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Suggest Treatment For An Infant Choking On Formula Feed

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Posted on Thu, 12 Jan 2017
Question: Hello my baby is 14 days old...i introduced him bottle from day 7 as i m having flat nipples....m giving him both formula n breastmilk by expressing it....after so much practice i make him latch evn my flat nipple by putting d whole aerola...nw d prblm is he choked every 2 min of feed n refused to take nthr nw in bottle also he used to choked....n hiccups after every feed...feelin so helpless
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Proper technique and use of nipple shield should help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. I understand that you have flat nipple but that would hardly matter. Proper technique (putting the entire areola in the mouth) as well as the use of silicone nipple shields should help in resolving the problem. You can scissor your index and middle finger on either side of the nipple while the baby is sucking, and use it to control the flow of milk. Regulating the flow if needed would help in overcoming the problem of choking.

Babies have a low muscle tone especially at the junction of the food pipe and stomach. This increasing the chances of reflux, thus giving rise to the hiccups. They are to be considered accceptable and not a cause for concen. Proper burping will ensure that the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration.

Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. Moreover they make the child more prone to complications and infections. Mother's breast milk is produced on the demand of the baby. Hungrier the baby, more vigorous is the suck. More is the suck, more is the amount of breast milk produced. Giving formula automatically reduces the demand of the baby and thereby the production of breast milk. All you need to do is to switch back to exclusive breast feeding and the production will increase automatically.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
m feeding him formula 3ce a day.....is it goin to cause ne prblm to him...as m nt producing ngh milk n it was very hard to make him latch everytm.....n he was nvr full aftr feed
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Breast feeding would be the best

Detailed Answer:
As I have already mentioned, the benefits of breast milk are simply unmatched in comparison to formula feeds. Moreover, you need not worry about the quantity as your body would automatically readjust the production based on the suck/demand of the baby. Use a nipple shield and latching him on should not be a problem. Take a syringe, pull the piston out, cut out the closed end (where the needle fits), insert the piston from this newly cut end, put the other end over the nipple and pull over it. The nipple would be in a better position to suck upon and the flat nipple should not be a problem.

The fullness or adequacy of the feeds is to be determined based on the urine output. If the child passes urine more than 6-8 times in 24 hours, consider the feeds to be adequate.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (19 minutes later)
as i already feed him formula n introduced bottle so soon...will it goin to cause ne prblm in future fr my baby?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Shifting back to breast milk will reverse the harm

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Shifting back to breast milk will reverse the harm that is likely to be caused due to formula feeding or bottle feeding. If you shift back to breast milk, future harm is unlikely.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 hours later)
hello again doc.....but m nt getting why he choked in every feed even on breastfeeding...i kip on expressing and emptyin milk but he still choked....cant suck fr mre den 5 min
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
The flow of milk is overwhelming the baby

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back again. Startling is different from choking. It is acceptable for the baby to get startled or overwhelmed by the flow of milk. In such a case you need to regulate the flow by scissoring the nipple between fingers, as already suggested.

Once the child gets used to a stable flow, it would not be a cause for concern.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For An Infant Choking On Formula Feed

Brief Answer: Proper technique and use of nipple shield should help. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. I understand that you have flat nipple but that would hardly matter. Proper technique (putting the entire areola in the mouth) as well as the use of silicone nipple shields should help in resolving the problem. You can scissor your index and middle finger on either side of the nipple while the baby is sucking, and use it to control the flow of milk. Regulating the flow if needed would help in overcoming the problem of choking. Babies have a low muscle tone especially at the junction of the food pipe and stomach. This increasing the chances of reflux, thus giving rise to the hiccups. They are to be considered accceptable and not a cause for concen. Proper burping will ensure that the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. Moreover they make the child more prone to complications and infections. Mother's breast milk is produced on the demand of the baby. Hungrier the baby, more vigorous is the suck. More is the suck, more is the amount of breast milk produced. Giving formula automatically reduces the demand of the baby and thereby the production of breast milk. All you need to do is to switch back to exclusive breast feeding and the production will increase automatically. Let me know if I could help further. Regards