INSPOHEALTH

If you spend time around African mothers and their toddlers, as many of us do, you've probably seen well-meaning but risky feeding habits: tapping the breast when a baby coughs, blowing air in a choking child's face, or force-feeding a baby who is clearly refusing food. These practices come from love and instinct, not carelessness, passed down because in a moment of panic, doing  something  feels better than doing nothing. But instinct isn't the same as evidence, and some inherited habits can make a dangerous moment worse. Here is what actually protects a child during feeding. 1. Aspiration vs. Choking — What's the Difference? These two words get used interchangeably, but they describe two different physiological events, and understanding the difference changes how you respond. Aspiration  is when food, liquid, or saliva enters the airway or lungs instead of travelling down the esophagus into the stomach. It can happen quietly, sometimes without an obvious cough, and re...