Warning signs that baby is aspirating:
- Ongoing need or increasing supplemental oxygen
- Frequent illness (respiratory related, pneumonia)
SUBTLE SIGNS THAT BABY IS ASPIRATING
- apnea (breathing stops for longer than 15-20 sec) and bradycardia (heart rate slows)
- watery eyes
- eyebrow raising, sudden gasp, hyperalert (think of a startle gasp)
- turns head away, refuses to feed (baby’s body knows and is trying to protect itself)
- nasal flaring (little nose holes flare open during drinking, followed by quick inhalation)
- skin color changes
- sudden state or tone changes (baby goes from being comfortably alert to screaming and upset, baby suddenly goes limp and unresponsive)
OBVIOUS SIGNS THAT BABY IS ASPIRATING
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Turning blue
- Refusing to feed
- Wet cry/voice after feeding
- Physiological instability (O2 sats or heart rate drop)
What should you do? Start taking notes. If you have concerns, then write down your evidence why.
- When is this happening? time of day? every feed?
- What’s baby’s state before/during/after feeding?
- Does changing position make a difference?
- Does changing the flow rate / nipple make a difference
Please, please, if you suspect that your child is aspirating during feeding contact your primary care physician or pediatrician.
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