Parents often ask us about the difference between gagging and choking.
We have a gag reflex on the back of our tongue so when something is heading towards our windpipe, we gag and push it back into our mouth. For little ones, their gag reflex is further forwards than an adults’. It can sometimes be quite alarming but it is Mother Nature looking after them and ensuring that anything heading towards their windpipe is being pushed out. It’s really important for little one’s body to take care of that gagging motion by themselves.
The key difference between gagging and choking is breath. If my baby is silent and there is no breath, I know my baby is choking. If they’re crying, gurgling or spluttering, it’s a sign that air is getting in, so they’re gagging, not choking. We say, if they’re red, leave them to it! However, if they’re looking blue, they’re going to need help from you. If your baby has darker skin, this is usually more noticeable under the bottom of the lip. If they have lighter skin, their lips and the tips of their nose might be blue.