Choking on spit-up advice or experience needed (kinda long) (Update in Comments)

coreyeliz · June 2014

Tonight was the most terrifying night of my life. Ellie periodically spits up out her nose, which we both hate. She has also spit up and choked herself before, but never like this. Tonight she was acting pretty colicky (new formula we're supplementing with, I think). After a long time of rocking/bouncing/pacing/swinging, I gave her some gas drops which seemed to be helping. DH then had her on a blanket and was doing bicycles with her legs which was working getting out some gas. But then she spit up, and she choked. DH grabbed her, flipped her over and started patting her on the back, but she didn't start breathing. Spit up was running out her nose and mouth, she was bright red, eyes wide, body stiff. So DH patted harder on her back, and I ran to get the snot sucker to clear her nose. It was long enough before she took a full breath, though, that I dialed 911. Thankfully, when the operator answered I was able to quickly say my baby choked on spit-up, but is breathing now and I'm calling her pediatrician. I had a long conversation with the nurse at my pedi's office while DH rocked and soothed Ellie. Then my actual pediatrician called and we had a talk too. I've been watching her like a hawk all night, but my pedi felt from my answers that her risk of aspiration is low. The trouble is the spitting up out the nose or spitting up and choking/gagging seems to be getting worse and I'm terrified now to lay Ellie down. We're seeing the pedi in the morning so he can examine her and we can make a plan, but I'm wondering if any of you M14 moms have dealt with anything similar. I feel like she must have reflux, though she doesn't seem upset when she spits up normally. It's just when it's out her nose (maybe every few days) and obviously this. The poor little thing screamed for half an hour afterward. Once we finally settled her down and she fell asleep, I cried my eyes out too. Even DH welled up. Any experience or advice would be great. We already put her on an incline to sleep. ETA: Sorry this is so long.

Sanibel21 · June 2014

LO here is a big spitter. There were times early on when she went silent and bluish around her lips, eyes wide, and body rigid, then finally coughed a bunch. The pedi said it was actually her protecting her own airway because liquid cannot obstruct and it's a natural reflex of a baby. Especially if it came up so quickly and caught her by surprise. She said if it started happening more often though she would want to investigate. But it didn't really pick up in frequency and it happens pretty rarely now and not as severe. Now that's just my experience and LO was a newborn. I don't know if the rule of thumb changes at a certain age. But I can empathize with how scary it is and I hope everything checks out ok!

YankeePeach08 · June 2014

No experience to share but I'm glad she is OK, that must have been terrifying!

LittlePigeon · June 2014

I don't have any personal experience, but that sounds horrible! I am so glad Ellie is okay.

The only thought I have is that maybe she has an allergy issue? I know my mom said that my sister had a lot of reflux issues as a baby and would spit up and choke constantly once she started formula, even though they tried various brands. It turned out she had a bunch of different allergies to soy, corn, coconut, cows milk, and on and on. I know a lot of formulas have corn and soy products in them. That might be something that could contribute since you're using formula?

ProudMommy030614 · June 2014

My ds1 did this alot. He was a preemie and had a lot of gerd problems. He had to sleep sitting up and was started on cereal at 2 months per his specialists orders. We had paramedics at our house so many times. I kept the sucker by him 24/7. Eventually (about 8 or 9 months old i think) he grew out of it and was able to get off of his meds. He will be 11 next month and has no stomach issues.

acdiaz11 · June 2014

I have no advice as a FTM, I can just sympathize with you.

We're on our first family vacation, and Lily had the biggest coughing episode yesterday. It was really terrifying. It seemed like she had something stuck in her throat and couldn't get it out. She kept coughing and spitting up and then the spit up turned to phlegm (sp?).

It's definitely a scary situation when our LO's can't tell us what's wrong. But it sounds like you did everything right. I hope her appointment goes well.

myfriendscallmemeg · June 2014

I've had my baby spit up and stop breathing too. I did what your husband did. It's scary as all get out but i think you handled it very well! I don't have any advice on how to stop it, just wanted to give you some Mommy Kudos.

coreyeliz · June 2014

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. This was definitely one of the scariest moments of my life. We just got back from the pediatrician, and we have a game plan going forward. Ellie has a medicine now to help her food move down a little more quickly. If she continues to have trouble we'll add an antacid. Her lungs sound great, and she's just fine today.

@LittlePigeon - You nailed it. Ellie has had pretty bad allergic colitis. I've cut out dairy, soy, eggs and peanuts. Turns out she's the 10% of babies who can't even tolerate Alimentum or Nutramigen. Given all the dietary changes and stress, my milk supply has taken a hit so I have to supplement. She is now on PurAmino, and her poop has gotten way better in just 3 days. Buuut...she has this reflux issue.

@babycaps - That's exactly what my pediatrician said. She was protecting her airway. He also said that she is having reflux issues so that's what we're dealing with now. This whole thing makes me so nervous to be going back to work in a week.

Anyway, thanks again ladies!

ErinE683 · June 2014

I agree, you seem to have handled it well! I feel your pain... My LO spits up a ton, and does her own weird choking thing multiple times a day. The Dr said it sounds liked she's spitting up without it actually coming all the way up, then she gags/chokes on it. Every time, it leads to these really intense, deep hiccups. She seems really uncomfortable, and it stresses me out every freaking time. I can't wait for her to grow out of the spitup phase! That's great that your pedi called, And that you're going in to talk more about it. I hope Ellie is feeling better!

[Deleted User] · June 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

wildhoney4508 · June 2014

Oh no! Sorry I'm 6 hrs late to this thread.

Gosh you miss so much when you go out for a whole day!!

Wow! I'm so sorry this happened to you! Sounded so scary, but at least it seems a though you have some answers. I hope she gets better soon! This is definitely an unsure time in our lives when these little beings are so unknown to us-such enigmas. Sounds like you did what was best for her-I hope you feel like you are a great mom who goes on her gut instincts. She only gets one mama, and she is so lucky to have you!

Ahutch428 · June 2014

I'm so glad you posted this, because something similar happened to us today. I was in the shower, and heard LO make a weird sound, DH came rushing in, and said she was drooling and then couldn't breath for a second. LO was bright red, and screaming. We have been watching her since, and plan on calling the doctor tomorrow. Thanks for the information on what it could possibly be! It makes me feel less worried.

coreyeliz · June 2014

Thank you so much for the support everyone! I wish this time when she is so small and so cute wasn't also so difficult and often scary.

@Ahutch428‌ - My pedi said red is the color you want them to turn because it means they're holding their breath and protecting their airway. I'm sorry that happened to you today too. Definitely so scary. I hope everything goes well when you call the pedi tomorrow. Mine also recommended not laying LO flat for 30 minutes after she eats. That wouldn't have made a difference last night since she hadn't eaten in over an hour, but it can't hurt.

Ahutch428 · June 2014

Thanks! And I'm so sorry for your scare!

ErinE683 · June 2014

snow527 said:

ErinE683 said:

I agree, you seem to have handled it well! I feel your pain... My LO spits up a ton, and does her own weird choking thing multiple times a day. The Dr said it sounds liked she's spitting up without it actually coming all the way up, then she gags/chokes on it. Every time, it leads to these really intense, deep hiccups. She seems really uncomfortable, and it stresses me out every freaking time. I can't wait for her to grow out of the spitup phase! That's great that your pedi called, And that you're going in to talk more about it. I hope Ellie is feeling better!

@erine683 This is exactly what my DD does! She never throws up, it like gets stuck halfway up and she starts gagging/choking. What is your pedi having you do about it? We have an appointment on Wednesday, but I have to leave her with my mom and ILs tomorrow and Tuesday beforehand

@snow527, sorry, I just saw this! My pedi said it's fine, and I don't need to do anything besides wait for her to grow out of it. UGH. Let me know if your Pedi says anything different. Last night we had our first spit up experience where it went up her nose... she was SCREAMING after, and I felt so bad. But like others have said, she turned red and coughed and did all the things that her body naturally does to protect itself. It doesn't make it any less stressful though!

[Deleted User] · June 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

ErinE683 · June 2014

@snow527, hopefully they'll grow out of it soon!! That's all I got

[Deleted User] · June 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Pankers · June 2014

My LO has done this a few times but it was just spit up. It's terrifying when it happens, first time she was 5 days old. We had her sleep in a rock and play and kept her upright for 30 mins after feeding. She's been flat in her crib with no issues for 3 weeks. I notice it happens when she spits up and doesn't move her head to the side. Glad you got it sorted, it is petrifying. I was also told to blow in LOs face if she's struggling. Not done it yet, it's supposed to trigger them into coughing???

Want a personalized experience?

Choking on spit-up advice or experience needed (kinda long) (Update in Comments)

Re: Choking on spit-up advice or experience needed (kinda long) (Update in Comments)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards