Parenting Forums

Posted: 14 September 2005 at 8:50pm | IP Logged

I know this is pathetic and I don't want to alarm anyone else but I'm nervous about giving Ellie food with lumps in or stuff to chew on in case she gets it stuck in her throat!  I think I'm nervous because my friend was feeding her baby a few months ago and his food went down the wrong way and she panicked and grabbed him and hit him on his back and stuff - and he got really upset...  I think she overreacted and he would have been ok after a drink or something but I don't know what I'll be like with Ellie - I don't think I'd know what to do - you can't do the heimlich manouvre on a baby can you?  not that I even know how to do it actually -

for you 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th) time mums, what's it like when they have lumps and finger foods?  and am I being silly?  (well ok, am I being REALLY silly lol)

Posted: 14 September 2005 at 9:06pm | IP Logged

I am worried too.  I want to do the baby first aid course incase of things like that.  I am sure we will both do fine xx Goodluck got a little while yet hun xxx

Posted: 14 September 2005 at 9:43pm | IP Logged

St Johns Ambulance Guidelines on choking:

To reduce the risk of a baby/child choking:

• Don't leave a baby alone while feeding
• Don't let children run around with toys or food in their mouths
• Don't give peanuts or boiled sweets to children under the age of 7 years
• Don't give a baby or child small objects or toys with small removable parts
• Follow manufacturers' guidelines about suitability of toys
• buy only those dummies which comply with British Standards.

What to do if your baby chokes:

• Place your babies head lower than it's chest, either over your forearm or across your knees
• Slap sharply with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades 5 times
• Check babies mouth
• Perform sequence 3 times
• If this doesn't work take baby with you and call for help dial 999 or 112 (112 will work in the whole of europe and will also work on your mobile if you have very weak or no signal, 911 will also work)
• If baby is conscious continue to do this until help arrives

On an older child you can do chest thrusts which are similar to the heimlich maneouvre.  You lay the child on the floor to do it and use 2 fingers in the same position as if you were going to do cpr, the technique is similar to cpr but sharper and with a longer pause between each thrust.

The best types of lumpy food to start with is things like banana which is soft or rusks which melt in the mouth.  Just take it slowly and if baby doesn't like it don't force it try again in a few days time.  Babies have a natural gag relflex up until around 6-7mths old that is why they say not to introduce lumps until this time.  So don't be alarmed if baby starts to gag it doesn't mean they are going to choke.

Posted: 14 September 2005 at 10:33pm | IP Logged

Just make sure the food is not to lumpy to start with and as time progresses just dont break it down so much. Not only that, they should start getting teeth.

HelenC

Posted: 15 September 2005 at 6:26am | IP Logged

Aww dont stress urself about it. Try lo with something like half a rusk (its made 2 melt in their mouth) & if u still feel uncertain watch for bigger bits breaking off & gently remove it from los mouth with ur finger - iv tried this with Ryan a few times & he loves it

Also with lumps in food u'll probably find for a little while lo will push any lumps they dont like out with their tongue anyway (thats wot i found at least) & i think the main thing if lo does choke is not 2 panic

Posted: 19 September 2005 at 2:50pm | IP Logged

Thanks for the advice!  am going to print this one off and have it ready in the kitchen....

Ellie's s till a bit young for finger foods and my mums coming over in a few weeks to stay so I reckon I'll give Ellie some finger foods then (when I'll have the cavalry with me lol)