Patient's question:
Back pain, curled toes, finger twitching Cesarean section third day back pain Former treatment and effectiveness: The doctor told you to pay attention, not to choke on milk, no effective measures were taken What kind of assistance is needed: How to treat and the cause of the diseaseDoctor's answer:
Never let the baby choke on milk! Suggestions:1. First, enhance care. During feeding, the milk flow should not be too fast. For breastfeeding, you can use the "scissors method" to let the milk flow slowly. If the breasts are overfull, you can first express a lot of milk to reduce the fullness. When feeding, the baby can be in a semi-reclined position, and burping should be done after feeding. If stable care does not improve choking, seek medical attention for a thorough examination.
2. Infants and young children often spit up milk due to their unique physiological structures. If they spit up a large amount, they may also inhale the milk into their airways. The nervous system of infants is still developing, and many reflexes are weak. They cannot expel milk that has entered their airways. As a result, they may experience breathing difficulties again due to mechanical blockage of the airway by milk. Additionally, infant brain cells are very sensitive to oxygen. If oxygen supply is cut off for 5 minutes, they may die. Therefore, it is very likely to lead to sudden infant death.
So, if an infant chokes on milk and experiences suffocation, how should first aid be administered? Generally, infants who choke and have difficulty breathing may turn blue, roll their eyes up, have convulsions, stop breathing or have irregular breathing, and may spit up milk, foam, fresh blood, or dark fluid. In this case, adults should immediately provide first aid on the spot, quickly rouse the infant. If they can cry out, the rescue will be half successful. If ineffective, turn the infant's head to one side, open their mouth, and use fingers or small gauze pieces to clear the milk from their throat. For milk that cannot be reached deep inside, it is best to suck it out with a mouth-to-mouth method. Then, perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation with appropriate force to relieve the brain of oxygen deprivation.
All rescue actions must be quick and without hesitation. If the rescue is not effective, the infant must be rushed to the pediatric department of the hospital for medical treatment. For infants who spit up frequently, parents should observe them closely and elevate the head of the bed slightly to keep the infant in a semi-reclined position. During feeding, the head should be kept slightly higher, and after feeding, the infant should be held upright, their back gently patted until they burp, and then placed back in bed. At night, parents should observe the infant regularly for any vomiting, breathing, or sleeping posture changes.
Additionally, lactating mothers should ensure that the nipple does not block the infant's mouth or nose, causing breathing difficulties or suffocation. The esophageal opening and the tracheal opening are connected in the throat. The worst thing about vomiting is when milk flows back from the esophagus to the throat and is mistakenly inhaled into the trachea during breathing, known as choking. A large amount can cause tracheal blockage and inability to breathe, endangering life; a small amount may be directly inhaled deep into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia.
Mild spitting up or milk leakage can be adjusted by the baby themselves, and they will not inhale it into the trachea. As long as the baby's breathing and skin color are closely monitored, there is no need for concern. If the baby spits up a large amount, follow these methods:
1. If the baby vomits while lying flat, quickly turn their head to one side to prevent vomit from flowing backward into the throat and trachea.
2. Wrap a cloth around your fingers and insert them into the infant's mouth, even into the throat, to quickly remove any milk or food that has been spit up, ensuring the airway remains clear. Then, use a small cotton swab to clean the nostrils.
3. If the baby holds their breath or their complexion darkens, it may mean the vomit has entered the trachea. Place the baby face down on your knee or the bed and firmly pat their back 4–5 times to help them cough it out.
4. If this is still ineffective, immediately pinch or press the soles of the feet to make the baby cry, increasing their breathing. At this point, the most important thing is to ensure they get oxygen into their lungs, rather than wasting time trying to remove the foreign object.
During this process, the baby should also be taken to the hospital for a thorough examination. If the baby's breathing is smooth after choking, it is best to try to make them cry a little harder to observe their breathing and exhalation for any abnormalities (such as a weak voice, difficulty breathing, or severe chest depression). If any abnormalities are found, take them to the hospital. If the baby cries loudly, has strong breath, and a rosy complexion, it means they are fine.