15 month old daughter with choking episodes

[felicitys mum]

My 15 month old daugter has had choking episodes since we began weaning her at 6 months, so she is progressing very slowing with her eating. Our health visitor is not being very helpful and wants to see her again at 18 months when she 'expects' felicity to be eating the same foods as us at every mealtime (with no suggestions on how to help us progress i might add)

We were referred to the hospital for a barium swallow test, which Felicity refused to swallow! Helpful! So we still dont know if there is anything in particular that is causing the choking or just lack of experience but she has previously lost conciousness due to lack of air from choking so severly on a smooth puree so its pretty scary!!

In the last 2-3 weeks we have made significant progress from 'textured' purees to relatively lumpy, she is now managing toast, sanwiches, fruit pieces, scrambled egg and cottage/fish pie. Obviously these problems had made me very nervous about mealtimes and trying new things but I am trying to push things forward, if anybody has ANY ideas on foods that might suit her that i shouldnt need to puree this would be really apprieciated! Especially meal ideas that the whole family can manage.
Many thanks x

[DrP]

If she's managing toast and sandwiches now then I would imagine there is probably very little she won't be able to manage. Pasta is great, maybe go with the bigger ones to start, avoid spagetti unless it is very finely chopped. Lasagne would be great. All sorts of stews and casseroles should be easily managed if they are well cooked so veg are soft. If well enough cooked the meat should be really tender and easy to manage if very finely chopped. If she can mange fruit pieces then veg should also be good if well steamed. Try any of the root veg maybe.

[cathyg]

hi, Freddie was terrible for choking on food when he was younger too, i was terrified to give him anything slighty chewy, so can empathise there. as far as by 18 months she should be eating family meals - ********! excuse my french, but i doubt if many 18 month olds are tucking into Roasts or similar, maybe a few bits of what the family are eating maybe. just try new foods here and there that aren't too dangerous (e.g whole grapes, whole cherry toms etc), & make sure you stay close when she's eating & mimic chewing when she's eating - i still sometimes do that now when Freddies eating something chewy (e.g pork chop) just in case! good luck