Linda Giumelli, Hobart Dietitian and Lactation Consultant

21/11/2023

Many parents feel stressed when they see their child gagging and it's easy to feel unsure about the difference between gagging and choking. This is a great summary of the differences.

It is common to confuse gagging with choking in babies. Children under 3 years of age are at particular risk of choking because they are still learning to eat, chew and swallow.
The main difference between gagging and choking is:
* Gagging: is a normal reflex that babies do all the time when they are learning to eat. When babies gag on their food, their airway is clear and they are still breathing.
* Choking: is when the airway is blocked, which can be life-threatening. Babies who are choking may gasp for breath, wheeze or may be unable to make a sound (such as crying).

Tips for parents:
1. Do a baby & child first aid course so that you know what to do if your baby has a choking episode.
2. Ask your child to sit down to eat and always stay with your child while they are eating.
3. Offer your baby foods that are an appropriate texture. Try grating, cooking or mashing hard fruit or vegetables. Chopping small round fruit and vegetables (eg grapes, cherry tomatoes) in half. Give nut paste (eg peanut butter) instead of whole nuts.
4. Follow your baby's feeding cues. Don't force your child to eat if they are giving you signs that they are done (eg turning away).

Read more about the difference between gagging and choking here: https://doh.health.tas.gov.au/healthykids/blog/know_the_difference_between_gagging_and_choking_on_food2.

03/11/2023

What is normal in the first weeks of breastfeeding?

01/11/2023

Do you need breastfeeding support or nutrition advice? I have appointments available at my clinic in Sandy Bay this coming Friday. You can book online here:

Save time and book your appointments online with nourish tasmania 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

30/10/2023

What's your favourite kind of rice?

There are more than 40,000 varieties of cultivated rice. If you've ever wondered about the differences between all the colourful rices at the supermarket, here's a rundown.

27/10/2023

I've been offline for a little while and went travelling to Central Australia. One of the lovely parts of the trip was learning about some of the bush foods in the area. This one was delicious - the Honey grevillea. We tapped the flowers onto our hands to get a think nectar that tasted just like toffee - yum!

04/08/2023

It's World Breastfeeding Week this week from August 1st - 7th. This year the theme is Enabling Breastfeeding - Making a difference for working parents.
Having access to paid maternity leave and a supportive workplace on return to work can make continuing breastfeeding so much easier.

21/07/2023

Are you ready for school to go back next week in Tasmania? (I must admit I have enjoyed a small break from the morning lunchbox rush). Here are some ideas for packing a healthy lunchbox that may make things a little easier.

School is back next week, which means so is lunchbox packing 🥪🍊

If you're after some tips for packing a yummy and healthy lunchbox (which won't come back untouched!) check out our latest blog.

Tip: If you have younger children, try packing them a lunchbox for a playgroup session or just for when you're out and about. It will help with the transition to school.

Read the blog here: https://fal.cn/3A1XV

Healthy Tasmania Move Well Eat Well Early Childhood Award Program Start Them Right a parent's guide to eating for under 5s

14/07/2023

How do you do dinner in your family? This is my favourite way - put everything in the middle of the table and let everyone serve themselves. Each person chooses how much they want based on their own hunger, as well as what they want based on their own preference and experience with the foods available (there's always at least 1-2 things available that I know each person will eat). It lets my kids learn about unfamiliar foods by seeing and smelling them - and eventually taking some onto their own plates.

07/07/2023

One of the things I love most is being able to harvest fresh fruit from a winter garden. Have you ever tried a feijoa? A sweet and almost bubblegum-like flavour unlike any other fruit I have eaten. Cut them in half and scoop them out with a spoon, or break the top off and squeeze the insides directly into your mouth - yum!

02/07/2023

Feeding an infant, toddler or child. It can be fun, enjoyable, peaceful, messy, stressful, enjoyable, exhausting, monotonous, challenging - and all things in between. It's one of the most constant jobs we do as parents, and depending on the day we may either love it or hate it. If you're having challenges with feeding your child or would just like some advice, I'd love to help support you. Bookings can be made at www.nourishtas.com.au