Suggest Treatment For An Infant Choking On Formula Feed
Proper technique and use of nipple shield should help.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. I understand that you have flat nipple but that would hardly matter. Proper technique (putting the entire areola in the mouth) as well as the use of silicone nipple shields should help in resolving the problem. You can scissor your index and middle finger on either side of the nipple while the baby is sucking, and use it to control the flow of milk. Regulating the flow if needed would help in overcoming the problem of choking.
Babies have a low muscle tone especially at the junction of the food pipe and stomach. This increasing the chances of reflux, thus giving rise to the hiccups. They are to be considered accceptable and not a cause for concen. Proper burping will ensure that the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration.
Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. Moreover they make the child more prone to complications and infections. Mother's breast milk is produced on the demand of the baby. Hungrier the baby, more vigorous is the suck. More is the suck, more is the amount of breast milk produced. Giving formula automatically reduces the demand of the baby and thereby the production of breast milk. All you need to do is to switch back to exclusive breast feeding and the production will increase automatically.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Breast feeding would be the best
Detailed Answer:
As I have already mentioned, the benefits of breast milk are simply unmatched in comparison to formula feeds. Moreover, you need not worry about the quantity as your body would automatically readjust the production based on the suck/demand of the baby. Use a nipple shield and latching him on should not be a problem. Take a syringe, pull the piston out, cut out the closed end (where the needle fits), insert the piston from this newly cut end, put the other end over the nipple and pull over it. The nipple would be in a better position to suck upon and the flat nipple should not be a problem.
The fullness or adequacy of the feeds is to be determined based on the urine output. If the child passes urine more than 6-8 times in 24 hours, consider the feeds to be adequate.
Regards
Shifting back to breast milk will reverse the harm
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Shifting back to breast milk will reverse the harm that is likely to be caused due to formula feeding or bottle feeding. If you shift back to breast milk, future harm is unlikely.
Regards
The flow of milk is overwhelming the baby
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back again. Startling is different from choking. It is acceptable for the baby to get startled or overwhelmed by the flow of milk. In such a case you need to regulate the flow by scissoring the nipple between fingers, as already suggested.
Once the child gets used to a stable flow, it would not be a cause for concern.
Regards