What's wrong when a baby struggles forcefully while breastfeeding?

Mar 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
An infant struggling vigorously while breastfeeding may be due to physiological or pathological factors. It could result from incorrect feeding posture or excessive milk supply causing choking or milk stasis. It might also be caused by a cold due to pathogen infection, leading to significant nasal congestion. Additionally, if the mother has inverted nipples, the baby may have difficulty latching properly during breastfeeding, which can also contribute to the problem.

Generally, a baby struggling vigorously while breastfeeding may be due to physiological factors or pathological causes such as nasal congestion from a cold or maternal nipple inversion. Timely treatment is usually recommended to improve the condition. The specific analysis is as follows:

I. Physiological Factors

Incorrect breastfeeding posture or excessive milk supply may cause the baby to struggle frequently during feeding, as the infant may not be able to swallow quickly enough, leading to choking or gagging. Adjusting the breastfeeding position or gently compressing the base of the nipple during feeding can help alleviate this issue.

II. Pathological Factors

1. Common Cold

A cold caused by pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus or parainfluenza virus may lead to significant nasal congestion, reducing oral and nasal airflow during feeding. This can result in breathing difficulties, causing the baby to struggle while nursing. Under medical guidance, antiviral medications such as ribavirin granules, oseltamivir phosphate granules, or Ganmaoling granules may be used to relieve symptoms.

2. Maternal Nipple Inversion

Congenital abnormalities in nipple development or external factors such as excessive squeezing or pulling may cause nipple inversion, making it difficult for the baby to latch properly during breastfeeding, which may also lead to vigorous struggling. Regularly pulling the nipple outward to encourage protrusion can help improve this condition.

In addition, pharyngitis may also cause similar issues. Seeking medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and receiving appropriate treatment can help alleviate symptoms.

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