Gagging is a normal reflex in babies and can happen for several reasons. Everyone has a gag reflex to help prevent choking. When a baby, who is up to about six months old, feels anything on the back of his throat, he will push his tongue forward....
Gagging is not only unpleasant to hear, but potentially very dangerous, too. A toddler who gags while he eats can easily choke. Never leave a toddler alone while he eats; stay facing him at all times since he can choke quietly while your back is...
An active gag reflex makes taking medicine difficult for some toddlers. The University of Wisconsin Health recommends treating the proper way to take medicine as a skill your older toddler needs to learn. For younger toddlers, methods to improve...
There are many reasons a 9-month-old baby gags during feedings. Eating is hard work for your infant and requires the skills needed to swallow, suck and breathe all at the same time. It is also a very tiring task. Because gagging while eating is...
Some children gag and vomit. If your child has a similar response to some foods, talk to her doctor. She may have a sensitive gag reflex, which the doctor can discuss with you. As you introduce new foods to your child, you will have to be careful...
Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time learning to chew and swallow, but they don't always get everything right on the first try. A child can choke on any food, so you should never leave your little one alone while eating. However, some foods...
Sometimes a child's poor appetite is only a matter of his parent's perception, according to Dr. Barton Schmitt of the Children's Physician Network, author of "Your Child's Health." Usually, your child's body will tell him when to eat and when he's...
Though breast milk is the ideal source of nutrition for babies during their first months of life, it does lack one important nutrient, vitamin D. Babies who drink breast milk exclusively need a supplement containing 400 IU of vitamin D per day,...
Proper oral hygiene includes cleaning your tongue, cheeks and the roof of your mouth, along with brushing and flossing your teeth. Although oral care is more challenging with braces, it is even more important, because bacteria can become trapped...
Gastrointestinal reflux disease occurs when the contents of a baby's stomach reenter her esophagus. This frequently causes spitting up, gagging and coughing. Some pediatricians recommend giving newborns infant cereal to reduce reflux, but cereal's...
Gastroesophageal reflux is a common cause of vomiting in infants and children. It results from the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to close appropriately. The lower esophageal sphincter prevents stomach acid from passing into the esophagus.
Nutramigen is an infant formula from Enfamil that is hypoallergenic. Nutramigen works well for babies with known allergies or that have difficulty digesting other formulas. A pediatrician might recommend Nutramigen if the infant is colicky or is...
You may need to induce vomiting if you or a family member swallow something toxic. An emetic is a substance that induces vomiting; syrup of ipecac, available over-the-counter at pharmacies, is a common emetic. You may also induce vomiting with...
The ingestion of alcohol not only leads to drunkeness but diminishes the nerve response that governs breathing, heart rate and the gag reflex, necessary to prevent choking. Overindulgence in alcohol may lead to a condition known as alcohol...
The flu is a virus that affects millions of Americans every year. It is important to catch the virus quickly in order to properly diagnose and treat symptoms. The most common method of testing for the flu virus is the Influenza Rapid Test Nasal...
The brain is a complex organ. It controls and regulates everything your body does. The human brain is divided into sections. Each section is responsible for various functions such as breathing, speaking, vision and so forth. At the back bottom...
From the time your toddler first learned to guide a cracker to his mouth, he has probably made steady progress with independent eating. His ability to feed himself might result in more freedom for you, but if your child makes choking noises when...
Alcohol overdose, or alcohol poisoning, is a critical situation and emergency treatment is required. Overdose can lead to a coma or death occurring. Alcohol poisoning happens when a person consumes more alcohol than the body is able to metabolize...
Exercise obviously raises your heart rate. The physical exertion increases the need for oxygen-rich blood within your muscles, causing the heart to beat faster to meet this demand. So, it stands to reason the reverse is true when you end a...
Most parents experience a choking episode with their children at some point, and newborns are especially vulnerable to choking. For this reason, it's a good idea to take an infant CPR and first-aid class. If you notice that your newborn is...
Different bottle manufacturers have different types of nipples and flow levels. When your baby seems discontented with the amount of milk flowing from the bottle, it's a good time to change bottle nipples to something more suited to his age and...
Teething is an important milestone, and seeing those first pearly whites push through the gums can be an exciting time for parents. But teething can also bring problems, ranging from sore gums to sleep disruptions, making it a trying time for the...
The brainstem projects from the center of the underside of the brain. This elongated structure connects the upper areas of the brain to the spinal cord. Evolutionarily, the brainstem is one of the oldest parts of the brain. It is responsible for...
Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of bacteria around the teeth. Mild forms of the condition are gingivitis, with more severe forms known as periodontitis. The condition affects the gums, underlying bones of a tooth and the tooth itself....
Keeping fresh breath is important to many people, as bad breath, or halitosis, can cause embarrassment and a social stigma. A variety of products--from mint-flavored gums to mouthwashes--are available to treat bad breath. However, according to the...
Your infant's limited communication skills mean that his movements and cries are the most efficient ways to let you know that something is wrong. There are different causes of distress in a baby, such as colic, health problems and...
Black tongue is a condition that usually starts at the back of the tongue before progressing toward the front. It is characterized by a dark discoloration of the small thread-like elevations on the top surface of the tongue. The condition also...
Cranial nerves are a set of 12 nerve pairs that connect from the brain to areas of the face, neck, shoulders and some internal organs. The nerves run through holes in the skull. Each set of nerves are paired for service on each side of the body....
CPR, a common abbreviation for the emergency procedure called cardiopulmonary resuscitation, consists of several steps designed to help people who are choking, unconscious or not breathing properly. Infant CPR allows you to aid and revive babies,...
