Why is my baby choking and gasping for air while breastfeeding?

Understanding Choking and Gasping in Babies While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a natural and essential part of nurturing a newborn, but it can sometimes lead to alarming situations, such as a baby choking or gasping for air. This distressing experience can leave parents feeling anxious and unsure about what to do. Understanding the underlying causes can help alleviate concerns and ensure a safer feeding experience.
Common Causes of Choking and Gasping
One of the primary reasons babies choke or gasp while breastfeeding is related to milk flow. If a mother has an overactive letdown, the milk can flow too quickly for the baby to manage. This rapid flow can overwhelm the infant, causing them to struggle to keep up, leading to choking or gasping as they attempt to swallow the milk.
Additionally, the positioning of the baby during breastfeeding plays a crucial role. An improper nursing position can make it difficult for the baby to latch correctly, which may result in choking. Ensuring that the baby is well-positioned can help mitigate this risk.
The Role of Gag Reflex
Infants are equipped with a hyper-gag reflex, which is a protective mechanism designed to prevent choking. This reflex can sometimes be triggered during breastfeeding, especially if the baby is not ready for the milk flow or if they are distracted. When this reflex is stimulated, it can lead to gagging, which may appear as choking or gasping for air.
Other Contributing Factors
In some cases, underlying health issues such as nasal congestion can exacerbate the situation. Babies who are congested may struggle to breathe while nursing, leading to moments of gasping as they pull away from the breast. It’s essential for parents to monitor their baby’s overall health and consult a pediatrician if they notice persistent issues.
What Parents Can Do
To help prevent choking and gasping during breastfeeding, mothers can take several proactive steps:
1. Adjust Feeding Position: Experiment with different nursing positions to find one that allows the baby to latch comfortably and manage the milk flow effectively.

2. Manage Milk Flow: If experiencing an overactive letdown, mothers can try nursing in a more upright position or expressing some milk before latching the baby to reduce the initial flow.
3. Stay Calm: If choking occurs, it’s crucial for parents to remain calm. Gently removing the baby from the breast and allowing them to cough or breathe can help clear any obstruction.
4. Consult Professionals: If choking incidents are frequent or concerning, seeking advice from a lactation consultant or pediatrician can provide tailored strategies and reassurance.
Conclusion
While the sight of a baby choking or gasping during breastfeeding can be frightening, understanding the causes and implementing preventive measures can significantly enhance the breastfeeding experience. By being aware of factors like milk flow, positioning, and the baby’s health, parents can create a safer and more enjoyable feeding environment for their little ones.

How do I stop my baby from suffocating while breastfeeding?

“Often, just stopping the feed and positioning the baby upright with good head and neck support will give them a few seconds to manage the problem.” Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, says if your baby begins to choke, let them stop feeding for a little bit and pat their back.

Is laryngomalacia life threatening?

Laryngomalacia is usually not life threatening.

Why is my baby gasping while bottle feeding?

Your baby should not gasp, cough, or cry while bottle-feeding. If your baby drinks too fast, tip the bottle down to slow their feed or take the bottle away. You can tell if your baby is swallowing too fast when: They’re not taking a breath between swallows.

Why does my baby choke and stop breathing while breastfeeding?

It is a very complex and intricately timed process. When a baby is gagging /choking or spluttering at the breast it is generally because the smooth coordination of the suck-swallow-breathe rhythm has been disrupted and the swallow and breathe is mis-timed.

Why does my baby make a gasping sound while breastfeeding?

Most often, babies are choking and gasping at the breast because mom has a lot of milk and/or the flow of her milk is so fast that the baby struggles (just like adults can only handle guzzling so much of a drink rather than drinking it at a more reasonable pace).

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.

Why is my baby struggling to breathe while feeding?

Most babies who have laryngomalacia start having symptoms within a few days to weeks after birth. These symptoms may include: Noisy breathing. Difficulty feeding or gasping/choking noises while feeding.

Can babies with laryngomalacia breastfeed?

Most babies with laryngomalacia have no trouble breathing or feeding, even when their breathing sounds concerning. Breathing usually gets louder when lying down, sleeping, crying or feeding.

Does laryngomalacia cause SIDS?

It is suggested that laryngomalacia may be a cause for early apnea of infancy. Obstructive apnea is a well-documented cause for apnea of infancy (‘near miss’ sudden infant death syndrome) [2,7,12,19,20].

How to stop baby gulping air when breastfeeding?

Make sure your baby has a good latch so he doesn’t swallow too much air. Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet.