My baby chokes when nursing?

Question

My 4 week old daughter chokes every time she nurses or takes a bottle...she has since she was born. The doctor says its due to acid reflux, but it seems more than that.

Has anyone else had this happen?

Answer 1

During nursing, it may be because of your letdown. If you have a large letdown, it basically squirts out and can choke the baby. My sister-in-law had that problem and she got a nipple shield (you can get them at Target or at a lactation boutique) and it helped until her son was old enough not to be choked by her letdown. For bottle feeding, it may just be that the nipple is too long, or too fast. Try different nipples and different types. My daughter has a really strong gag reflex, so we have to be really careful when we give her a bottle, because if we just stick it in she tends to gag on it. (the same with her pacifier). She also likes latex better than silicone, so you may try the different types of that too. Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes! I thought I was the only one, my son is now 7 months old and has learned how to keep from choking while eating, at least for the most part, but has alot of damage to his esophagus and is under weight because it is uncomfortable to swallow. The first thing the docotrs said it was, was that my milk flow was a little too fast for him. But if your doctor thinks its reflux, then he has already ruled that out. I would be sure to talk to your doctor about medication and different feeding techniques, like elevation and maybe an A.R. Lipil formula, it contains a rice starch that thicken in the tummy to prevent reflux. Also, gas med (simethicone drops) will help. My son had to be switched to a more sensitive formula and I had to stop breast feeding, He is going in for a swallow study at dornbeckers hospital and takes prevacid. Hopefully your daughter will grow out of it before it comes to that. And if you think it is more than that, don't hesitate, talk to her doctor and demand a referal to see a specialist at a feeding clinic! My son's doctor just kept ignoring my concerns till the were too bad to ingore.

Answer 3

Was she a preemie? My son was almost 3 months early with severe reflux and we had to teach him how to take a bottle. You have to pace them. When giving a bottle if she starts eating too fast take the bottle out. Use a nipple with a smaller hole. Only give a couple of oz at a time...giving too much at one time can cause a baby with reflux to projectile vomit. Talk to her doctor about liquid medication for the reflux.

Answer 4

My baby used to do it for the 1st few weeks. They said it was all the goo left in her lungs from being born, and she did eventually stop after 2 weeks. Maybe your baby is just drinking too fast because she is hungry. I'm sure she will grow out of it, but if you are worried, just get a 2nd opinion from the doc or health visitor...that is what they are there for.

Actually i just remembered that my baby used to choke and gag quite alot and I went on and on to the health visitor. She put her fingers in her mouth to check for a cleft pallet, becasue that can cause choking. You could ask the health visoter about that. but i'm sure its nothing...as long as she is getting food she will be healthy x

Answer 5

My son has did the same thing when he was born already up till about a few weeks ago.hes 10 weeks now.. She may trying to drinking it fast. My doctor told me that it was normal and i shouldn't worry about it. He said just to let him eat about 2 ounces and let him take a break then feed him again another 2 ounces. and so and so.. hope i helped.

Answer 6

My son is 11 weeks and tends to choke quite alot when nursing or taking a bottle. I think its coz he guzzles alot.

Answer 7

it might be the case that he/she my have shortness of breath