when they gag, which they will a lot at first, do very over the top loud chomping faces at them. it seems to distract them from the gagging and they will copy you and go back to chewing. the worst thing is to have a panic face on while they gag. and yes, people will think you're a loon for loudly going 'nyam nyam nyam etc..' while your poor starving baby 'chokes.' also, whenever you offer something new be very very excited about it. have a taste and do a loud (of course) YUMMMMM!! i sooo see the difference between me doing this and dd getting excited to know what the new fab thing is, compared to friends who give their baby a new food then sit holding their breath with a nervous look on their face in case baby doesn't like it. baby then thinks oh heck what's this, she looks worried, i'm worried, blardy hell i'll just leave it thanks...and chucks it over board.