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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Baby gagging on nipple

12 replies

GashleyCrumbTiny · 11/11/2016 11:33

Two month old, breastfeeding has been going pretty well (after a bit of bumpy start!) but over the past few days, she's started gagging on my nipple. I've tried Googling but that keeps suggesting it's fast letdown - it isn't. She'll do a five/ten minute feed fine, come off for a burp or just a break, then when she goes to latch back on seems to gag on my nipple as if it's going too far back in her mouth. She isn't getting to latch on so it's not a question of how fast the milk it then coming out - she can't get herself latched back on without gagging.

It's horrible listening to her cough and gasp for air after this happens. She's always had a tendency to guzzle and gulp, and sometimes ends up making choking sounds if she's goes at it too fast - but this is worse. She doesn't seem distressed by it, but it's still kind of worrying. Has anyone experienced this? It's not happening every feed, but probably every other one. Last night she gagged so much she threw up everywhere (EVERYWHERE) and I'm worried she's effectively only getting half the feed she needs if she can't latch back on when she wants to. Like I said - it's not forceful letdown. The problem happens when she's trying to latch on, so before there's any milk coming.

OP posts:
GashleyCrumbTiny · 14/11/2016 19:33

Nobody? Don't think it's something I should bother doctor with but she really gasps and wheezes when it happens. :(

OP posts:
Kstar8 · 15/11/2016 05:57

Hi there, have you been to any breastfeeding drop in sessions near to where you live? They are often run out of children's centres and could help observe the latch and offer advice. You can also find a local la leche league meeting for similar support.
Does this happen in every feeding position? Is it possible to try other positions to see if another angle would allow her to take the nipple properly? A local BF counsellor in the drop ins would be able to show you different positions that might help.

Kstar8 · 15/11/2016 05:59

I know that wasn't a very insightful post but some issues with BF really are best observed to be able to advise on. Hoping someone else comes along with more advice!

GashleyCrumbTiny · 15/11/2016 19:04

Thank you! Position doesn't seem to make a difference but there are some breastfeeding groups in could try. It may be nothing but it sounds horrendous! It's not been happening long and I can't think what's changed but I'll see if the experts have any advice.

OP posts:
Amai666 · 02/09/2019 21:07

Hi I am not sure if you can see this but my baby has exactly the same issue. Would you be able to share what has happened since then? Did the issue resolve on its own ?

DungeonDweller · 05/09/2019 19:52

I've had identical! Everyone said fast letdown but that doesn't make sense if baby isn't on. Please update if you get anywhere op.

Amai666 · 07/09/2019 20:38

my Lactation consultant thinks it’s because of positioning and baby drinking too fast that the stomach content from the first feed comes back up and triggers the gag reflex. I am trying to burp her often and putting her in upright position for 20 mins after feeds thinking it could well be reflux . He is also a baby who gulps down milk within 5-1” mins , always drinking in a lot of air too and often needs to stop a few times to cough during the feed. how about your LO , does he/she do the same? have you tried anything that seems to reduce the gag?

CZmum · 12/09/2019 12:28

Did anyone in this thread manage to resolve this issue and if so, do you please have any advice to share? The exact same thing has happened to me today with my seven week old. She feeds for a while but maybe only five or so minutes before she comes off. She then indicates that she’s still hungry but gags on the nipple when I try to put her back on. It’s happened every feed today so far.

Ally198734 · 09/07/2020 05:36

Did anyone get any positive feedback? My daughter is almost 2 months and she also does the same thing I thought maybe it was because my nipple tasted weird after the feeding? So I went and washed it but she still gagged at it. And yesterday she gagged so much she threw up all over her and the bed HELP! thank you!

MrPatrickHenry · 12/11/2020 04:18

We just took our 10 week old girl (oldest twin with infant growth restriction) to the hospital she constantly gags, only eating 2.5 oz a feed & is throwing up now. Drs said it could be lactose intolerance but parent instinct says no something is wrong. Other twin is doing solid & eats loads. She doesn’t look well & cries with actual tears.

MamaGallina · 02/03/2021 10:09

Hello,
So what was the issue with your baby?
Thank you

2boysmom2 · 09/09/2022 02:22

I am posting this in hopes it helps a mom with this same issue even though this is an older thread. My baby has this same issue. I went to a chiropractor that specializes in pregnancy and infants and it is SO worth it. There’s a muscle or ligament that is tight on him, (on the side of the roof of his mouth), there are massages you can do to help loosen it and help them get a deeper latch without gagging. Anyone with this same issue I would suggest setting up an appointment for your infant to a chiropractor who specializes in infants.

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