3-week old baby choking during feeds

[BeeBread]

Hi everyone,

My new little DS is EBF. The feeding is generally going well, but about 5-6 times he has choked (so very much the minority).

A couple of these choking sessions have been positively scary - he stops making any noise (no coughing or inhaling noises) until eventually, after much rubbing and walloping, he gets a bit of breath and the rattly inhalations begin. He gets very red but I don't know whether he changes colour.

I get scared.

Sorry for the drama but could he die? Or suffer from oxygen deprivation?

What can I do to help him when it happens, or to stop it happening in the first place?

Thanks

What is your letdown like? Mine is very fast and sometimes it's like a fire hydrant has gone off in DD's mouth and this can make her choke. She usually comes off and splutters for a bit whilst I spray milk everywhere and then she's ok again.

Speak to your health nurse or a lactation consultant. My DS choked from time to time but never to the extent you describe - he would just splutter and vomit it out. I agree with showtunegirl - it's possibly your milk coming out too fast. As he gets older he'll be able to drink it faster. But he's also learning as he's going too, and you and him will both figure out what to do.

Breastfeed him sitting up too- if he's on his side it's easier for him I think. When I breastfeed DS lying down with him lying across me he often chokes so Ive stopped doing that!

BeeBread - you need to call/see your health visitor or doctor about this. It's almost certainly something unrelated to anything except possibly a reaction to fast let down, but just occasionally, babies who have difficulty co-ordinating swallowing and sucking and breathing need investigation.

Speak to someone today - don't leave it until after the weekend. Your HV should be able to take calls this morning - many of them are available then.