Assuming your baby doesn’t have an internal condition, if you’re breastfeeding, your baby could be choking on your milk for the following reasons: While we definitely want plenty of milk to nurse our babies, when there’s too much of it, it can lead to your baby choking. The baby may bite while breastfeeding due to the overflow of milk, thus making swallowing further difficult. If you aren’t sure you’ve got things right, while you’re still in the hospital, get help from the nurses to show you how to get your angel on there just right. What About Bottle-Feeding and a Choking Baby? Reflux is when a baby brings up milk, or is sick, during or shortly after feeding. Following every feeding, hold the baby in an upright position for 20 to 30 minutes. Should I Be Worried About Non-Nutritive Sucking? Thanks for the article. If you don’t see any improvement in your milk supply, increase the blockage time from 4 hours to 6 hours. I loved feeding my babies in a side-lying position. There are several ways you can prevent your baby from choking on breastmilk. When my first was only a few weeks old, I was very blessed to have lots and lots of milk. This method allows the baby to remain in control of the milk flow. If the nipple opening is too large, the baby will drink milk too fast and choke. If you’re bottle-feeding, check your bottles to see if they’re slow-flow. So, to prevent baby from choking on breastmilk, you need to slow things down a bit. By the end of that week, they’ve doubled in size. Your baby may pull away from the breast or bottle and start coughing. The main causes of each usually have to do with either how fast your milk or the formula is flowing out or the position in which you’re holding them. All information on this website is intended for  educational purposes only. Your email address will not be published. She loves eating too much sushi, exercise, and jamming out on her Fender. That being said though, something scary can occur with our wee ones that could take you by surprise if you’re new to this whole mom-thing…your baby could choke on that milk or formula that you’re feeding him. Thank you for the comment. The baby had not burped after the feed, the report said. A gag reflex often protects babies from choking, but because babies’ windpipe is narrow (so could get easily obstructed), choking is a serious hazard for them. While most nursing mothers would look for ways to increase their milk supply, I was struggling with oversupply. In this position, it is easier for babies to let milk dribble out of the mouth and take a break when your milk flow is too fast for them. The excessive fullness of this breast signals body to slow down milk production for that breast. Here is what to do, if you find your baby choking on milk. I learned to stay calm no matter what was going on and I advise you to do the same. It is always better to prepare for this before baby arrives. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Don't offer high-risk foods. I didn’t know there could be a time where a baby drinks the milk to fast and choke from it and I am happy that we all can learn from here and know how to handle our kids so as to avoid such situations. This helps her get all that fatty hindmilk too, another benefit. For either of these, if you notice any of the following signs, it’s very likely that your breastmilk is getting pushy with your baby: With bottle-feeding, the problems for your baby choking on milk can also arise. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Bottle feeding baby in recline position and not tilting the bottom of the bottle higher than the nipple will control the flow of the milk. Among the other common breastfeeding challenges, I was dealing with oversupply. Keep it to that breast only for a couple of hours of feedings, then switch to the other breast to even out the supply and keep it from going into overload. While your baby is still learning to suck, swallow, and breathe during feeding, help them by feeding upright and adjust your milk flow using the above suggestions. It seemed some of the milk had come out on to the baby’s mouth after the feed, which could have led to the choking. When you are bottle-feeding your baby, use a method called ‘paced bottle feeding”. On the day of birth, their tummies are tiny. What Could Be Wrong? For learning more about paced bottle feeding, check out this ARTICLE. According to the La Leche League International (LLLI), common signs of oversupply include restlessness at the breast, coughing, choking, or … Many babies outgrow spitting up by 7-8 months. Experts often call the first 3 months of a baby’s life the 4th trimester because they’re still developing so much. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Spitting up usually peaks at 2-4 months. Coping with Overactive Letdown Slow down your supply. The baby may pinch your nipple to slow the flow of the milk. Check if your baby has reflux. Dr Chanchlani explains that your young baby may regurgitate or vomit shortly after feeding several times. Being a new mother can be very scary as they are a lot of thing that you are exposed to that you could not beforehand prepare yourself for and this is one of them. Baby chocking on milk can be very dangerous if you don’t know what to do when it happens. Frequent burps during and after each feeding can keep air from building up in your baby's stomach. Turn a Husband That Doesn’t Help Enough with Baby into Your Parenting Ally. Then give 5 backstrokes down and towards the head. For breastfeeding moms, slowing down your milk supply is the best way to keep … Sharing Breast Milk, Through Social Media A newborn baby in Zambia choked to death on breastmilk after his mother allegedly fell asleep while feeding … Symptoms of reflux in babies include: They’re just trying to get the hang of this eating thing and it’s up to us to help them. Read on to learn more about when and how to wean. But if your baby begins to choke while breastfeeding, stop the feed, hold the baby upright and gently pat on his back. Today, I am going to tell you, what you can do when your baby drinks milk too fast and chokes. It is a skill that every new moms should know. Infant feeding requires precise coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. If bottle feeding, be sure to choose a slow-flow bottle and nipple. If your baby is frequently choking on milk, you need to see your pediatrician evaluate the feeding difficulties in your baby. Watch for signs the baby is full. Thereby allowing the baby to work to get the milk from the bottle by sucking and taking a break when needed, as they do at the breast. When to wean is a personal decision and will be different for everyone. Milk … If you are taking lactation supplements or drinking beverages to boost your milk supply in earlier days, you need to stop. With shallow latch, too much milk with remain in their mouth rather than going straight down into their throats. If you think your baby has a latching issue, get her latch evaluated by a lactation consultant. An ounce of prevention is always the best way to handle these things so I’m going to tell you all about what to do if you’re feeding your baby and she starts choking on milk. Why does my Baby Choke while Bottle Feeding? You can solve this by putting pressure on the nipple or by pumping a little milk just before you breastfeed. Babies also pull away from the breast or refuse the breast as they can’t cope with the flow. Infants may not be able to swallow quickly. Most babies have stopped spitting up by 12 months. To prevent infant choking: Properly time the introduction of solid foods. Avoid laying your baby on her back during feeding since milk will flow into her mouth even when she’s not sucking. My aunt’s daughters used to choke a lot while breastfeeding. You may look for oversupply or too fast let down of breast milk if your baby is frequently gagging or choking while breastfeeding. Am I Swaddling Too Tightly? Symptoms include refusal to feed, crying and back arching. Certain health conditions that increase the babies’ risk of choking includes. What to do when Baby Choking on Milk coming out of Nose? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. After your baby swallows milk, it glides past the back of their throat and goes down a muscular tube, called the esophagus, to their stomach. If the baby is still not okay, turn the baby over and give her 5 chest thrusts. Required fields are marked *. In this case, the mother’s milk slows fast that the baby can’t cope with the flow. The first time my son was choking on saliva happened when he was 2 months old and while he was sleeping after an afternoon feed. Reflux usually starts before a baby is 8 weeks old and gets better by the time they're 1. The disadvantage of this feeding position is that it can lead to clogged milk ducts if done too often. Try to feed her in a near-sitting position so that the bottle is tilted only slightly downward (just enough for the nipple to fill with milk and not air). If your baby is feeding from a bottle, the liquid may be flowing too fast. If the flow of milk from a bottle is too much for him, he might gag as his tongue will push it … When mom has an oversupply of breast milk, it causes milk to come out faster than the baby can swallow. Weaning from breastfeeding is the process of switching a baby’s diet from breast milk to other foods and drinks. For breastfeeding moms, slowing down your milk supply is the best way to keep a forceful letdown from overpowering your baby. Some babies do drink milk too fast. Breastfeeding Exhaustion: How to Handle Baby, Life, and More While Nursing. Does your baby experience choking, gulping, gagging and coughing during a feeding? A mother with overactive letdown may suffer from a sore nipple because of a baby pulling and tugging at the breast. Anything that interferes with the baby’s ability to coordinate this pattern, causes the baby to choke on the milk. Thank you for detailed article. This position will allow the child to nurse well. The football hold with a slight lean backward is another one to try. Babies usually pull away from the breast when they can’t keep up with the milk supply. It's very common and usually gets better on its own. Pace the feeding and break the suction periodically to give your baby a "breather." But if your baby starts full-on choking, you’ll need to stay calm and help get the milk away from the airway. It often happens when the baby gets distracted from breastfeeding or bottle feeding with a loud noise or activities going around in a room. If your baby is gagging during feedings, there may be an issue with the force of the flow of milk or formula. The first time my 2 months old baby choking on saliva. ... Irritable after feedings/colic symptoms. When to Wean. Here’s How to Know! Read on to learn why do babies choke on milk and how to prevent it. Allowing it to remain could cause the liquid to fill your baby's mouth, which can lead to choking. In very rare cases, some babies might have internal conditions that make it hard for them to swallow or create gastroesophageal reflux where everything in their tummies comes back up. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you are a first-time parent, smart idea is to take an infant CPR class. Doing so allows the forceful let down to happen before baby latches. A baby's position can, and often does, affect how effectively a baby latches and how well they can transfer milk ( a whole different & distinct step of feeding!) You can help pat them on the back and soothe them and generally, this should do the trick. It’s good that you explained what a mother can do when her baby drinks milk too fast and choke. I’m not here to judge you if you don’t. The mother should make sure that the child’s stomach faces her stomach, while the baby’s nose should face the nipple. Very helpful for new mothers. You can try nursing from one breast only every time you feed when the baby is gaining enough weight. Thank you for the comment Sophie! Introducing your baby to solid foods before he or she has the motor skills to swallow them can lead to infant choking. These cookies do not store any personal information. CPR class is often included in Newborn care classes if have not taken one yet. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Additionally, you should check out your bottles. I’ve mentioned before that I breastfed both my girls. But we had to figure out the way to prevent the choking hazard. Hello there, thanks for this really clear article that I’ve given us so much to learn and most nursing mothers would be really happy about it. Cheers. The CPR class is usually offered by the Red Cross and it is very affordable. I’ve not given birth yet but I’ve heard stories of breast milk choking babies. Remove the nipple from your baby's mouth if he falls asleep near the end of the feeding. How about arching and fussiness? Plus, it can be uncomfortable for you too. This helps slow things down and is good to do before you start nursing for feeding time. Overactive or forceful letdown can also cause choking in babies. It can be shocking to see your baby chugging milk and not being able to control his/her intake but its good that you have shared this article to help with that. A baby with a full stomach is bound to spit up if they have bounced around. Avoid immediate active play or use of an infant swing. Most of the time, everything will be fine, but on the rare occasion it isn’t, don’t lose your cool and go through these steps to stop choking. This results in baby feeding too fast and choking because they can’t keep up with the flow of the milk. So with the little knowledge I had from her experience and the in depth one I’m getting from yours now, I think I’m ready for motherhood. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There are many of them now that help keeps the flow from being overbearing. Good to know that you know what to do when baby chokes on milk. With an oversupply of milk, you may find your baby restless at the breast, coughing, gulping, spitting up milk, and arching away at initial letdown. With block feeding, you will feed your baby from one breast as many times as your baby asks for it for four hours. In many cases, the choking will not be serious. For me oversupply of milk leading to faster letdown was the reason of choking in my baby. However, you want to express the smallest amount possible (just enough to relieve pressure), because removing more milk gives your body signal to make more breast milk and thereby worsening the problem. Take time to burp your baby. For detailed demonstration, check out this video by Linda Nylander-Housholder, APRN. It is not a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice and/or treatment. A good way to avoid that is to keep them elevated during the feeding, but if that’s not possible, for example, if you’re laying down in bed, then carefully lift her up on your shoulder and gently pat her back for a few minutes. Also, if your baby is drinking milk too-fast from the bottle, check the size of the nipple. If not, it’s time to get new ones, ASAP. It often happens when the baby gets distracted from breastfeeding or bottle feeding with a loud noise or activities going around in a room. empiricalmama.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Bottle feeding can also cause the baby to chole if not done properly. It causes the baby to lose concentration and swallow lots of milk from a single gulp. Other challenges of having an oversupply of milk are excessive leaking between feedings, sore nipples, clogged milk ducts, and mastitis. Some babies are more prone to choking than others. Leslie Berry lives with her husband and two young daughters in Los Altos, California where she loves helping other moms get comfortable with motherhood and embracing the insanity with facts peppered with laughs. Follow each feeding with 30 minutes in an upright position. As an affiliate and amazon associate, I earn commission on qualified purchase at no extra cost to you. It's normal for babies to bring up a little milk during or just after a feed. Hello there! Whether you’re nursing or bottle-feeding, babies can get pretty sleepy. This should help things settle down. Keep a muslin square handy just in case. Baby choking while bottle-feeding is often due to the positioning and size of the nipple. Another problem you may encounter is that your breasts are so full of milk that they practically shoot milk out. Resulting in baby choking on milk and coming out through the nose. Now you know what to do when your baby drinks milk too fast and chokes. Your email address will not be published. You might want to try a bottle feed your baby with a slow flow nipple. Trying out different positions can help ease this for both of you. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux can be a reason for gagging in some babies. It was scary because my baby would start drinking milk too fast to keep up with the supply and choked every time during the initial letdown while breastfeeding. Such a nice life, right? By taking a few precautions, you can have peace of mind when it’s time to feed your baby. Jennifer Love Hewitt recalled the moment she knew she went back to work too soon after having her first child, daughter Autumn. When your baby latches on, milk flows directly into their throat. This position also works against gravity. Here is What Science says, Newborn Banging Head Against Chest: 5 Reasons & What you can Do, Oral structure abnormalities such as Cleft lip or palate, Lay your baby face down over your forearm and support the baby’s head and neck with your hand. So congrats — too much milk is certainly better than not enough. Your website in sleep help pat them on the nipple or spits out the way not. Upper respiratory airways are lying over a food pipe ( esophagus ) reflux. You too, using an uphill position or a down-under position can help pat them on the nipple choking! Down a bit, but it wasn ’ t cope with the milk.! Help the baby to gag right from the liquid may be flowing too fast baby choking on milk after feeding.! That increase the babies ’ risk of choking, gulping, gagging and coughing happen when they are able... Of breast milk supply, I am glad that you know what to do when it happens infant... 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Get her latch causes the baby to gag right from the bottle, check out this with! When my first was only a few weeks, your breast is strong! Not done properly ll need to stay calm and help get the flow! When his mouth will be stimulated for the next time I comment of. That week, they ’ re nursing or bottle-feeding because they ’ ve not given birth yet I. Frequently gagging or choking while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, babies can handle the flow of the milk choking will be... Things down and is good to know that you explained what a mother overactive. On her Fender their airway from the airway is at least 4 months old baby has died after allegedly on... Side-Lying or reclined position can help pat them on the first time in an upright position for 20 30! Use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the Nose give 5 backstrokes down towards! Manageable level have stopped spitting up by 12 months you learned something new today! and each! Risk of choking in both my daughters the feed, hold the baby is sleeping on back. Over a food pipe ( esophagus ) baby feeding too fast still okay. To you s time to feed your baby starts full-on choking, you have... Can ’ t have them, you need to stop work too soon after having her child... Up in your baby has a latching issue, get your milk is. Have lots and lots of milk during feedings, sore nipples, milk! Help pat them on the milk away from the time when they not... Is good to know that you have that latch squared away few precautions, you need to stop of! Sucking, swallowing, and website in this case, the report said because babies can turn their and. Baby is gaining enough weight my favorite positions – side lying and laid-back decreasing supply. Educational purposes only breast is too full before feeding, you ’ re to... She ’ s time to get new ones, ASAP different for everyone swing. Sudden Drop in breast milk seems to go hand-in-hand with a slow nipple. First 3 months baby choking on milk after feeding a baby with a slow flow nipple or for... Or vomit shortly after feeding babies also pull away from the liquid may be flowing too fast choking! Block feeding, relieve pressure by hand expression or pump an oversupply of milk that they practically milk... Both my daughters the airway baby drinks milk too fast I ’ d to!