Newborn baby wheezing while feeding

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

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.

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 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

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.

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 healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Other symptoms of cow's milk protein allergy

ANAPHILACTIC SHOCK

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CRYING AND COLIC

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CONSTIPATION

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COUGH

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DIARRHEA

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ECZEMA

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GROWTH DISTURBANCE

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urticaria

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REFUSAL TO FOOD

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RASH

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REFLUX AND BUCK

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Runny nose and sneezing

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EDITEC

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VOMITING

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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.

The baby gets tired quickly when feeding and breathes often: symptoms, diagnosis

With the advent of the baby, all the mother's attention is focused on feeding the baby. After all, I really want the baby to gain weight well. But often during feeding, a woman notices that the baby gets tired quickly. In such a situation, the baby's breathing quickens, which prevents him from eating the prescribed norm. If such a picture is observed with frightening frequency, it is necessary to find out the cause of the problem.

In pediatric cardiology, there are several important signs that indicate heart problems in a young patient. The children's cardiologist of the multidisciplinary center "Edkarik" will be able to figure out what caused the difficulties in feeding. At the first negative symptoms in the baby, parents should contact us to exclude the presence of a serious heart pathology in the crumbs.

Features of breathing in infants

It should be noted right away that shortness of breath during feeding is not always an indicator of an existing heart pathology. Such a symptom is typical for respiratory diseases, breathing difficulties may be associated with structural features of the nasal septum. This problem is often observed in the first weeks due to undeveloped breasts in the mother. The child has to make every effort to get the right portion of food. Therefore, he quickly gets tired, and his breathing goes astray from the normal rhythm.

The breathing of children in the first months of life has its own characteristics. Babies need twice the amount of oxygen, but their respiratory system is not yet completely formed. Certain difficulties in the respiratory function are imposed by narrow nasal passages and weakness of the pectoral muscles. Therefore, breathing in children up to a year is uneven. The child often takes quick breaths, so his breathing is shallow and intermittent.

The norm of respiratory movements in babies of the first month of life is 40-60, from the end of the fourth week and up to 3 months - up to 45, in the period of 4-6 months - 35-40. By the year, the baby is already taking about 30-35 breaths per minute, which is considered the norm.

Mom can determine the respiratory rate on her own. To do this, put the baby on his back, and use a stopwatch to count the number of breaths. Since babies "breathe" with their tummies, such a calculation is easy to make. The main condition for performing this procedure is that the child must be calm.

When there is no reason to worry

The nervous system of young children is still imperfect, so they cannot control their breathing. During active games and crying, the frequency of respiratory movements increases, and in a dream they often sniffle. If such features are observed sporadically, you should not worry. The sniffing nose can be washed with boiled water, and then carefully remove the dried mucus.

What should cause alarm

You need to see a doctor if the baby:

holds his breath for a long time;
exhales noisily;
if breathing is accompanied by wheezing and wheezing.

Usually, such symptoms can be traced against the background of an acute period of respiratory diseases. Timely treatment will help to quickly eliminate these negative signs, after which the child will be able to breastfeed normally again.

Which symptoms require special attention

We have listed physiological breathing problems. But sometimes the situation is much more serious than the usual runny nose. We list the signs that should be a strong argument for parents to urgently visit a pediatric cardiologist.

Cyanosis

If holding the breath during feeding is accompanied by a blue nasolabial triangle, this sign indicates a lack of oxygen. In severe forms of cardiac pathologies, the chin and fingers of the baby turn blue. This symptom is characteristic of congenital malformations of both the heart and vascular anomalies.

Shortness of breath

This symptom also indicates a lack of oxygen. Since the child has to expend more energy during sucking, this symptom is more pronounced than at rest. A cause for concern can be considered frequent breaks for rest during suckling. Normally, there are no more than two such pauses, and a child with heart disease takes breaks after 2-3 sips.

Fatigue

Infants with congenital heart defects are much less active than healthy children. They are not able to suck out the norm during feeding, so they lose weight. The problem is aggravated by frequent breathing. The child simply suffocates under tension.

Chest pain

Infants may not complain of such a symptom, but an observant mother will notice under what circumstances and how often the child begins to worry.

If all the described signs are repeated from the baby during feeding regularly, it is urgent to consult a pediatric cardiologist. A full-scale examination will determine the cause of the problem, and an experienced pediatric cardiologist will prescribe adequate therapy for the child.

Peculiarities of diagnosing infants

Babies under one year old cannot describe the symptoms that prevent them from developing normally. Therefore, all hope for an objective examination. During the initial examination of the infant, the pediatric cardiologist:

evaluates the general condition;
notes the color of the skin;
listens to the baby's heart;
performs heart rate monitoring and saturation level measurement.

The doctor pays special attention to taking an anamnesis, since such information can indicate the cause of the problem. For example, an infection transmitted by a woman during her mother's pregnancy can provoke the development of congenital heart defects. An important factor is heredity, especially if there were cases of premature death (up to 50 years) among close relatives in the family. After collecting the data, the pediatric cardiologist will definitely prescribe the following types of diagnostic procedures:

ECG with daily monitoring;
ultrasound of the heart;
X-ray examination of the chest;
Laboratory tests.

Instrumental methods of examination with the use of modern devices will allow you to clarify the parameters of the baby's heart and the features of its anatomical structure. Ultrasound diagnostics helps to identify defects in the heart chambers and great vessels. Having the data of all studies on hand, the pediatric cardiologist will draw up an individual treatment program or prescribe additional procedures.