My Josie is 12 months old. She was on zantac from 3 months until 11 months. She was eating stage II foods thickened with a little oatmeal from 9-10 months. She then started chocking and gagging. From 10 months until 12 months she refused food, screames at the sight of the highchair. She was switched to prilosec about 1 month ago. For about two weeks now she is back on stage II foods. The only fruit she can tolerate is pears. If I thicken it too much she gags. I have tried the gerber puffs and cherrios, she gags terrible.
What causes this gagging?
She had an upper GI and swallowing study both of which were normal. She goes in two weeks for and EGD and MII.
Any input would be appreciated. It just seems for a 12 month old she should be able to eat more stuff.

It sounds like an oral aversion and also like some sensory issues to the textures. It also sounds like Josie has learned that food means pain. Will she eat with distractions? Can she tolerate the 'gag' foods if you make sure that she has really tiny bites? Is she on any meds. now?

She eats better if I put in a Baby Einstein video as a distraction. She is currantly on Prilosec 2 times a day. Before they switched her to that she would not eat any baby food at all. Even if I put a tiny bit of a puff or anything solid in her mouth she immediatly gags. Even at times while eating her baby food periodically she will gag.
Is it when she refluxes that she gags? When she saw a speech pathologist during her swallow eval. she stated that Josie had a high palate, that is somewhat common in preemies.
Thanks for your response:iconbigg: .

It's not just when she refluxes that she'll gag. It sounds like she is reacting to the textures. Evan has a high palate too, but I've never heard a connection to feeding difficulties. I'm going to start a poll about this.

Daniel was and is a real gagger, too. At first, they thought it was a sensory thing -- he'd gag and throw up as soon as he felt a chunk on his tongue. (Interestingly enough, pears were the only stage 2 food he hated because it is ever-so-slightly gritty.) Now they think his gagging (followed by spitting more often than puking) is purely behavioral -- simply that this is what he thinks is to be done with food.

Whew! S is going through this now. I feel awful to say this, but it really is comforting to know you're not the only one!

As I read the post I was thinking....oh yeah this is normal. Isn't that sad that I have actually come to think "normal"? And yet it is "normal" for so many of our refluxers.

I guess b/c I have seen Shae-Lynne the same. Gags on everything. She gags even just at the smell of food..always gagging and choking. I think that is sometimes worse than the vomiting itself.

Sorry, I have no answers. Just that I do understand what you are saying.

Andrew has been gaging alot lately too, but never did in the past. I know his isn't an aversion of any sort, As I don't think they can develop them this late in the game?

Good Luck with all of the tests and I hope you get some answers soon. It is so hard to guess and attempt to figure out what makes our Gerdlings do the things they do!

Hi Jacqui,

My daughter is now 15 months old and she is still on baby food. We can't get passed this stage. I do give her biscuits and cheetos she tends to lick the food but if a piece does happen to break off she will spit it out. She also hates the cup. As soon as she sees the cup she puts her hands to her face. I really hope that she would take the cup because that means she would not need her GT anymore.

It would be great to hear why these kids are doing this.

Sorry I wasn't much help but I am puzzled as well.

Ada

Hi Jacqui,

My daughter is now 15 months old and she is still on baby food. We can't get passed this stage. I do give her biscuits and cheetos she tends to lick the food but if a piece does happen to break off she will spit it out. She also hates the cup. As soon as she sees the cup she puts her hands to her face. I really hope that she would take the cup because that means she would not need her GT anymore.

It would be great to hear why these kids are doing this.

Sorry I wasn't much help but I am puzzled as well.

Ada
Thanks for your response. This is all a mystery to me as well. Josie goes into the hospital tomarrow (3-8) for and EGD and MII. I hope after all the test results are back we can get refered to a feeding therapist. Do you see one?
Thanks again:hello2: .