Question
My baby is about one month old, and it always coughs while feeding, and sometimes the milk comes out of its nostrils. It sometimes takes a long time for the baby to catch its breath. What should I do if my baby often coughs milk out of its nose?
Answer
Infants have not yet fully developed the sensory and neuromuscular coordination of the pharyngeal mucosa, making them prone to spitting up and coughing milk. Mild spitting up and coughing milk can be adjusted by the baby itself as it gradually adjusts its breathing and swallowing actions, and usually does not lead to aspiration into the trachea. Just closely observe the baby’s breathing condition and lip color. However, if severe coughing milk occurs, it may lead to milk aspiration into the trachea, causing cyanosis, difficulty breathing, or even suffocation, which requires immediate attention. After feeding, you can hold the baby upright and gently pat its back to help expel gas from the stomach.