Clicking When Breastfeeding?

We’ve all heard the click-click-click noise that a baby makes while breastfeeding. It can be unnerving for both mothers and fathers to hear, but it is important to know what causes it and how you can avoid this issue so your breastfeeding time remains as enjoyable as possible. In this blog post we will discuss the reasons behind clicking noises when breastfeeding, why they occur, and solutions that will help make them go away or at least minimize their occurrence.

While a clicking sound is normal, it may indicate a difficulty with nursing. The clicking sounds may be audible occasionally, but it can be difficult to differentiate from a typical sucking or smacking noise. The clicking sound is caused by your baby’s lips releasing the tight seal they’ve created around your breast. Noise is produced by the sound of air and the breaking of the suction.

>> Swallowing

>> Gentle sucking

>> Inhaling

>> Grunting

>> Exhaling

What are the reasons behind clicking sounds during breastfeeding?

Improper latch

A clicking sound while breastfeeding usually indicates that your infant is not latching on properly. They can’t keep a strong grip on your breast with their mouth, so they have to reposition their tongue and lips all the time.

Engorged breasts

Breasts that are engorged are those that are overly full of milk due to a lack of expression or an overabundance of milk and other natural fluids (3). It’s most frequent during the first few weeks of breastfeeding when you’re adjusting to your milk production and nursing pattern. If your breasts are engorged, they feel thick and firm, making a proper latch difficult for your baby since they have a hard time sustaining suction. A clicking sound while breastfeeding usually indicates that your infant is not latching.

Milk oversupply

If you are making too much milk or if you have a forceful letdown, your baby may have trouble keeping up with the flow. As your baby swallows, they may make a clicking sound as if gulping the liquid.

Anatomical issues

An extremely high palate or a tongue-tie, more officially known as ankyloglossia, may be present in your baby’s mouth. A thick tissue band attaches your baby’s tongue to the bottom of their mouth when they are tongue-tied, limiting tongue mobility. Because babies are unable to keep their tongues in place when breastfeeding, the tongue returns to its original position every few seconds, resulting in the clicking noise.

Ear infection

Breastfeeding success requires a powerful suck. Due to the obvious pressure build-up, your baby’s ability to suck correctly may be harmed if they have an ear infection. Pressure develops up within your baby’s ear when he or she sucks. They will most likely experience discomfort if their ear is infected. They’ll take a break from nursing to relax their jaw and alleviate the discomfort.

Infection

Nursing may be challenging due to a variety of illnesses. Thrush is the most frequent cause of clicking sounds. Thrush is a yeast infection that affects your child’s mouth. Since thrush causes discomfort, soreness, and itching, your baby will have a difficult time latching on during a nursing session.

New teeth

Occasional clicking may be caused by teething. If your baby’s mouth is uncomfortable from teething, he may be attempting to alleviate discomfort by not getting as tight of a seal on the breast or by releasing the suction frequently (thus the clicking). He may possibly be doing the same thing since he hasn’t gotten accustomed to the sensation of teeth in his mouth when breastfeeding.

Your baby is sucking his tongue

Babies that suck their tongues frequently make a twiddling sound. As soon as he feels anything entering his mouth, such a baby is used to the feeling of his own tongue up against the roof of his mouth and may latch too fast with a shallow latch. When this kind of clicking is going on, you’ll see a lot of cheek chamfers.

Baby gulping while breastfeeding

With each swallow, a baby that is receiving a good mouthful of milk produces a little grunting/gulping noise while eating. It’s been described as a “K-AH” sound by others. A suck, swallow, breath sequence resulting in a repetitive grunt/gulp while the milk is letting down forcefully.

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