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The scariest thing that ever happened in my first year of motherhood was when I saw milk coming out of my newborn’s nose. Over and over! Each time she’d stop breathing for a few seconds, and it sent me into a panic. Now, I understand it looks scarier than it is, and I want to ease the minds of other moms going through this for the first time. I’m going to tell you exactly what to do when milk comes out of baby’s nose. I’ve gotten answers to specific questions from Dr. Leann Poston, MD and Professor May Ng, PhD so that you can feel safe trusting the information provided in this article as well. This article provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for specific professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you’ve read on this website or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. When should you be concerned about baby spit-up?You probably already know that spit-up is a totally normal part of being a baby. The only times you should really be concerned about it is when the baby:
Is milk coming through a baby’s nose normal?What does it mean when milk comes out of your baby’s nose? Believe it or not, milk running out of the nose is fairly common in newborns. It’s called nasal regurgitation. “The nose and mouth are connected at the throat so it is very normal for babies to have milk come out of both when they spit up or vomit,” assures Dr. Poston. Nasal regurgitation can look particularly alarming in small infants when a lot of breast milk or formula comes back up quickly. You might notice your baby gasping for air and milk coming out of their nose due to its forcefulness. This type of spit-up is often mistaken for vomiting at first, though nasal regurgitation can also happen during vomiting. We’ll discuss how to tell the difference between the two in a little bit. Why does milk come down my baby’s nose?In the simplest terms, babies take in a lot of fluid (breast milk or formula) relative to their size. It’s easy for them to take in too much, and they can quite literally overflow! There are many specific causes of spit-up in babies. Dr. Poston mentions:
Not surprisingly, there is also another uncontrollable cause of spit-up in babies:
As far as causes specific to milk coming out of baby’s nose, there are a few theories available (other than their nasopharynx not automatically closing):
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Your primary concern when your baby spits up through their nose is that they are not able to breathe. (I know it was my first thought!) Someone has probably told you about “dry drowning” and you’re frantic that even though the spit-up has stopped, something bad is still about to happen. Prof. Ng has assertively denied that this is a possibility. While the inability to breathe is uncomfortable, keep in mind that a few seconds without taking in oxygen does not hurt most people, nor should it hurt your baby. “They may become distressed as babies are essentially nose-breathers, but once the secretion is cleared, it usually does not interfere with breathing,” says Prof. Ng. You can attempt to clear the milk stuck in your baby’s nose with a nasal aspirator made for babies. Either way, your baby should instinctively breathe through their mouth until their sinuses are clear. Your baby will not suffocate from a stuffy nose. In rare instances, spit-up may get into the trachea, leading to aspiration and possible pneumonia. “Aspiration is when something enters the airway or lungs by accident… This can cause serious health problems, such as pneumonia. If the baby has difficulty breathing, turns blue, it warrants an urgent 911 call,” stresses Prof. Ng. You may need to put your baby on their side for a moment to stop the flow of milk out of their nose. If you suspect your baby has inhaled milk while spitting up but they are still breathing and have normal color, you should contact your doctor right away. Symptoms include fever, persistent cough, or difficulty breathing. Spit-Up vs. VomitProf. Ng illustrates the difference between spit-up and vomit. “Spitting up is a small amount of milk coming out after a feed, but vomiting is generally more forceful, projectile, and plentiful.” Dr. Poston adds, “While spit-up or the reflux of milk out-the nose and mouth are very common, vomiting, or the forceful expulsion of stomach contents, is not.” Seeing a newborn baby vomiting milk from the nose is even more shocking because of the force with which it can come out. I will never forget watching milk shoot out of my baby girl’s nose, eyes wide and unable to breathe. The keyword there is “shoot.” Vomit is not like the trickle of milk caused by spit-up. If your baby is throwing up and milk is coming with it, your baby will almost certainly have it come out of both their mouth and nose. If milk is only coming out of the baby’s nose and not in a spray, it is probably just spit-up. Spit-up is the reverse flow of the milk your baby has consumed. Vomit is caused by muscles contracting in the stomach, forcefully expelling it from the baby’s body. Causes of Vomiting in Infants
What to Do When Milk Comes Out of Baby’s Nose (and Mouth)When baby spits up through the nose, “wipe it away just as you do when it comes out of the mouth,” instructs Dr. Poston. “Keep your baby in an upright position. Holding a baby upright while they spit up or vomit helps protect their airway.“ Keep some practical advice in mind, as well:
What to Do when Milk Comes Out of Baby’s Nose and/or Mouth While SleepingIf your baby is sleeping when you notice milk coming out of their nose, it might not be necessary to wake them up (though they might on their own anyway). Wipe away the fluids as you normally would and make sure your baby is still breathing without difficulty. If your baby chokes on the milk flowing out, turn them to their side and stay with them until the milk stops coming out. Never leave a newborn on their side to sleep without supervision. If turning to the side does not prevent choking, you’ll need to pick your baby up and put them upright on your shoulder. How to Prevent Milk from Coming Out of Baby’s NoseUnfortunately, there is only so much you can do to control the exit points of your baby’s spit-up. “Since the back of the mouth and the back of the nose are continuous at the throat, parents cannot regulate whether milk comes out the mouth, nose, or both,” explains Dr. Poston. Prof. Ng does have a few tips for helping prevent spit-up in the first place, though.
Here are some other tips I’ve learned over the years that help prevent spit-up:
When do babies stop spitting up?“They tend to outgrow it after about 18 months or so,” says Dr. Poston, though you may notice considerable improvement around the six-month mark (when babies start sitting up on their own). However, keep in mind that it might get better before it gets worse! It’s common for spit-up to reach a peak around 4 months old. And remember… even adults regurgitate sometimes! (We’re all guilty of eating a little too much of our favorite foods, right?) When to Call a DoctorDr. Poston has some specific advice about when to seek help. “Do not intervene as long as your baby is breathing or coughing on their own. If your baby should stop breathing or turn blue, begin CPR and call for help immediately. If the spit-up does not look like milk, with a yellow or green tinge, call your doctor. Call if your baby is spitting up blood, losing weight or not gaining weight, or is excessively fussy.“ Spit-up that looks green, yellow, or red could be a sign of blockage that needs to be addressed. Also, if every single feeding results in your baby choking on milk coming out of their nose (or at all while sleeping), call your doctor immediately. Other things you should bring up to your pediatrician include if your baby:
Also, mother’s intuition is a very real thing. If something just feels wrong, or if your baby appears sick to you, contact your pediatrician and schedule a checkup. Michelle is a two-time veteran mom of almost seven years with a passion for family life, celebrations, food, and printables. Read more about her serendipitous journey to motherhood here. What does it mean when a baby gasps for air?It happens when a baby's larynx (or voice box) is soft and floppy. When the baby takes a breath, the part of the larynx above the vocal cords falls in and temporarily blocks the baby's airway. Laryngomalacia (luh-ring-oh-muh-LAY-shuh) usually gets better on its own by the time a baby is 1 year old.
How do you know if baby gets milk in lungs?What are the symptoms of aspiration in babies and children?. Weak sucking.. Choking or coughing while feeding.. Other signs of feeding trouble, like a red face, watery eyes, or facial grimaces.. Stopping breathing while feeding.. Faster breathing while feeding.. Voice or breathing that sounds wet after feeding.. |