1 Year Old Choking/Gagging on Random Foods at Random Times

Talk to her pediatrician.

I suggest you make an appointment with a pediatrician. You're also concerned about sodium. The doctor can help you with both issues.

I do wonder how much attention you're giving her around food. Have you tried giving her the food and then paying very little attention to the food? When she gags quietly take the food away without saying anything about the food or the gagging. Take her out of the high chair or away from the table while diverting her with talk about what she's going to play with now.
Or you could try just not reacting to the gagging and leave the food for her to try on her own. Only give her finger food so she can put it in her mouth.

Since you're not feeling well how much attention do you give her when not involved with food? My daughter has a chronic illness. She rests on the bed while her little ones watch TV and play beside her. They come in and out of her bedroom, sometimes just for a hug.

Did you check to see how much sodium your doctor recommends for you to consume and work out how much is a serving? If you started out on reducing sodium more than a week ago and know these two things you should be somewhat comfortable doing this. If you don't use a food chart and measure the amount of your food, I suggest you focus on that. Instead of adding up your child's numbers, take that time to play with her even if it's just to watch a video with her.

My Dad was so anemic that he couldn't bank his own blood for surgery. Yet the did replace his hip. Hip surgery requires more supplementation of blood after surgery than other surgeries. I've had several invasive surgeries and never had transfusions during or after. Have you discussed this with your doctor and are you taking supplemental iron and for how long. I urge you to talk with your doctor and your daughter's pediatrician. I suggest you are paying more attention to food than is necessary. This may be causing your daughter anxiety which can cause the issues you describe.

I know you are tired and have difficulty getting yourself moving. Be sure your own depression is not causing you to be more tired than you need to be. Find activities that will improve your energy. Walk every day. Do something fun everyday. Learn to have positive thoughts. Make yourself stop thinking when doing so causes you to be anxious.

Anxiety, excessive fear and depression will also delay surgery. See a counselor for help with those issues. Before my major surgeries I listened every night and sometimes during the day to a relaxation tape. This helped in reducing anxiety and fear.

My youngest had such a strong gag reflex. A few times a week I remember her choking on food and I would have to grab her, put her over my knee and hit her back. It was awfu and drove me crazy but she outgrew it eventually. (I cut her food in the smallest bite size pieces too!)

Hi C. :)

I remember the sodium question - sounds like you have some concerns and questions for your pediatrician. You know what I would do? Make a list of questions, as they come up, and take it with you - that way you won't forget or miss anything when you see the doctor. And you can forget about it until you see them, when you get solid advice from a doctor who's examined your child.

I know as a first time mom, I had a lot of questions and relied on books too heavily, and sometimes just didn't pay enough attention to my mom instinct. I think you should ease up a bit on worrying about some of this stuff and just take it day by day a bit - you'll enjoy your time with your baby more. If you're too worried or stressed, these days will go by like a blur.

There is a gag reflex that sometimes kicks in with babies, and some (I had one) do it for attention (new sound/new trick). I agree with Marda P's suggestion of not making a big deal of it (unless of course she is choking) and see how she does. Or offer a drink with the meal.

I do have a child who had acid reflux and sometimes gagged/threw up (later in the day), so if it doesn't clear up, just add this to the list to ask the pediatrician when you see them. I do have a child to this day who gags on mashed potatoes. I think he just doesn't like them though :)

Good luck :)

my guess is sinus drainage... which makes folks gaggy..

but my kids did this at that age too.. would just randomly gag on something and puke at the table.. they outgrow it..

My kids both did this to some extent. They are adjusting to new textures and tastes and it's reactionary. Your child may have a sensitive gag-reflex - as I do - I can't use a tongue scraper and having x-rays of back teeth is torture.

Also, she may have enlarged or adenoids, which is common in children. My niece is currently being evaluated by an ear, nose and throat specialist for this as she also has this problem. Does your daughter snore or breathe heavily when sleeping? This is also an indicator of enlarged adenoids.

Since your daughter is actually throwing up, I'd have her evaluated. What does her Ped say?

Good luck!