How do I know if my breastfed baby is swallowing air?

Understanding Air Swallowing in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is a natural and nurturing process, but it can sometimes lead to concerns about whether your baby is swallowing air, a condition known medically as aerophagia. This can result in discomfort, gas, and fussiness for your little one. Recognizing the signs of air swallowing during breastfeeding is crucial for ensuring your baby’s comfort and well-being.
Signs Your Baby May Be Swallowing Air
1. Feeding Noises: One of the first indicators that your baby might be swallowing air is the presence of unusual feeding noises. While some sounds are normal during breastfeeding, excessive clicking or smacking noises can suggest that your baby is not latching properly, which may lead to air intake.
2. Fussiness and Discomfort: If your baby seems unusually fussy after feeding, it could be a sign of gas discomfort caused by swallowed air. Babies often express their discomfort through crying or restlessness, especially if they are experiencing gas pains.
3. Distended Belly: A visibly bloated or distended belly can indicate that your baby has swallowed air. If you notice that your baby’s abdomen appears swollen or hard, it may be worth considering whether air swallowing is a factor.
4. Frequent Burping: While burping is a normal part of feeding, if your baby requires frequent burping or seems to need to burp more than usual, it could be a sign that they are swallowing air during feeds.
Preventing Air Swallowing
To minimize the chances of your baby swallowing air while breastfeeding, consider the following strategies:
– Proper Latch: Ensuring that your baby has a good latch is essential. A poor latch can lead to air being swallowed. If you’re unsure about your baby’s latch, consulting a lactation consultant can provide valuable guidance.
– Feeding Position: The position in which you hold your baby during feeding can also impact air swallowing. Try to keep your baby in a more upright position, which can help reduce the likelihood of air intake.
– Pacing the Feed: Allowing your baby to take breaks during feeding can help them manage their swallowing and reduce the amount of air they take in. This can be particularly helpful if your baby tends to gulp or feed quickly.
When to Seek Help
If you notice persistent signs of discomfort, excessive fussiness, or if your baby seems to be in pain after feeding, it may be time to consult a healthcare professional. They can help determine if air swallowing is the issue or if there are other underlying concerns that need to be addressed.
In conclusion, being attentive to your baby’s feeding behaviors and physical signs can help you identify if they are swallowing air during breastfeeding. By implementing preventive measures and seeking support when needed, you can enhance your breastfeeding experience and ensure your baby’s comfort.

What foods make breastmilk gassy?

Food sensitivities and gas in breastfed babies
Some moms swear that when they eat foods such as dairy products, broccoli, cabbage, bananas, eggs, or garlic, their babies are gassy and fussy for up to the next 24 hours.

What position should I breastfeed to avoid gas?

Use positions for feeding that keep baby’s head higher than her tummy, such as a laid-back position or having baby diagonally across your chest in a cradle hold. Avoid positions that have baby bending at the waist, putting more pressure on her tummy.

Why does my baby sound like gulping air when breastfeeding?

The infant will make a suck or two and then an audible swallow should be heard as the milk is swallowed. The sounds of “gulping” and “clicking” can signify a poor vacuum is in place and the child is swallowing more air then milk.

How to stop baby gulping air when feeding?

* Breastfeeding mothers can avoid their babies from swallowing air by keeping them in an upright position (45 degree angle). * Flexing baby’s knees up against baby’s chest will help relieve burps and also helps for relieving flatulence. After about the age of 5 months, most babies do not need to be burped anymore.

What if I can’t hear my baby swallowing while breastfeeding?

Call your baby’s doctor or a lactation specialist if: Your baby is having fewer than six wet diapers a day. Your baby is having fewer than three or four yellow stools a day. Your milk is in but you don’t hear your baby gulping or swallowing frequently during breastfeeding.

What happens if you don’t hear your baby swallowing while breastfeeding?

Call your baby’s doctor or a lactation specialist if: Your baby is having fewer than six wet diapers a day. Your baby is having fewer than three or four yellow stools a day. Your milk is in but you don’t hear your baby gulping or swallowing frequently during breastfeeding.

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting my baby’s stomach?

If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day. This lets you carefully look at your diet instead of getting rid of foods that may not be the cause of your baby’s distress.

How to make sure baby doesn’t swallow air while breastfeeding?

Make sure your baby has a good latch so he doesn’t swallow too much air. Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet.

How to tell if baby is swallowing air while breastfeeding?

If you suspect excess gas could be the culprit causing your baby’s fussiness, there are several signs that may indicate you are correct:

1. Burping. It’s possible your baby has swallowed too much air while nursing or crying for a long period.
2. Spitting up.
3. Bloated tummy.
4. Flatulence.
5. Arched back, legs drawn toward the tummy.

How do I know if my breast milk is causing gas?

Common symptoms of gas in breastfed babies:
Spitting up (while typically completely normal): May be a sign of gas build up within the stomach. Trapped gas bubbles can push some breastmilk back up. Excessive flatulence (again, usually completely normal and a natural way to relieve the pressure of gas)