Why is my baby coughing and choking when I feed her?

Understanding Your Baby’s Coughing and Choking During Feeding
When a baby coughs or chokes while being fed, it can be a distressing experience for both the child and the caregiver. While occasional coughing and gagging are common, especially in infants, frequent episodes may warrant further investigation.
Normal Developmental Responses
For infants, particularly those starting solid foods around six months, coughing and gagging can be part of normal development. At this stage, a baby’s gag reflex is positioned further forward in the mouth, making it more sensitive to food textures. As they grow, this reflex moves back, reducing the likelihood of gagging. Therefore, it’s not unusual for babies to cough or expel food as they learn to navigate new textures and swallowing techniques.
Potential Causes of Coughing and Choking
1. Aspiration: One of the primary reasons for coughing during feeding is aspiration, where food or liquid accidentally enters the airway instead of the esophagus. This can happen if a baby is not yet adept at swallowing or if they are distracted while eating.
2. Reflux Issues: Many infants experience gastroesophageal reflux, where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. This can lead to coughing, gagging, or choking as the baby struggles to manage the refluxed material. Symptoms may include irritability during feeds and arching of the back.
3. Oversupply of Milk: For breastfeeding mothers, an oversupply of milk can cause the baby to choke. If milk flows too quickly, the baby may struggle to keep up, leading to coughing or choking episodes. Adjusting feeding positions or techniques can help manage this issue.
4. Swollen Tonsils or Other Obstructions: Occasionally, physical obstructions such as swollen tonsils can block the airway, causing coughing or choking. If a baby frequently coughs on their saliva, this could be a sign of such an issue.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While occasional coughing and gagging are typically not a cause for alarm, parents should be vigilant. If your baby exhibits signs of distress, such as turning blue, being unable to cry, or showing signs of severe discomfort, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, if coughing and choking episodes become frequent or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consulting a pediatrician is advisable.
Conclusion
In summary, while coughing and choking during feeding can be common in infants, understanding the underlying causes can help alleviate concerns. Monitoring your baby’s feeding habits and being aware of their developmental milestones can provide reassurance. If issues persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance and support.

What causes coughing and choking when eating?

Neurogenic dysphagia is swallowing problems related to the nerves governing function of the mouth, throat and esophagus. A person experiencing nasal regurgitation is likely to have some form of neurologic disease, and coughing during swallowing is another sign that the dysphagia could be due to a nerve problem.

Why is my baby coughing so much during feeding?

If your child aspirates, they may present with a cough when drinking or eating. Aspiration can cause symptoms including: Coughing when drinking, particularly with thin liquids. Difficulty feeding.

How do I know if my baby is aspirating?

Signs of silent aspiration in babies include:

• Fast breathing or holding their breath during feedings.
• Frequent low-grade fevers without an obvious cause or infections in their respiratory tract, especially their lungs.
• Refusing to feed or turning away from the bottle or breast.
• Wet-sounding voice or cry after feeding.

How to know if baby is overfed?

When fed too much, a baby may also swallow air. This can produce gas, increase discomfort in the belly, and lead to crying. An overfed baby also may spit up more than usual and have loose stools. Although crying from discomfort is not colic, it can make crying more frequent and more intense in an already colicky baby.

Why is my baby coughing and choking while eating?

Aspiration can cause signs and symptoms in a baby such as: Weak sucking. Choking or coughing while feeding.

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 is my baby coughing and choking on my breast?

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.

How do I stop my baby from choking while feeding?

Hold their head and back tilted up (Picture 1). This position will: Help keep them from choking. Keep your baby comfortable so they can enjoy their food.

What does a RSV cough sound like?

RSV in Infants & Toddlers
Children with RSV typically have two to four days of upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as fever and runny nose/congestion. These are then followed by lower respiratory tract symptoms, like increasing wheezing cough that sounds wet and forceful with increased work breathing.

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

The most common reason a baby chokes during breastfeeding is that milk is coming out faster than your baby can swallow. Usually, this happens when mom has an oversupply of milk.