Gagging and choking are two different things. Gagging is a normal part of learning to eat, while choking happens when something blocks your child’s airway.

Gagging

A baby’s gag reflex is in the front of their mouth and moves back as a baby gets older. It helps prevent babies choking when they are learning to eat. Gagging might sound like a little coughing or retching, or baby might get a little red in the face. Children should gag less as their chewing skills develop.

Choking

A person of any age can choke on food, but children under four years are most at risk. This is because they have fewer teeth and are still learning to eat, chew and swallow. Choking happens when something blocks the airway, making it difficult for them to breath. There might not be any sound as the baby’s ribs and chest pull in, in an attempt to get air. Raising Children Network has good information (and pictures) on what to do if your baby is choking (Choking first aid for babies: in pictures).

To reduce the risk of choking:

• Do not give food or drink to children when they are running, playing, laughing or crying
• Always sit children down to eat
• Stay close and watch children while they eat
• Encourage children to eat slowly and chew well
• Encourage children to feed themselves.

Some foods are a higher choking risk and are best to avoid. These include:

• small or hard foods like nuts, raw or undercooked pieces of hard fruit and vegetables, popcorn, rice cakes and cocktail frankfurts
• small whole foods such as grapes or cherry tomatoes.

For more information on gagging and choking visit the Solid Starts website.