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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Water Go Down To Lungs In An Infant?

Hi! I have a young daughter, about 18 months old, and tonight while giving her some water from the faucet with her leaning back in my arms, she gurgled for a moment, then seemed to swallow, and then was fine. My question is, if the water had gone down the airway toward the lungs, would her body produce coughing automatically, or is it possible for a drink of water to go down the wrong pipe without coughing?
Tue, 16 Sep 2014
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Pediatrician, Neonatology,  's  Response
No water if enters into the windpipe will produce tremendous cough and choking. Body's cough reflex will automatically try to expel the water out of the windpipe through cough. But one thing I should suggest is never to feed or let drink your child in supine position as this increases the chance of choking. Always feed your child in sitting position, and after you end your feed take her on your shoulder to burp him properly. As though cough reflex protects from food and drink entering the lungs, but even if some amount goes in the lung may cause problem, thus always feed the child in sitting posture.
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Can Water Go Down To Lungs In An Infant?

No water if enters into the windpipe will produce tremendous cough and choking. Body s cough reflex will automatically try to expel the water out of the windpipe through cough. But one thing I should suggest is never to feed or let drink your child in supine position as this increases the chance of choking. Always feed your child in sitting position, and after you end your feed take her on your shoulder to burp him properly. As though cough reflex protects from food and drink entering the lungs, but even if some amount goes in the lung may cause problem, thus always feed the child in sitting posture.