Babies can drink and breathe simultaneously due to the location of their larynx and hyoid bone, which are higher up in the nasal cavity than in adults. As the child grows, both descend to adult level. Males experience two laryngeal drops in their lifetime, and newborns are more prone to choking at around 4 months old. The placement of the larynx and hyoid bone is also why infants are prone to GERD.
Babies can drink and breathe at the same time due to the location of the larynx and hyoid bone. When a baby is born, the larynx, or larynx, and hyoid bone are located higher up in the nasal cavity than in adults, which allows them to drink and breathe without sucking or choking on liquids or foods. As the child grows, both the larynx and the hyoid bone descend to adult level, stabilizing about two vertebrae down.
More Larynx Facts:
Males actually experience two laryngeal drops in their lifetime. One occurs when they are newborns and one occurs when they go through puberty. The second larynx drop is what causes males voice to deepen.
Newborns are often more prone to choking when they are around 4 months old due to the way their swallowing mechanism changes. As the baby’s body changes, the larynx becomes less protected, which can make it easier for the baby to suction.
The placement of the larynx and hyoid bone is also the reason why many infants and children are prone to GERD, basically the contents of the stomach rise up. In fact, most babies younger than 3 months have at least one significant episode of reflux a day.
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