Gagging vs. Choking in Babies: What to Do

We had a baby girl, my first, and when she began to eat solid foods, I would always double-check the quantity or the shapes and sizes of the foods I was giving her.

As parents, there’s nothing more terrifying than seeing your baby struggling to breathe. There are two of these instances, gagging and choking, and they appear similar but very different in how you should respond in each case.

The first time I saw these situations, it was stressful, and I didn’t know if I should intervene or if these would sort themselves out. Learning the difference between gagging and choking and knowing what to do can help you over the years of weaning.

This guide will help you understand what to do, and how to do it, and give you the confidence to stand up for them and be a caring and calming hand in case of any mishaps.
 

Babies learn to eat solid foods and naturally gag on things such as the textures of the foods, larger chunks of fruit or vegetables or when the food isn't completely mashed. It's a safety thing to make sure they don't swallow something closed up in their throat that might clog their airway.

Baby’s gag reflex is a crucial tool in keeping things moving up in a healthy direction as babies explore the world around them.

Some common causes of gagging include:

• Learning to eat solids: The gag reflex is usually more sensitive, close to the front of their mouths, as babies begin to adjust to new textures.
• Swallowing too much food: IT may cause babies to gulp large portions or, not properly chewed food, which may result in infants gagging.
• Food with tricky textures: Sticky and thick foods, like peanut butter and some fruits, can cause babies to gag because they can’t swallow them.
• Exploring objects: While exploring the surroundings, the babies like putting in their mouths and occurs a lot of times, but sometimes it’s something that they’re not supposed to eat and can make them gag.

While it may seem alarming, gagging is usually harmless, but common once your baby begins to learn to eat and explore by mouth.

Signs and Symptoms of Gagging in Babies

While your baby’s gagging can sound and look scary, it’s rarely a cause for alarm and is usually a natural and harmless part of development. Some common signs of gagging include:

• Loud coughing or gagging noises: Babies may make noises trying to push food out of the mouth.
• Facial redness or watery eyes: It can occur as a result of their effort to clear their throat.
• Pushing food out with their tongue: Your baby may also not swallow at all and the food might push the front of their mouth.
• Gagging motions with no sign of distress: If your baby looks calm and is still breathing, it’s likely only gagging, not choking.

It is important to know that gagging is your baby’s reflex to get that airway clear while they are learning how to eat solid foods. It doesn't have to feel unsettling; their gag reflex is a crucial tool that helps them stay safe as they navigate the world they are in.
 

If something’s blocking your baby’s airway, making it hard or impossible for them to breathe, that’s choking. Choking is more frightening and dangerous and needs immediate attention. Some common causes of choking include:

• Small objects: Putting things in the mouth is why babies love to explore their surroundings. They can accidentally choke if they swallow objects that fit in their mouth.
• Improperly cut food: Babies can choke on foods like grapes, hot dogs, or even chunks of hard fruits and vegetables that aren’t cut into very small pieces.
• Thick liquids: If your baby chokes, it's usually because he or she has drank too much milk, juice, or formula that is too thick, or sipped too much milk or juice at one time.
• Rapid feeding: Overfeeding or feeding too fast can cause a baby to swallow too much, which may cause them to choke.

As babies explore by putting things in their mouths, it’s natural, but always do so with supervision and be aware of hazards, such as choking.

Signs and Symptoms of Choking in Babies

Choking can be a frightening experience, and if you fail to recognise the signs quickly, you can’t act fast to prevent choking. Choking is very different from gagging, and unlike gagging, this blocks the airway, and your baby can’t breathe properly. Some common signs of choking include:

• Silent struggle: A choking baby will sound differently than a gagging baby, as a gagging baby will produce noises.
• Inability to breathe or cough: In some cases, your baby may find it difficult to take a breath or forcefully cough.
• Red or blue face: A baby may turn a couple shades of red when he is choking, and the face may turn a shade or two bluer if the airway is obstructed enough to be completely blocked.
• Panicked or distressed appearance: If your baby doesn’t look out of sorts, but is having wide eyes or frantic movements, chances are they’re choking.

Choking is a serious situation, so if your baby is choking then you need to act immediately. Choking is a process babies go through as they learn how to eat, and it can be life-threatening unless addressed immediately if there’s something preventing airflow.
 

Gagging often resolves on its own, but you can help:

• Stay calm: Don't panic—your baby feels your reactions.
• Let them work through it. Naturally, the baby's gag reflex will push the food out.
• Avoid intervention: Don't pat their back ,it makes things worse.
• Encourage safe eating habits: Give small, soft pieces of food at taught mealtimes or supervised.
   

If your baby is choking, act quickly:

• Check their airway: Safe to remove, look for visible obstructions.
• Call for help: If your baby starts to struggle to breathe, call emergency services immediately.
• Perform first aid: Never use your hands for dislodging the object.

Step-by-Step Guide to Infant Choking First Aid

When your baby is choking, you need to act fast and remain calm. Here’s a refined step-by-step guide to help clear their airway:

• Position your baby: Position your baby so that their head is lower than their chest and face down along your forearm. Hold their head and neck supported and their body safe.
• Deliver back blows: During the time of your baby around the shoulder blades, deliver up to five firm back blows with the heel of your hand. It can help dislodge the object that’s blocking its airway.
• Flip them over: If the object is not yet passed, and back blows don’t help, turn your baby over onto their back and support their head and neck.
• Perform chest thrusts: Push with two fingers down to the centre of your baby’s chest, just below the nipple line. Five quick, firm chest thrusts help to expel the object.
• Repeat as needed: At the same time, do five chest thrusts and five back blows until it is ejected or help arrives.

You can still remember to stay calm and act quickly because every second counts in a choking emergency. Parenting comes with constant learning, and it’s okay to feel nervous. Trust your instincts, stay informed, and know that you’re doing your best.

When babies start eating solid foods, gagging and choking are common. Babies will often gag as a healthy reflex to help them clear food safely from their mouths and learn how to eat different kinds of textures. That happens repeatedly when food goes too far back in their mouth before they are ready to swallow it.

But choking is a dangerous condition where the airway is obstructed, and something must be done immediately. So, you can help them learn to eat safely by giving them age-appropriate foods, supervising eating closely and letting babies taste different textures by themselves.