Understanding Clicking Noises During Nursing
A Guide
Clicking noises during nursing sessions can be concerning and may be indicative of your baby frequently losing suction while feeding. It's crucial to remember that effective nursing is a game of suction. Babies use their tongues, jaws, and cheeks to create a vacuum, pulling milk from the breast. However, if you frequently hear a clicking noise, it could mean that this suction is getting lost and then reestablished rapidly, hence the distinctive sound.
Possible Consequences
Loss of suction during nursing disrupts the smooth flow of milk resulting in decreased milk transfer, lower milk supply, and can also lead to nipple pain and damage. While discomfort during nursing sessions is common, it is not normal. Over time this can lead to slower weight gain and chronic nipple pain which are known to lead parents who don’t receive appropriate support to discontinue nursing before they wanted.
Addressing the Issue
If your baby is having trouble maintaining suction, it could be due to an ineffective latch or they may be having difficulty managing the flow of milk. Start by attempting to deepen your baby's latch. This can be achieved by getting more of the areola inside your baby’s mouth when latching. Remember, a deeper latch allows your baby to take more of the breast into their mouth, improving suction and aiding in efficient milk transfer. An IBCLC Lactation Consultant can help you master the latch!
- For more information and diagrams about how to achieve an effective latch, get the -
Oral Dysfunction or Restrictions
In some cases, clicking sounds during feeding can be a sign of oral dysfunction or restrictions such as a tongue-tie or lip-tie. These conditions can hinder the baby's ability to latch onto the breast properly, leading to loss of suction, decreased milk transfer, and nipple pain and damage. Always seek professional help if you suspect your baby might have an oral restriction. Evaluation of possible oral restrictions involves more than just looking under the tongue or lip; it should involve an assessment of how the tongue moves and observation of a nursing session for functional feeding. If a healthcare professional does not complete a full oral-motor function evaluation as described above, ask for a referral to someone who can. Treatment of oral restrictions should be multidisciplinary and may involve care from an IBCLC Lactation Consultant who has specialized training in habilitation of tongue and lip-ties, a body worker (osteopath, chiropractor, craniosacral therapist, or physical therapist) who specializes in working with young infants, your baby’s healthcare provider, and, if you wish to seek a release of oral restrictions, a release provider who is specially trained in tongue-tie release procedures.
Clicking During Bottle Feeding
If you’re also using a bottle to feed your baby, clicking noises may also be heard during bottle feeding. The reasons for clicking during bottle feeding remain the same - frequent loss of suction. A thorough evaluation by an IBCLC Lactation Consultant can assist with determining the cause of the loss of suction and they are usually also able to make bottle recommendations that are individualized to your baby’s suckling skills.
Seeking Professional Assistance
If you've tried improving the latch and still encounter the clicking sound or if you suspect your baby may have an oral restriction, it is recommended that you reach out to a professional such as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). They can assess the situation and provide tailored solutions and appropriate referrals to improve the feeding experience for both you and your baby.
Clicking sounds during nursing sessions might be worrisome, but with the right understanding and assistance, they can be addressed effectively. Always remember, the breastfeeding journey is unique to each mother and child, and sometimes, bumps on the road, like clicking sounds, are part of the journey. You don’t have to take this journey alone; an IBCLC Lactation Consultant can help!
References
Hazelbaker, A. K. (2010). Tongue-tie: Morphogenesis, impact, assessment and treatment. Aidan and Eva Press.
O’Shea, J. E., Foster, J. P., O’Donnell, C. P., Breathnach, D., Jacobs, S. E., Todd, D. A., & Davis, P. G. (2017). Frenotomy for tongue-tie in newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011065.pub2
Wilson-Clay, B., & Hoover, K. (2017). The breastfeeding atlas (6th ed.). Lactnews Press.