BLW and strong gag reflex

[Skippy918]

I started giving DD solids to play with about a month ago and I was just wondering when she'll be able to figure out how to chew food with her gums.  Whenever she takes a bite of something she'll move it around her mouth and then she'll start gagging on it.  The piece that got bit off is small (pea size).  DS at this age had already figured out the chewing motion and never really gagged on anything.  She is almost 8 months old.  She's done well with mashed potatoes, dipping her fingers in and licking them.  

[anjsmama]

My DD gagged on mostly everything until about 8.5 months. And she had several teeth, she had 4 teeth by the time she was 6 months. She just didn't seem to chew at all until she was interested in actually eating (not playing with) food. By 9 months she was chewing well and now at 11 months eats what we eat. For awhile I was questioning BLW a bit like... would she EVER start eating/chewing/swallowing? Cause it just seemed like she did the pick it up, put it in & gag routine  forever. But it practically stopped overnight. 

[Abraisme]

Some kids just have a very sensitive gag reflex.  It doesn't matter when you start solids if this is the case.  My DS gagged, coughed and threw up while eating until he was 5yo!!  He started eating at 5mo and it took him FOREVER to learn how to eat without gagging..  I don't have a great answer, but his pedi told me not to worry about it and that he'd eventually get it under control.

[Skippy918]

Thanks for the reassurance.