Why does my baby gag when sleeping? The gag reflex is when a baby’s throat muscles close involuntarily, usually because of a light touch to the back of the throat. Some babies do this often, and some rarely.
Babies can gag when sleeping for many reasons, and these usually involve issues with their developing gag reflexes: The Gag Reflex A newborn is born with an immature gag reflex.
The gag reflex is a normal body response to touch, pressure, or stimulation applied to the throat and mouth.
Why does my baby gag when sleeping?
Babies can gag when sleeping for many reasons, and these usually involve issues with their developing gag reflexes:
The Gag Reflex
A newborn is born with an immature gag reflex. The gag reflex is a normal body response to touch, pressure, or stimulation applied to the throat and mouth.
Most newborns gag when something touches the back of their throat. This usually causes them to throw up.
Many babies have trouble getting adequate nutrition because they can’t keep food moving down their stomachs. When this happens, babies can throw up, which causes them to gag more often.
Gagging and regurgitating may also prevent newborns from getting sufficient nutrition. Babies who can control their gag reflexes may still be gagging because they are sick.
The more often a baby gags, the more it becomes a habit that worsens. Babies who gag frequently should have their airways carefully checked by a medical professional.
Why does my baby gag when sleeping? Best 5 reasons
1. Sickness
Most babies gag when they are sick. Gagging is likely to occur if your baby has a sore throat or an ear infection. Check with a doctor if you suspect your baby is sick and is gagging.
2. Positioning
Make sure you are placing your baby comfortably in his crib and not pushing on his soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth). Make sure his head is elevated by several pillows, but don’t overstuff the crib!
3. Reflux
Reflux causes gagging and coughing. To stop this, check with your paediatrician to determine if your baby’s reflux is being treated.
If it is, try to feed him in an upright or semi-reclining position. Remember that while gagging and coughing can be related to reflux, they can also occur because of poor positioning and stomach problems.
4. Respiratory Causes
Pacifiers can cause vocalization, which is gagging. Respiratory gagging causes include pneumonia, ear infections, sinus problems, and other chronic respiratory illnesses.
Suffering from one of these can cause your baby to gag more often than normal. If your baby has a cold, it will affect not only his immune system but also his ability to swallow.
Consult with a paediatrician about treating this or any respiratory illness or infection.
5. Tickling
Overstimulation of the gag reflex can cause gagging and coughing. It is important to continue being gentle with your baby, especially when tickling him.
The gag reflex is one of the best natural ways for babies to cry relatively safely. When you tend to overstimulate your baby, however, you may get into a lot of trouble with his gag reflex naturally crying out because he can’t handle it.
Babies with seizures when they are sleeping should be seen by their doctor immediately because these events can be life-threatening.
Is there a problem when the baby has a gag when sleeping?
A baby’s gag reflex is a normal reaction to touching or pressure on the back of the throat. It helps the newborn keep food and liquids from coming back up because they may choke if they aspirate.
Gagging and regurgitating may also prevent infants from swallowing properly due to immature swallow reflexes, sometimes present at birth. Most of these babies will outgrow this during their first year.
Continued gagging or repeated vomiting after the first few weeks of life may be caused by a physical problem, such as airway obstruction. Babies who gag frequently should have their airways carefully checked by a medical professional.
One-quarter to one-third of babies experience recurrent vomiting and choking during their first month. This is not usually a sign of anything serious, and most babies outgrow it by three to six months.
Parents should not feel guilty if their child is gagging when sleeping. The child does not need medication for this; it will improve over time.
Why does my baby gag between feedings?
Babies who still tear or swallow solid foods at 6 months of age have a great chance of developing severe gagging and regurgitating problems within a few days.
If the baby is gagging during or after a feeding, you should talk to your paediatrician about it. This is not a serious problem and is usually resolved without medical treatment.
Gagging and regurgitating may prevent an infant from taking in enough nutrition from their food. If this continues for more than a few days, the doctor may be able to help by adjusting the baby’s formula or feeding schedule.
What You Need to Know About Baby Gagging
◉ Babies who gag frequently should have their airways carefully checked by a medical professional.
◉ Gagging and regurgitating may also prevent newborns from swallowing properly due to immature swallow reflexes, sometimes present at birth.
◉ Most of these babies will outgrow this during their first year.
◉ One-quarter to one-third of babies experience recurrent vomiting and choking during their first month. This is not usually a sign of anything serious, and most babies outgrow it by three to six months.
Who’s at Risk for Gagging?
1. Babies who are born prematurely.
2. Infants whose mothers use alcohol or drugs during pregnancy.
3. Babies diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes stomach acids to flow back into the oesophagus.
Why do babies gag?
Babies may gag because:
◉ Your baby’s gag reflex isn’t fully developed. Gagging is common in babies, and it isn’t usually a sign of a serious problem. Babies who regurgitate frequently are at risk of vomiting and choking, which can cause them to choke, develop pneumonia or suffer from dehydration.
If your baby is gagging, talk to their doctor about whether they need to change their diet or medicine.
◉ Your breast milk may be too thick for your baby. Thick breast milk can cause babies to gag and make them vomit. If your baby is gagging, talk to your doctor about whether they need to change breast milk or formula.
Gagging Cough in Babies: What Should You Do?
You’re watching your older baby sleep and suddenly notice she’s coughing. The coughing stops, and she goes back to sleep. But then, about an hour later, she wakes up with a gagging cough. Now you’ve got a problem!
This type of coughing is commonly referred to as a “cough-coated” or “gagging” cough in babies. It usually occurs the day after their first regular feeding from breast milk or formula, with similar feeds the next day.
If a baby has a cough-coated or gagging cough, don’t worry. It’s nothing serious and will stop as the child grows out of it.
The reason babies get a gagging cough is that their immature upper airways haven’t developed properly. Their windpipe (trachea) is much narrower at birth than an older child’s.
As you might expect, their main function is to help a newborn clear that windpipe of food and liquid when inhaling.
When a baby takes in a mouthful of food, it will travel down the oesophagus and into the stomach. When she breathes out to clear her airway, that food and liquid have to return.
How does a baby get rid of Gagging stuff?
Sometimes, the baby can’t breathe, so it needs something to breathe through. The baby has a reflex to breathe through the mouth, which means they will use the chest for breathing. If the food didn’t come back up, it would keep coming back up until they couldn’t breathe or vomit.
When a baby reaches two to three months of age, he’ll be able to swallow properly. Though gagging is normal in a new baby, some gagging can be sign of something wrong.
How Long Does a Gagging Cough in Babies Last?
A baby will usually get over a gagging cough two to three weeks after her first feeds from breast milk or formula. In the meantime, take these precautionary steps:
1. Hold your baby upright for up to 30 minutes after her feed times and burp her often. This will help her cough up any remaining food and liquid before it becomes a problem.
2. Since the risk of developing a gagging cough is even higher when the baby’s family members have allergies, try to keep your home free of dust and dander.
3. Avoid overfeeding your baby. This means no more than about one ounce at every feed for young babies and half an ounce for older babies. If breastfeeding, try feeding in smaller amounts more frequently than large amounts every few hours.
4. If your baby still has the problem after one week, don’t worry!
This sign that your baby’s current feeding schedule is causing the problem. You can change this feeding schedule and see if this solves the problem.
Final Thoughts
Gagging is a reflex that’s intended to protect your baby from choking. When a baby has trouble learning to swallow, gagging can cause them to regurgitate food. If your child is gagging all the time, talk with your doctor about what might be causing this problem.
They will help you figure out ways to remove the problem, allowing your child to take in enough nutrition and enjoy feeding.
Even though gagging usually isn’t serious in babies, it may be if it occurs during feeding. If your baby is frequently gagging and you have concerns, talk to their doctor about whether they need to change their diet or medicine.
FAQs
When should I worry about baby gagging?
You should contact your doctor if your baby is frequently gagging and you have concerns about her health.
Will my baby outgrow gagging?
Yes. Most babies outgrow frequent gagging by turning 6 to 8 months old.
Why do babies gag?
Gagging is a reflex that’s intended to protect your baby from choking. When a baby has trouble learning to swallow, gagging can cause them to regurgitate food.
Why does my baby gag when lying down?
The gagging reflex is especially strong in a baby lying down. The mind-body connection may be causing her to choke as she tries to breathe through her mouth.
What is the most effective way to help prevent my baby from gagging?
Talk with your doctor about your concerns regarding your child’s health, diet, and activities. They will tell you how best to help prevent frequent gagging in your baby.
Why does my baby sound like he’s choking in his sleep?
The gag reflex is a safety mechanism that helps keep your baby breathing. If your baby is gagging while sleeping, he may be waking up with food and liquid in his windpipe.
How long does gagging last?
Gagging will usually stop when your baby reaches two to three months of age.
Is it normal for babies to make themselves gag?
No. It’s a reflex and is completely normal during times of food and liquid training.
How can I make my baby stop gagging?
Talk with your doctor about your concerns regarding your child’s health, diet, and activities. They will help you figure out ways to remove the problem, allowing your child to take in enough nutrition and enjoy feeding.
