What to do when baby coughs while breastfeeding?

Understanding Baby Coughing While Breastfeeding
When a baby coughs during breastfeeding, it can be a distressing experience for both the infant and the mother. Understanding the reasons behind this coughing and knowing how to respond can help alleviate concerns and ensure a smoother feeding experience.
Common Causes of Coughing
Coughing in infants while breastfeeding can occur for several reasons. One common cause is milk flow issues. If the milk is flowing too quickly, the baby may struggle to keep up, leading to coughing or gagging. This is particularly prevalent in mothers with a strong let-down reflex, where milk is released rapidly. Additionally, nasal congestion can also contribute to coughing, as babies are obligate nasal breathers and may find it difficult to breathe if their nasal passages are blocked.
Another factor could be reflux, where milk flows back up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing irritation and coughing. It’s essential to observe if the coughing is accompanied by other symptoms, such as arching of the back or excessive fussiness, which could indicate a more significant issue.
Immediate Responses
If your baby coughs while breastfeeding, the first step is to remain calm. Babies can often sense their mother’s anxiety, which may exacerbate the situation. Here are some immediate actions you can take:
1. Pause Feeding: If your baby coughs, gently remove them from the breast and allow them to catch their breath. This pause can help them regain composure and prevent further coughing.
2. Adjust Position: Sometimes, changing the baby’s position can help. Try holding them in a more upright position, which can facilitate easier breathing and swallowing.
3. Check for Congestion: If you suspect nasal congestion, using saline drops can help clear the nasal passages. A few drops in each nostril can make a significant difference, allowing your baby to breathe more easily while feeding.
4. Monitor Milk Flow: If you have a strong let-down reflex, consider expressing a small amount of milk before breastfeeding to reduce the initial flow. This can help prevent overwhelming your baby with too much milk at once.
When to Seek Help
While occasional coughing is usually not a cause for alarm, there are situations where you should consult a healthcare professional. If your baby exhibits persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or shows signs of distress, it’s crucial to seek medical advice. Additionally, if you notice any unusual symptoms, such as fever or lethargy, these could indicate an underlying illness that requires attention.
Conclusion
Coughing during breastfeeding can be concerning, but understanding the potential causes and knowing how to respond can help ease both the mother’s and baby’s worries. By remaining calm, adjusting feeding techniques, and monitoring your baby’s health, you can create a more comfortable breastfeeding experience. If issues persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pediatrician or lactation consultant for further guidance.

How do I know if I’m overfeeding my breastfed baby?

When feeding your little one, you should also worry if they’re getting too much milk. Look out for these signs of overfeeding breastfed baby: Frequent Spitting Up: Spitting up more than usual can indicate your baby is overfed. While spitting up is common, excessive spitting can be a clear sign of overfeeding.

What helps a cough while breastfeeding?

Cough. Two main OTC cough medications are considered safe to take when breastfeeding: dextromethorphan (Delsym) and guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin). Dextromethorphan helps calm a cough. The amount found in breast milk after taking it is very low, so it should be safe for your baby.

When should I be concerned about my baby’s cough?

Call your pediatrician if:
Your child has a cough combined with fast breathing. Your child has a high fever, especially if he’s coughing but does not have a runny or stuffy nose. Your child can’t speak normally because of coughing. Your infant (3 months or younger) has been coughing for more than a few hours.

Is it normal for baby to cough while breastfeeding?

Usually, this happens when mom has an oversupply of milk. According to the La Leche League International (LLLI), common signs of oversupply include restlessness at the breast, coughing, choking, or gulping milk, especially at let down, and biting on the nipple to stop the flow of milk, among others.

What foods make reflux worse in breastfed babies?

Citrus fruit, tomatoes, caffeine containing drinks (tea, coffee, coke) and chocolate may also need to be avoided by the breast-feeding mother of a reflux baby. Remember that all babies are different and different babies react to different foods – the list above is a guideline only.

Can cough transfer through breastfeeding?

Your baby won’t catch the illness through your breast milk – in fact, it will contain antibodies to reduce her risk of getting the same bug.

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting my baby’s stomach?

If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day. This lets you carefully look at your diet instead of getting rid of foods that may not be the cause of your baby’s distress.

What to do when an infant chokes on milk?

Give chest thrusts if back blows don’t help. Turn the infant face-up, supporting the head and neck and resting them on your thigh. Keep their head lower than the chest.

How do I stop my baby from coughing when I feed?

If your baby is pulling off and gagging or coughing during feeding, sit your baby up in a seated burp position. Gently pat your baby’s back to help your little one calm down before you continue feeding. If you’ve tried the steps above and this continues to happen, talk to your doctor or lactation consultant.

Why can’t you eat chocolate while breastfeeding?

Caffeine. It’s not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine – it’s in chocolate, and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless.