>Hello all,
>I was called today by a mother of a two months old baby. For the last month
>the baby has several episodes a day of spitting up, coughing, making
>choking sounds, breathing fast for a short time, and then recovering. This
>happens with no obvious relation to nursing - can happen right after a
>nursing, and three hours later, before the next nursing, and in between. It
>happens while changing her diaper, while lying in an infant seat - no
>obvious trigger. The baby is gaining well (including this last month), is
>alert and seems healthy, exept for these choking episodes.

>The baby is nursing every 3-4 hrs, usualy from one side, content, gaining
>well (as mentoined).
>My questiones are: Does this sound like reflux? Do you have any
>suggestiones the mother could try?

I would certainly wonder about reflux. I had a client recently whose baby
would only nurse every 5 to 6 hours. She was gaining, albeit slowly. Was
somewhat spitty. At five weeks of age, the baby got pertussis and was
hospitalized for the better part of three weeks. The nurses were really
frustrated that the baby refused to feed more often. Finally, the
pediatrician made a diagnosis of reflux (aggravated greatly by the
pertussis) and put the kiddo on Propulsid. The change was immediate. Baby
started nursing every 2 to 3 hours, is gaining more rapidly, and has had no
further problems now that she is not desaturating badly as she was during
the pertussis. I can't answer your questions about the tests but hope that
what I am sharing may be of help.

Ione Sims, CNM
C. Ione Sims, CNM, ARNP
Community Nurse Midwife