A baby's gag reflex can be triggered by too much mucus, so they may appear to choke if there are excess secretions in their mouth. Sometimes babies even spit up or vomit after coughing to clear the mouth and nose of excess mucus.
In fact, babies can make so much nasal mucus that they can choke or gag on it.
It's normal for a baby or young child to choke and cough from time to time. When it happens frequently, there could be cause for concern. These episodes are typically due to aspiration, food or liquid accidentally entering the airway.
Stuffy noses
Babies can only breathe through their noses (not their mouths). So, when your baby's nose is stuffed up with mucus, it's much harder for them to breathe. When this happens, use saline nose drops or spray (available without a prescription) to loosen the mucus.
This nasal congestion is typically normal and can be remedied with a cool mist humidifier in the room, as well as nasal saline spray.
If the congestion interferes with a baby's ability to feed or sleep, or if their baby is older than 3 months and has a fever, they should talk with their baby's pediatrician. A healthcare provider will be able to diagnose the issue and provide additional care if symptoms do not improve.
What causes nighttime nasal congestion in children? Children and infants have narrower nasal passageways than adults, making them more susceptible to nighttime congestion caused by inflammation or excess mucus.
If your baby has a stuffy nose they may breathe through their mouth, which can make it harder for them to feed. In rare cases, a stuffy nose can cause breathing problems. Usually, nasal congestion goes away on its own within a week.
The best times to suction are before feeding and before bed. This will help your baby breathe easier when they eat and when they sleep. Make sure you don't suction too much and damage their nose. You can use saline drops to help loosen the mucus in your baby's nose before you suction.
If your child coughs while sleeping, it's most likely a cold, allergies, or asthma. To help relieve their cough, make sure they're drinking plenty of fluids and use a humidifier in their room. Only give your child cough medicine if they're at least 6 years old and you have your pediatrician's approval.
Nighttime cough
Lots of coughs get worse at night because the congestion in a child's nose and sinuses drains down the throat and causes irritation while the child lies in bed. This is only a problem if your child is unable to sleep.
Chest and back percussion uses clapping (percussing) with a cupped hand, deep breathing, and then vibration to loosen and move mucus. Huffing and coughing. Huffing helps move mucus up in the lungs. Coughing moves it out.
The theory is that the pacifier prevents the upper airway from getting blocked by the tongue. Some experts believe that they push any bedding away from the baby's nose, thereby helping them breathe, or that they can calm agitated babies and prevent them from struggling in the crib and getting under the bedding.
Gently wipe off the mucus around the baby's nose with tissues to prevent irritation. Limit suctioning to no more than 4 times each day to avoid irritating the nose.
If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor.
In the winter, your baby's nose tries to protect itself when you go out into the cold air. It creates more mucus to keep their nose moist and clear of particles.
Breast milk.
“A drop or two in the nose can help loosen congestion,” Altmann says. “Let baby sniff it up, then give him tummy time; when he lifts his head, it'll drain out.” You can also drain by holding your congested baby upright.
Laryngomalacia is a common cause of noisy breathing in infants. 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.
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your child's breathing is partially or completely blocked during sleep. It can happen several times a night. The condition occurs when the upper airway narrows or is blocked during sleep.
Some babies squirm, grunt, and even wheeze at night as they develop their breathing muscles. Their breathing patterns change and they breathe more slowly when they are asleep, which can cause them to grunt. Check that your baby is breathing calmly and there are no other signs of distress.
Call your child's provider right away if any of these occur: Fever (see Fever and children, below) Symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop. Nasal discharge persists for more than 10 to 14 days.
Keep Theirs Heads Upright
The best default position for your baby to be in when they have a cold is upright. This helps for congestion to clear and for breathing to become easier. And, most importantly, it helps them get that vital rest they need so much.
Clap your child's back or chest with your cupped hand quickly and rhythmically. This loosens the mucus, allowing it to drain. Do not clap directly on the skin—cover the area with thin clothing or a cloth.
A phlegmy cough can sometimes be due to post-nasal drip or drainage when children have runny noses. In younger infants, a phlegmy cough could be due to bronchiolitis, a lower tract respiratory infection brought on by viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).