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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Choking During Sleep In An Infant?

My 6 month old baby (about 17 lbs, 27 inches, was 2 months premature) had an issue last night with what seemed like gagging/choking in his sleep. Which then would make him scream. Once he calmed down and that all stopped he was fine and has been fine since. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do. He has been drooling a lot and I think he is teething. For the most part since he has bee able to roll over on his own he sleeps on his stomach and sometimes his side.
Fri, 5 Feb 2016
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Emergency Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello there,

A baby who gags in their sleep is more than likely caused by spitting up. Whether a child is breast fed or bottle fed, any can spit up. It could be due to an intolerance of the formula or an intolerance of a food that mom is eating. Some babies will have acid reflux and parents won't even know. They tend to do it when they are lying flat on their back, so sleeping. I would encourage you to look into possible acid reflux and try to notice if you baby is swallowing a lot of makes a face and then swallows. this will usually happen within an hour of eating. There is a medication to treat acid reflux. Along with the medication, I would encourage you to keep your baby in the upright position for 45 minutes after eating or drinking. This will allow the food to digest.

Let us know if there is anything else we can help with! Good luck!
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What Causes Choking During Sleep In An Infant?

Hello there, A baby who gags in their sleep is more than likely caused by spitting up. Whether a child is breast fed or bottle fed, any can spit up. It could be due to an intolerance of the formula or an intolerance of a food that mom is eating. Some babies will have acid reflux and parents won t even know. They tend to do it when they are lying flat on their back, so sleeping. I would encourage you to look into possible acid reflux and try to notice if you baby is swallowing a lot of makes a face and then swallows. this will usually happen within an hour of eating. There is a medication to treat acid reflux. Along with the medication, I would encourage you to keep your baby in the upright position for 45 minutes after eating or drinking. This will allow the food to digest. Let us know if there is anything else we can help with! Good luck!