What is a key technique to prevent aspiration when feeding an infant?

• A. Feed while lying flat to promote comfort.
• B. Feed upright with small amounts and burp frequently; keep baby semi-upright after feeding for a time.
• C. Feed large boluses quickly to finish feeding sooner.
• D. Sit the infant upright after feeding but avoid burping.

Answer: (B)

Preventing aspiration during feeding comes from how you position the infant, pace the feed, and manage post-feed time. Feeding upright uses gravity to help the milk go toward the stomach and keeps the airway in a safer alignment as the infant swallows. Giving small amounts with pauses lets the baby coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing without becoming overwhelmed, which reduces the chance of milk going into the airway. Burping frequently addresses swallowed air and reduces abdominal distension and reflux that can push milk back toward the throat. Keeping the baby semi-upright for a period after feeding further minimizes reflux into the esophagus and airway. Feeding while flat or delivering large amounts quickly increases the risk of milk entering the airway, so the upright, small-amount, burp-often approach is the best technique to prevent aspiration.