baby not eating

[mama721]

I have a 12 month old baby that is still exclusively breastfed (absolutely nothing else). We have been trying to give him baby food (ALL TYPES), cereal, regular food, and any other food you can think of. He seems to have an overactive gag reflex. Whenever we put food in his mouth he starts to gag and then vomits. He wont drink out of a bottle or sippy cup, only the breast. Developmentally he is right where he should be. It has now gotten so bad that he gags on the sight of a spoon. He seems to WANT regular food because he will taste whatever regular food we are eating but then if even a crumb gets in his mouth he starts to gag and vomits. Our Dr. said he should be eating regular food. He is allergic to dairy and soy. What can I do to help him eat and lessen the gag reflex? How long will breastmilk be adequate nutrition for him?

[Renee Radenberg]

If he gags on all foods, then suggest he gets evaluated on his chewing and swallowing abilities. At the age one year old a child should be eating regular finger foods. He may need to learn how to chew and swallow food. That would not be a reflection on your parenting. Some children just do not know how to do it and need to be taught. They need to learn how to chew and shallow food properly; it is not really an instinct behavior like sucking. Has he been evaluated on how to chew food? If not, then suggest getting him evaluated, by going to your MD, and start therapy so he can start to eat regular food. Hoped this helped you.

[mama721]

Our MD referred us to a gastroenterologist to have him evaluated. The gastro. dr. said that nothing seems to be wrong with him, however he wants him to be seen by a speech therapist for a food swallow study. I have never heard of this before. I think that you are right about him needing to be taught how to chew and swallow food. When he is given crackers or regular food, he does not CHEW it, he mushes it around and tries to swallow... and gags and vomits. Do you know how long it typically takes for babies to be taught how to chew?
Thank you so much for your help!