8.5 mo old swallowing pasta whole

[Mia's Mommy]

I began introducing pasta (macaroni) to my LO. She absolutely loves it, though, I've noticed that she's swallowing the pasta practically whole.  She is teething and chews on her fingers and sometimes gags herself. At lunch today, she gagged and a few pieces of pasta came up. Is that a problem that she's not chewing down her food? She doesn't seem upset, fussy, and her BMs are "normal" (peanut butter consistency, don't feel she is constipated but the number of BMs have decreased since introducing pasta a couple of days ago.)

Thanks for your help .

[*Kara*]

As long as you are cooking the pasta well, she should be fine.  I would just monitor how much she eats since not chewing it may lead her to eat more than she normally would

[Mia's Mommy]

I cook the pasta 10-15 mins longer than the recommended time on the package, very soft. Thanks!

[~inbalance~]

I wouldn't worry about it either if they are small pieces and are cooked really soft. 

[Texomamama]

My nearly 10 mo does the same thing with macaroni, and has since I introduced it at about 8 mo.  It will go in her mouth and in a split second it is gone.  She hardly makes any chewing motion with her mouth.  I only cook it about 1-2 mins over the recommended time, but it is soft. 

She hardly ever gags.  For some reason, those noodles just slide down. 

[Lemonthyme]

My 14 month old still does this.  Sorry to be graphic but on Friday he had a stomach bug and I can assure you he had macaroni cheese for his tea.  Urgh.

[greenteamomma]

Ditto here!  With DS1, we used to make exagerated chewing motions...he started to immitate at some point.  too cute

[kiansmam]

if your worried you could just cut it up smaller

[*jazzberry*]

Both my boys did thid too - it never caused any problems. Must break down nicely in the tummy cos I never saw it again