5 causes of infant suffocation

 Infants are the most affected by suffocation, as the infant still cannot chew and his swallowing muscles have not strengthened, and his nervous and motor systems are in the process of growth and have not yet matured, and one of the most difficult situations that any mother may go through is seeing her infant suffocate, especially if she does not have The ability to deal with this condition, so in this article, we present to you the different causes of infant suffocation and how it can be dealt with.

CAUSES OF INFANT SUFFOCATION

There are many causes of infant suffocation, some of which are simple and easy to treat and deal with at home. Some of them are dangerous and require you to immediately intervene and provide first aid until reaching the nearest emergency.

• Infant suffocation during feeding.
• Infant suffocation during vomiting.
• Infant suffocation due to thick phlegm.
• Infant choking on food, which is the most common.
• Babies suffocate on objects in the home, such as marbles, small coins, and other objects.

Signs of severe suffocation include: 

• Suddenly stop breathing and talking.
• Unconsciousness.
• The lips and the rest of the skin have turned blue.

CAUSES OF INFANT SUFFOCATION DURING SLEEP

We have already mentioned that an infant cannot swallow as well as an adult. During sleep, saliva often collects in the mouth and due to the relaxation of the muscles of the throat and esophagus, some of the saliva seeps into the larynx and trachea.

This results in a feeling of suffocation, and as a reflex the infant coughs suddenly during sleep. image source The aforementioned, is a simple matter and you can do it easily, because the cough will help your baby to get rid of the excess saliva and the matter will end and your baby will return to his normal sleep.

But sometimes, the tonsils are large, which causes suffocation during sleep. Consult a pediatrician, if choking occurs frequently. Swallowing of the tongue during sleep rarely occurs. Pay attention to the serious signs of suffocation so that you can act properly at the right time.

Infant suffocation with milk  

This happens when your milk is thick, and your baby can’t swallow that much of your milk at once, so it builds up in his mouth and with his ability to swallow, some of the milk may seep into his throat and cause partial choking. Usually, choking on excess milk is a simple matter, because in reaction to the reflex, the infant will cough up.

And sometimes it happens that your breast causes the baby to suffocate, because your baby’s nostrils are blocked and breathing is blocked, so be careful to put your baby’s mouth around the nipple well and make sure that his nose is away from your breast.

INFANT SUFFOCATION WITH VOMITING

Vomiting is the exit of stomach fluid into the mouth through the esophagus, and the trachea – the airway – is located in front of the esophagus. Therefore, during vomiting, some stomach fluid may leak into the airway. It is good that gastric fluid entering the trachea causes coughing as a completely physiological reflex. And the occurrence of coughing, helps to expel stomach fluid out of the trachea and prevents suffocation. So all you have to do if you see your baby vomiting, is to keep him sitting or standing and let him cough until he calms down and returns to normal.

TREATING STINGING IN NEWBORNS  

Babies and newborns often suffer from partial suffocation or choking for the reasons mentioned earlier. So here are some tips to avoid and treat them: Always keep your baby’s body at a 45-degree angle while feeding. So that his head is raised from his body and not completely lying down. And you can put a light pillow under his head.

Keep your baby’s mouth close to the nipple and his nostrils open to you. Do not put your baby to bed immediately after feeding. And wait half an hour while he is sitting or raised, so that he does not vomit. And make sure you crack it.  If your baby snores a lot during sleep due to excessive saliva. It is better to sleep on one side or on his stomach.  

Finally, infant suffocation is common, especially during feeding and in the first year of life in general. The causes of infant suffocation vary, some are simple that can be treated at home, and others are an emergency and need immediate care. You know the difference between them, and keep your baby safe. Babies need special care.