Patient's question:
A 55-day-old infant has not been feeding well in the last two days, eating a couple of mouthfuls and then pausing. It may be due to a respiratory infection with phlegm. How can I help clear the phlegm from a newborn?Doctor's answer:
The best time for back percussion to clear mucus is after waking up in the morning. At night, due to body position, a large amount of mucus tends to accumulate in the respiratory tract. During regular back percussion, it should be performed before the child feeds or eats to prevent excessive shaking from causing vomiting, which could affect nutrient absorption.