Baby wheezy after feeding

Baby Wheezing | CMA Symptom

Search for

Nestlé Health Science
health management
paediatrics food allergy
signs symptoms
Wheezing | CMA Symptom

What is baby wheezing?

Baby wheezing, much like it is in adults, is a high-pitched, whistling sound, which happens when the small airways become narrow, making it difficult for a baby to breathe. It is a common problem in babies and, in general, children and babies wheeze more than adults because of differences in the size of their airways.

Baby wheezing usually happens when they breath out, rather than when your baby breathes in. Lots of things can make it sound like your baby is wheezing, such as tiny bits of mucus that can create a short whistling noise whilst your baby breathes, for example. Though many things can make your baby sound like they’re wheezing, they may not always be wheezing and it can be hard to tell a wheezing sound without a stethoscope.

Why is my baby wheezing?

Food allergies
A food allergy, e.g. Cows’ Milk Allergy (CMA), or other allergies, such as to dust or pollen can cause your baby to wheeze.

Asthma
A chronic disease such as asthma can cause your baby to wheeze. This is more likely if a baby’s parents smoke or have a history of asthma themselves, or if the baby’s mother smoked when she was pregnant. It is more likely to be asthma when your baby has continual wheezing episodes.

Illness
A respiratory tract illness or a cold virus can also cause your baby to wheeze. This is especially common in winter months as your baby can catch a virus and become congested.

Could it be Cows’ Milk Allergy?

Baby wheezing is a common symptom for babies with CMA. Up to 30% of babies with CMA may have wheezing as a symptom.

Babies with CMA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one another.

If you think that your baby has wheezing or is making wheezing sounds, it may be CMA. You may have even noticed other symptoms (besides wheezing, such as vomiting, swelling, rashes, and inconsolable crying), which may affect other parts of your baby’s body.

For a simple and easy way to understand the symptoms associated with CMA, you can use our symptom checklist or symptom diary to track symptoms.

Symptom checker

This will allow you to select all the symptoms that your baby may have that may be cows’ milk-related. You can then discuss these with your doctor.

Treating baby wheezing

There are a few things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms of baby wheezing. These include:

A humidifier - this will add moisture to the air. This is particularly good if your baby is congested from a cold or other virus
Bulb syringe - a bulb syringe device can help suck some of the mucus out of your baby's nose. This is only helpful if your baby has a cold or other virus
Hydration - If your baby is wheezing due to an infection, it’s important to keep them hydrated. They will need plenty of liquids

In any case, if you have any doubts or concerns about your baby’s health, you should always seek advice from a medical professional as soon as possible. The information on this website should not replace medical advice from a medical professional.

SmilesBack App

Cows’ milk allergy (CMA) is a common food allergy in baby’s and young children but it is often challenging to diagnose and may take many months and doctors appointments. If you suspect that your baby might have cows’ milk allergy, you can use SmilesBack to help shorten the journey to diagnosis and help put smiles back where they belong.

SmilesBack is an easy-to-use app that has been developed with allergy experts and tested by parents. It enables you to easily record your baby’s symptoms and feeds and summarise them in a one-page, expert-designed report, to support your doctor before they make a diagnosis.

OTHER SYMPTOMS OF COWS' MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY

CRYING AND COLIC

View Symptom

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

View Symptom

Constipation

View Symptom

PERSISTENT COUGH

View Symptom

INCONSOLABLE CRYING

View Symptom

DIARRHOEA

View Symptom

ECZEMA

View Symptom

GROWTH DISORDER

View Symptom

BABIES WITH HIVES

View Symptom

REFUSAL TO FEED

View Symptom

Rash

View Symptom

REFLUX AND REGURGITATION

View Symptom

SWELLING

View Symptom

VOMITING

View Symptom

BABY WON’T SLEEP

View Symptom

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for babies and provides many benefits to babies and mothers. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breastmilk, and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. Always consult your healthcare professional for advice about feeding your baby. The social and financial implications of using infant formula should be considered. Improper use of an infant formula or inappropriate foods or feeding methods may present a health hazard. If you use infant formula, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use carefully – failure to follow the instructions may make your baby ill. Formula for special medical purposes intended for infants must be used under medical supervision.

Why is my baby wheezing? Causes and treatments

Wheezing or a high-pitched noise that comes from the chest during breathing is common in babies and children.

Between 25-30 percent of infants will experience at least one episode. Around 40 percent experience it by the age of 3 years old and almost 50 percent by the age of 6 years.

The most common causes are asthma, allergies, infections, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Fast facts on baby wheezing:

Many parents are scared when they hear their baby wheezing, but it is very common.
Babies and children are more likely to wheeze than adults. Factors that contribute to this include the higher airway resistance in children’s lungs, and their smaller bronchi or small airways.
Some babies are born with inherited and congenital conditions that may contribute to wheezing.

Children’s lungs are smaller, have less airway resistance, and have less elastic recoil and fewer collateral airways, so they are more easily obstructed than adults

What do different types of wheezing mean?

Share on PinterestAsthma or allergies are common causes of wheezing in babies.

If the wheezing is seasonal or happens when a baby is exposed to a particular environment, such as dust or air pollution, the most likely causes of wheezing are asthma or allergies.

If the wheezing started suddenly, it is likely to be the result of a respiratory infection or inhaled foreign body.

Persistent wheezing from birth suggests a baby may have been born with a congenital anatomic anomaly.

Children who persistently wheeze and suffer recurrent respiratory illnesses should be tested for cystic fibrosis, agammaglobulinemia, and primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Allergies: If your child is allergic to a substance, such as pollen or dust, their body sees that substance as a foreign body, and their immune system responds. Part of this process causes the airways to narrow, meaning air is forced through a smaller space. This narrowing causes a whistling sound.

Asthma: Children with asthma have sensitive airways that can become inflamed when exposed to triggers and irritants, such as cigarette smoke or air pollution. This leads to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Symptoms tend to be worse at night.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Known as GERD, this is a condition in which stomach acid leaks back into the esophagus or food pipe. Small amounts of this fluid can then be breathed into the lungs, causing irritation and swelling of the small airways, which in turn causes wheezing. Regular burping, during feeding, and sitting your baby in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after feeding can reduce the risk of GERD. Infants tend to outgrow the condition by the time they reach their first birthday.

Infections

Share on PinterestMost chest infections in infants can be treated at home, but medical attention should be sought if there are unusual or serious symptoms present.

Some chest infections can lead to a baby or infant wheezing. These include lower respiratory infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Upper respiratory infections, also known as the common cold, can also cause noisy breathing but will not cause wheezing unless the lower airways are affected, as well.

In most babies, these infections will get better by themselves with treatment at home, rest, and plenty of fluids.

A small number of infants with bronchiolitis, while seeming otherwise healthy, will still have symptoms, including wheezing, a dry cough, and vomiting after feeding after 4 weeks have passed.

Parents should seek medical attention if the child is under 12 weeks old, has an underlying medical problem, is struggling to breathe, is feeding poorly, has not had a wet diaper for more than 12 hours or has a temperature of 100.4°F or above.

Parents should seek immediate medical attention if their baby is pale or sweaty, their tongue or lips are blue, or there are long pauses in their breathing.

Symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly, over 24-48 hours or may come on slowly over several days. Pneumonia symptoms include:

a cough
breathing difficulties
a rapid heartbeat
fever
sweating
shivering
loss of appetite

Babies and very young children have an increased risk of developing pneumonia, but most cases in preschool-age children are viral, meaning the only treatment is supportive, such as rest and fluids.

If a baby has chest congestion, a cough, a runny nose, a fever of 104°F or more, and is unable or barely able to keep fluids down, the parents or caregivers should speak to a doctor.

Share on PinterestWhen feeding infants, ensure they eat slowly, and only manageable pieces, to avoid choking.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic condition that usually develops in premature babies who have been on ventilators and oxygen because their lungs were underdeveloped at birth. Babies with BPD may need additional oxygen after being discharged from the hospital.
If a baby has inhaled a foreign body, and it has obstructed the airways, they may wheeze, cough or choke. This can happen during eating or playing. Someone should immediately place the baby in an upright position and seek urgent medical attention.

To prevent choking from happening, children younger than 4 years of age should not be given food, such as popcorn, peanuts, hard candy, large pieces of hot dogs, or hard, raw fruits or vegetables.

When caring for a toddler, a person should encourage them to sit quietly while eating and only offer one piece of food at a time.

Children under 3 years old should not be given toys with small parts because of the risk of choking

If a baby has been wheezing since birth, the reason might be a congenital one. Congenital condition can include:

congenital vascular abnormalities
cystic fibrosis
immunodeficiency diseases
primary ciliary dyskinesia
tracheobronchial anomalies
vocal cord dysfunction

Because there are a large number of reasons why a baby might wheeze, treatment depends on the specific cause. A doctor may suggest treating wheezing at home if it is the first time it has occurred.

However, it is important to see a doctor in the first instance if you notice your baby wheezing. These at-home remedies may be recommended by a doctor:

Humidifier

An air humidifier adds moisture to the air. This can help loosen up any congestion in the airways, potentially reducing wheezing.

Hydration

If a baby is wheezing due to an infection, it is important to keep them properly hydrated. Making sure the baby has enough fluids ensures that mucus is loose and helps clear the nasal passages.

Nebulizer

A nebulizer is a device that allows medicine to be inhaled as a mist. If the wheezing is caused by asthma, a doctor may prescribe albuterol, which might also be mixed with salt water. Albuterol will only work if the wheezing is caused by asthma.

If either of the following is seen in a baby, emergency help should be sought:

labored breathing
bluish skin or lips

Wheezing in children | Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science
health care
wheezing

Wheezing or noisy breathing is characterized by a high-pitched, whistling sound that occurs when the small airways constrict, preventing the child from breathing. This is a common problem in infants, and in general infants and children wheeze more than adults due to differences in the size of their airways. nine0013

Why does my child wheeze?
There are various causes of wheezing in children, including:

Food allergy, such as Cow's milk protein (CMP) allergy , or other allergies to dust or pollen
Chronic disease such as asthma
Respiratory disease or cold virus

Symptom analysis

Can wheezing be a manifestation of CMPA?
Wheezing is a typical symptom in children with CMPA. Nearly 30% of children with CMPA have wheezing as a symptom.
Children with CMPA usually have more than one symptom, and these symptoms can be very different from each other.

If you think baby is wheezing, or making wheezing sounds, it could be CMPA.
You may have noticed other symptoms (other than wheezing) that may affect other parts of the child's body.

For a simple and easy way to check for typical symptoms associated with CMPA, you can use our Checking symptoms.
in any case, if you have any doubts or concerns about the health of the child, you should consult a health care professional as soon as possible

Other symptoms of cow's milk protein allergy

ANAPHILACTIC SHOCK

View product

nine0010 CRYING AND COLIC

View product

CONSTIPATION

View product

COUGH

View product

DIARRHEA

View product

ECZEMA

View product

GROWTH DISTURBANCE

View product

urticaria

View product

nine0010 REFUSAL TO FOOD

View product

RASH

View product

REFLUX AND BUCK

View product

Runny nose and sneezing

nine0010 View product

EDITEC

View product

VOMITING

View product

IMPORTANT NOTE: : It is possible to continue breastfeeding if the infant is allergic to cow's milk protein. To do this, the mother needs a special diet with the exclusion of all sources of cow's milk protein. Only if these measures do not bring the desired effect, the doctor recommends the use of a special therapeutic mixture intended for children from 0 to 1 year old. It is important to follow the correct methods of preparing the mixture: using boiled water, sterilized bottles and following the rules for diluting the mixture. Medicinal mixtures intended for diet therapy of CMPA should be used under the supervision of a physician. nine0013 90,000 wheezing in a baby when breathing without temperature, why he wheezes with his throat when he breathes

Content:

Safe reasons for
Dangerous situations
diseases with a symptom of wheezing and what to do
comments

Many parents are worried when they hear the blue breathing and wheezing in the chest. This disease sometimes appears in infants after birth. Some wheezing in newborns is absolutely safe, while others, on the contrary, warn of the presence of a disease. Let's see why the baby wheezes, what are the causes of this phenomenon, possible dangerous consequences and how to prevent wheezing. nine0013

Safe causes

There are various reasons for this phenomenon. Safe most often relate to a child without fever and other signs of a cold. These include:

Physiological features of the baby's body

The baby eats well, puts on weight, does not show anxiety, did not walk in drafts, but wheezing - is. This is possible because the newborn baby has not yet fully developed airways and they are still quite narrow. This can cause wheezing when feeding or when the baby is sleeping. After all the laryngeal cartilages are formed, wheezing will disappear without a trace. This usually happens by the age of one and a half, but maybe by three. Also, in the first months of life, the baby learns to swallow and often chokes on saliva, which may cause wheezing

Dry indoor air

Babies' nasal passages are narrow enough that dust can quickly accumulate in the nasopharynx. The main reason for this is the dryness of the air. It’s a paradox, but caring and loving parents are most often to blame for this. Taking care that the child does not get sick, they mistakenly believe that closing the windows tightly, not ventilating and heating the room where the child is, is the right way to protect him from hypothermia and colds. But pediatricians recommend not to forget about regular 10-minute ventilation of the room in which the newborn is mainly located, as well as the need to periodically moisten the air with special humidifiers, or at least put some container with cold water in the room or hang wet towels on the heating radiator. According to Dr. E. Komarovsky, the air temperature in the room is 18-22°C and the humidity is 40-60%; nine0013

Dust build-up

Moms need to do regular wet cleaning of the newborn's room to prevent dust build-up, and then they will not be disturbed by wheezing in the baby. It is also advisable not to get carried away with soft toys, as they tend to accumulate dust.

Uncleaned nose

Since the nose is a filter for the air we breathe, mucus periodically accumulates in the nasal passage, which, when dried, forms dry crusts, which provokes wheezing when breathing in the baby. This also happens in adults, only babies still cannot blow their nose and clear their nose on their own. Therefore, daily you need to remove the crusts and mucus in the nose of the baby. nine0013

In the pharmacy, you need to buy special moisturizing drops or normal saline, drop a drop into each nasal passage of the child and then carefully remove the “cause of discomfort” with a cotton swab

The child’s lack of physical activity

If the baby is always in a lying position, it is not picked up, not played with, then there is a risk of "stagnation" and swelling in the lungs and airways, which leads to even more wheezing. This phenomenon is often observed in orphanage children, because nannies and educators do not have enough hands and time to pay attention to all children. nine0013

Polluted air

Wheezing and mucus in an infant can be triggered by polluted air, which contains cigarette smoke or exhaust fumes, so infants must be carefully protected from such exposure.

With all the wheezing described above, medical and medical intervention is not required, but it is necessary to monitor the general well-being of the child. With a normal body temperature of up to 37 degrees, a good appetite and a good sleep, there is no reason to worry, but during the next planned trip to the clinic, be sure to pay the attention of the pediatrician to this "little thing" so that he can exclude any diseases. nine0013

Dangerous situations

Now let's talk about wheezing, which requires immediate medical attention. The body of a newborn is weak and exposed to many external factors that can provoke the appearance of an infection and the development of any pathology. In this case, as a rule, wheezing is accompanied by additional symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, anxiety, lack of appetite, fever, etc.

To protect your baby from colds and wheezing, you need to follow simple rules when walking with a newborn baby on the street:

do not walk in windy weather;
dress the baby according to the weather according to the "+1" principle. That is, the child should be wearing 1 more clothes than you. If your child is dressed too warmly, he may sweat and get sick easily. A lighter version of clothing, if it is cold outside, is also not suitable, since the baby will simply freeze and get hypothermia. Many mothers, "easily" dressing their children, argue that the child must be tempered. This is a controversial issue, and it also needs to be hardened correctly and competently; nine0004
avoid drafts. Even if the baby is in a stroller, it must be protected from wind, rain and snow;
Avoid contact between your baby and people with a recent, and even more so ongoing, viral disease.

Wheezing can be caused by pneumonia, bronchitis, which is very dangerous for a baby, since all diseases in babies under one year old develop rapidly and doctors do not always have time to stop dangerous symptoms.

Wheezing in a newborn also occurs due to allergies or more serious conditions such as asthma, in which the airways swell and produce excess mucus

The child develops hoarseness, cough and wheezing if a foreign object enters the larynx or airways, and such wheezing appears suddenly. Never leave your baby alone with small toys, sweets and other items that he can choke on! If this nevertheless happened, you should not panic, but urgently call an ambulance to prevent respiratory arrest.

Diseases with a symptom of wheezing and what to do

If the baby wheezes, he has snot and cough, the temperature rises, the baby behaves lethargically, refuses to eat, then, most likely, the diagnosis will sound like "acute respiratory viral disease". In this case, only a doctor should decide on the need and correctness of treatment. All that is required of you is not to force the child to eat, provide him with plenty of fluids and strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations regarding the treatment of a wheezing child. nine0013

If a newborn wheezes strongly enough, coughs with a "barking" cough, wheezes when breathing, and when the baby inhales, the intercostal spaces are drawn in, while there is a high (above 38.5 degrees) temperature, then doctors usually talk about pneumonia. If such symptoms are noticed, it is necessary to call a pediatrician to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. It often happens that the baby has to be hospitalized.

If the child has a hoarse voice, the baby is breathing heavily, he has a fever, a strong dry cough and "whistling" in the chest, while all of these symptoms are aggravated at night, then you can suspect croup in the baby (difficulty breathing, which is caused by inflammation and narrowing of the lumen of the upper respiratory tract). When such an attack begins, it is necessary to call an ambulance or a pediatrician. In anticipation of medical assistance, the child should be allowed to breathe humidified air. To do this, you can use a humidifier or draw hot water into the bathroom to steam, and bring the child into the bathroom for a couple of minutes. After dripping the nose with vasoconstrictor drops and ensure the flow of cool fresh air. You can also give your baby drops for allergies, for example, Fenistil. nine0013

Babies under one year old may develop a disease such as bronchiolitis. At the same time, small sections of the bronchi become inflamed. In this case, a strong cough is characteristic, which does not subside for a long time (sometimes several hours), difficult hoarse breathing, there are signs of a cold, such as snot and sore throat, because of which the baby refuses to eat, is very irritated and naughty.

If the baby does not feel well after a few days, the pediatrician should be called for an examination. If the diagnosis is confirmed, hospitalization may be required

If the baby still has wheezing after a runny nose, the baby snores at night, his nose is constantly stuffed up, while one of the relatives suffers from asthma or allergies - this may indicate that the child has started bronchial asthma. You need to consult a pediatric allergist and conduct the necessary examinations for further treatment.

Also, when the baby breathes through the mouth, he has a runny nose, he snores in his sleep, suffers from frequent colds, clear nasal discharge and otitis media, is whiny and irritable, it is likely that he has enlarged adenoids or is allergic to some irritant . In this case, only the pediatrician will be able to determine the cause of the unsatisfactory state of health of the child, that is, to determine whether it is a runny nose, an allergy, or inflammation of the adenoids. After making the correct diagnosis, the doctor will be able to prescribe adequate therapy. nine0013

A child should drink a lot during an illness, this will reduce the intoxication of the body. And also breathe fresh and humidified air. Dr. Komarovsky constantly emphasizes this. He argues that in the acute period of the disease (fever and severe malaise), it is necessary to provide such conditions at home, and after the onset of a stable improvement in well-being (even if there is still a cough with sputum, but the temperature has dropped, the child’s appetite and good mood have returned) do not forget about walks in the open air.