Interesting thread.  One other thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the
fact that many babies hiccup, spit up, burp and fart because of the
immaturity of their digestive systems.  I like to tell parents that this is
normal behavior for their young infants because of this immaturity - I
always get a laugh when I point out we as adults with our much more mature
digestive systems, would get some mighty strange looks if we exhibited this
behavior, especially in public.  In regards to sneezing, coughing, gagging
and spitting up, another reason very young babies do this, especially in
the 1st week or so, is the attempt to clear fluids and other birth-
related "junk" from their systems.  This is particularly reassuring to
parents who think that they have already given their baby a "cold".
So...it all boils down to good ongoing assessment before, during, and after
feedings to correctly interpret baby's body language and behavior cues.

Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL  USA

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