How do I stop my baby from swallowing air while breastfeeding?

Understanding Air Swallowing in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful bonding experience, but it can sometimes come with challenges, one of which is a baby swallowing air during feeds. This can lead to discomfort, gas, and even colic, making it essential for parents to understand how to minimize this issue.
Causes of Air Swallowing
Babies often swallow air while breastfeeding due to several factors. One primary reason is the feeding position. If a baby is not latched correctly or is in an awkward position, they may gulp air along with milk. Additionally, the let-down reflex can also contribute; if the milk flows too quickly, babies may struggle to keep up, leading to gulping and swallowing air.
Tips to Minimize Air Swallowing
1. Ensure Proper Latch: A good latch is crucial. The baby should take in not just the nipple but also a good portion of the areola. This helps create a seal that reduces the amount of air swallowed. If you’re unsure about the latch, consulting a lactation consultant can provide personalized guidance.
2. Adjust Feeding Positions: Experiment with different breastfeeding positions. Some mothers find that holding the baby in a more upright position can help reduce air swallowing. Positions like the football hold or side-lying can be beneficial.
3. Pace the Feeding: Allow your baby to take breaks during feeding. If you notice them gulping or seeming overwhelmed, gently remove them from the breast for a moment. This can help them manage the flow of milk better and reduce the likelihood of swallowing air.
4. Burp Regularly: Incorporate burping into your feeding routine. Burping your baby after every few minutes of feeding can help release any trapped air before it causes discomfort. There are various burping techniques, such as holding the baby against your shoulder or sitting them on your lap.
5. Monitor Your Diet: Sometimes, what a breastfeeding mother eats can affect the baby. While this is not directly related to air swallowing, certain foods can contribute to gas in babies. Keeping a food diary may help identify any potential triggers.
6. Stay Calm and Relaxed: Babies can pick up on their mother’s stress. A calm feeding environment can help the baby feed more comfortably and reduce the chances of gulping air.
Conclusion
While it can be concerning to see your baby struggling with gas or discomfort, understanding the causes of air swallowing during breastfeeding and implementing these strategies can significantly improve the feeding experience. If issues persist, seeking advice from a healthcare professional or lactation consultant can provide additional support tailored to your specific situation. Remember, every baby is different, and finding what works best for you and your little one may take some time and patience.

Is it normal for babies to swallow a lot of air while bottle-feeding?

A baby may swallow excess air during bottle-feeding when drinking too fast or if they are fed while lying down. Your baby is swallowing too fast when: They’re not taking a breath between swallows. Their eyes are opened wider than usual.

How do I get my baby to stop swallowing air?

Perhaps the easiest way to try to prevent gas in babies is to minimize the amount of air they’re swallowing. In breastfed infants, this means ensuring that their lips are creating a seal on the areola. If you’re using bottles, make sure your baby is putting their lips towards the base of the nipple, not just the tip.

What if baby doesn’t burp and falls asleep?

What to do in this case? A: If your baby falls asleep before burping, gently try to burp them while they are still drowsy. If unsuccessful, it’s generally okay to let them sleep without forcing a burp. Ensure a comfortable sleeping position to prevent discomfort, and try burping after the next feeding.

Why does my breastfed baby swallow so much air?

Common causes of gas discomfort in breastfed babies:
An incorrect latch while nursing leads your baby to swallow too much air. Excessive crying fills your baby’s belly with air. Strong let-down or oversupply, causing baby to gulp quickly and swallow air.

What breastfeeding position reduces air intake?

Breastfeeding position to reduce gas
“This air has to be released in one direction or another. If baby doesn’t burp, they’ll likely become gassy,” Long says. Good news: This can be remedied with the proper breastfeeding positions, including upright or semi-upright positions, like the laid-back breastfeeding position.

How do I make sure my 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.

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 do I stop my baby from swallowing air when I feed?

When bottle feeding, sit your baby up as straight as possible – this helps stop them swallowing too much air. Try to make sure the milk fills the teat and there are no air pockets – you could try using an anti-colic bottle to see if that helps.

What positions reduce air breastfeeding?

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.

Do babies swallow more air with paced feeding?

Because paced feeding tamps the flow of milk or formula, babies tend to eat more slowly, taking in less air, making them less prone to gassiness compared to babies who recline to drink.