Concerns about My Baby's Episodes: Seeking Advice
I have a five-week-old baby girl, who weighs approximately 8.5 pounds (3800g), and has been prescribed Prevacid for her reflux issues. Recently, I've noticed her experiencing episodes that resemble choking. These episodes are characterized by a foamy, bubbly mouth, an arched neck, and gagging that occurs silently. Occasionally, her lips appear bluish, though her oxygen levels typically remain stable, occasionally dropping to around 85% for brief moments. To give you some background, she was born at 32 weeks and had a rather unremarkable stay in the NICU. Now, as she reaches her adjusted age of five weeks, I still witness her having these alarming episodes similar to those shown in a video I've discovered. We've taken her to the ER, where she underwent a thorough examination that included a chest X-ray, an EKG, and blood pressure checks on all her limbs. Although she was kept for overnight monitoring, we weren’t able to observe a full episode during that time. Despite my concerns, the medical professionals I’ve consulted—including doctors in the emergency department, her pediatrician, and specialists in the PICU—have expressed little to no worry about her condition. However, I can't shake the feeling that she could be aspirating, and each time I've attempted to increase her feeding volume, her episodes seem to worsen. For safety, I've connected her to a monitor, and during some of these occurrences, her oxygen saturation has dropped into the mid-80s for a few seconds. Yet again, the doctors do not seem apprehensive about this. Is there any additional testing or evaluation I should consider? I live in constant fear of something happening to her while we sleep. To ease my anxiety, I've set her up with two Owlet monitors, a Snuza device, and I am planning to purchase a Masimo Radicla 7. I understand that many physicians are against using such devices due to concerns about unnecessary worry and false alarms. However, I believe having this additional monitoring will ultimately keep us both safer and help me get some much-needed rest.
Answers (1)
2/8/2026, 2:10:29 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel anxious when your baby is experiencing concerning symptoms, especially after being born prematurely. The episodes you're describing, including choking-like symptoms and transient drops in oxygen saturation, can indeed be distressing for any parent. Here’s how we can approach your situation.
Main Points
Your baby is experiencing episodes that may resemble choking, and you’re understandably concerned about potential aspiration or underlying issues. While medical professionals have reassured you, it’s important to manage both your baby’s health and your own peace of mind.
Explanation
The symptoms you've described—arching of the neck, gagging, and foam at the mouth—can be associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER), especially in premature infants. It’s common for babies with reflux to have episodes that might appear alarming, but it sounds like medical evaluations have not revealed any serious underlying issues. The brief drops in oxygen saturation can also occur during these episodes, but sustained or severe drops would be more concerning.
Monitoring equipment can help give you peace of mind, but remember that they can lead to increased anxiety due to false alarms.
Next Steps
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Document Episodes: Keep a detailed log of when the episodes occur, their duration, and any potential triggers (like feeding volume). This information can be very helpful for your pediatrician or a specialist.
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Consult a Pediatric Gastroenterologist: Since you mentioned worsening with increased feeding volume, a specialist can evaluate potential changes in management for her reflux, and assess for any aspiration risk more comprehensively.
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Elevate Feeding Position: While feeding, keep your baby upright for about 30 minutes after feeding to help reduce reflux symptoms.
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Consider a Feeding Specialist: If you’re worried about aspiration, seeking help from a feeding therapist or specialist may be beneficial. They can evaluate her swallowing and feeding patterns.
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Trust Your Instincts: If your instincts tell you something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion or push for further evaluations. Your concerns are valid, especially as her parent.
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Prioritize Your Well-being: Managing stress is important for both you and your baby. Consider resources such as parent support groups or talking to someone who specializes in infant care anxiety.
It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed, but taking these steps can help you feel more empowered and informed about your baby’s health. Remember, you're doing your best for her, and seeking the right answers is a vital part of that.
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