Instructions for handling choking milk for babies

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Professor, Doctor, Doctor Pham Nhat An - Director of Pediatric Center cum Head of Pediatric Inpatient Department - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Choking milk is an extremely dangerous but very common complication for babies, the consequences of choking milk are very severe if not handled promptly. Therefore, it is necessary to equip those who directly take care of children with knowledge on prevention and handling of choking on milk. Here are the instructions of Mr. Dr. Pham Nhat An - Director of the Pediatric Center at Vinmec Times City Hospital.

Milk choking is a condition in which a child inhales milk into the airways, milk spills into the trachea, bronchi, even into the alveoli, blocking the airways or obstructing the gas exchange between the alveoli and the lungs. capillaries, depriving the child of oxygen due to airway obstruction.

1. Typical symptoms when children choke on milk

Children who are nursing or lying down (after eating) suddenly cough, turn pale and pass out. Milk can be seen pouring out of the nose and mouth. Children panic, pale skin, may be soft or stiff. In severe cases, the child may stop breathing.

2. Guide to care when children choke on milk

Back patting: Quickly place the child on his stomach with his head low, support the child's head to the side, and pat 5 times in a row strong enough to the area between the child's shoulder blades in an downward and forward direction. After patting, gently turn the baby upside down to see if he can breathe on his own, and the skin is pinker. If the child has not recovered, perform chest compressions. Chest compression: Keeping the baby in the supine position, use the 2nd and 3rd fingers of the left hand to press perpendicularly down the lower third of the sternum, about 1 finger just below the line connecting the 2 nipples. Press speed 1 time / sec, definitely press 5 times in a row. Continue to assess for signs of recovery, if the child still does not recover, continue to pat the back - press the chest until the child shows signs of recovery (maybe 6 - 10 times). Open the airways by sucking the nose and mouth: While performing back patting - chest compressions, it is necessary to open the airway for the child. Use a suction device to suck the baby's nose and mouth, sucking the mouth first, then the nose after. If the emergency is at home, there is no nasal aspirator available, the first responder can use the mouth to quickly suck the child. When the child has recovered, still take the child to the nearest medical center for further monitoring.

3. Guidelines for prevention when children choke on milk

Children should not eat while crying, coughing, eating, sleeping or playing, the milk still flows in the mouth but not swallowing, when breathing heavily can cause milk to flow into the airways, when the child laughs, it is easy to choke . When breast milk is too much, you should clamp the nipple when feeding the baby, choose a pacifier with a suitable hole, do not pour milk directly into the baby's mouth or pour it quickly, when breathing heavily can cause milk to flow into the airways.

The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children ,... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.

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