Hi there and thanks for using HCM.
Nasal congestion is very common in small babies as they are unable to sufficiently clear their passages to facilitate breathing. Therefore, they will using their mouths as well.
However,
wheezing comes from the lungs and is never normal as it is due to mucus or swelling inside the lungs. An easy way to test if your niece is having nasal congestion or wheezing is to put your ear to her back whilst she is having her bottle. Listen carefully to help determine if the noise is coming from her back or her nose. If it is indeed her back, you need to get her to a
pediatrician.
It is a little worrisome that the baby's formula has been switched so many times. There are formulas specially made to ease colicky babies and babies with reflux (soy, hypoallergenic). Your niece could have been put on such a formula. Formulas have to be introduced gradually to an infant. Switching quickly from one type to another is never a good idea.
All babies have some degree of reflux up to the age of 4 - 6 months.
Premature babies and babies with lower
birth weight may have a little more trouble. The medication should help your niece tolerate her feeds better.
There are a few things that you and the Mom could do to help Baby:
1. Do check on the method of feeding - ensure that she is not swallowing too much air when feeding by holding the bottle upright and filling the entire teat with milk as she gets to the end of her feed.
2. Getting a bottle with a valve built in to reduce air going in can help.
3. Burping her during the feed (stop after a minute or two, help her burp and then continue feeding) may also help.
4. Small frequent feeds to help her sensitive tummy expand with the formula
Hope these suggestions help. Thank you