gagging continues, the next natural reaction is vomiting, which helps the infant expel any remaining food. The impulse to throw up is

Continue Reading

The Latest In Baby's Health Center

SIDS

SIDS Rate Increases in Black Infants, Tips For Protecting Your Child

During the first year of the pandemic, the United States saw a spike in the number of Black infants who died suddenly — worsening a longstanding disparity, a new government study finds. The increase was seen in what's called sudden read more about SIDS Rate Increases in Black Infants, Tips For Protecting Your Child
infant formula

Abbott Announces Recall of Infant Formula Over Defective Caps

Abbott Inc. has announced that it is again recalling some of its infant formula products, though the company said this latest recall is small and should not significantly impact nationwide supply. This recall was triggered by the fact that some read more about Abbott Announces Recall of Infant Formula Over Defective Caps

2 Million Baby Swings and Rockers Recalled after Infant Death

Millions of everyday baby products that pose a serious health risk to infants have been recalled, after the strangulation death of a 10-month-old and close call involving another child according to an announcement Monday from the US Consumer Product Safety read more about 2 Million Baby Swings and Rockers Recalled after Infant Death
baby formula

Why Home-Made Baby Formula Is a Bad Idea

If you're having trouble finding infant formula for your baby due to the nationwide shortage, do not turn to homemade recipes, an expert warns. "Even the best intentions can have devastating results," says Dr. Diane Calello, a pediatrician and director of read more about Why Home-Made Baby Formula Is a Bad Idea
breast milk

6 Natural Ways To Increase Your Breast Milk Production

The time has come to feed your little one and you want to start off on the right foot! They say “breast is best”, but this natural nectar may not come as easy to some. The good news is that read more about 6 Natural Ways To Increase Your Breast Milk Production
baby formula

As Baby Formula Shortage Continues, Experts Offer Guidance to Parents

A nationwide baby formula shortage continues across the United States, with desperate parents scouring shelves to find nutrition for their infants. Millions of babies rely on formula -- the only source of nutrition recommended for infants who aren't exclusively breastfed. read more about As Baby Formula Shortage Continues, Experts Offer Guidance to Parents

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’
  • ‘COVID Toes’ Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease'COVID Toes' Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease
  • 7 Foods That Replenish Your Liver7 Foods That Replenish Your Liver
  • Football Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes AmputatedFootball Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes Amputated
  • Relationship Goals: Couple Loses Nearly 200 Pounds Together!Relationship Goals: Couple Loses Nearly 200 Pounds Together!

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.