Why does my baby kick and squirm while breastfeeding?

Understanding Baby’s Kicking and Squirming During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a beautiful bonding experience between a mother and her baby, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges. One common concern among nursing mothers is why their babies kick and squirm while feeding. This behavior, while sometimes perplexing, is often completely normal and can be attributed to several factors.
Reasons for Squirming
1. Discomfort or Pain: One of the primary reasons a baby might squirm during breastfeeding is discomfort. Conditions such as ear infections can cause pain when the baby is lying down, leading to fussiness and movement while nursing. Additionally, teething can inflame the gums, making it painful for the baby to latch properly, which can result in squirming as they try to alleviate the discomfort.
2. Milk Flow and Latch Issues: Babies may also squirm if they are frustrated with the milk flow or their latch. If the milk isn’t flowing quickly enough, or if they are struggling to latch correctly, they might kick and pull at the nipple in frustration. This is particularly common in newborns who are still learning how to nurse effectively.
3. Gas and Digestive Discomfort: Another frequent cause of squirming is gas. Babies often have immature digestive systems, which can lead to discomfort and bloating. This discomfort can manifest as excessive squirming during feeding. If a baby has trapped gas, they may kick and wiggle in an attempt to relieve the pressure.
4. Growth Spurts and Increased Activity: During growth spurts, babies may become more active and restless. They might squirm as they try to adjust to their changing needs, which can include wanting to feed more frequently or for longer periods. This increased activity can also be a sign that they are using breastfeeding as a source of comfort, similar to a pacifier.
5. Playfulness and Exploration: Babies are naturally curious and playful. While nursing, they might kick, wave their arms, or even play with their mother’s face. This behavior is often a part of their exploration and is completely normal. It’s their way of engaging with their environment, even while feeding.
Managing Squirming
While it’s important to understand that squirming is often a normal part of breastfeeding, there are ways to help manage it. Ensuring a comfortable feeding position can help alleviate some discomfort. If gas is a concern, gentle tummy massages or burping the baby during and after feeds can provide relief. Additionally, if teething is the issue, offering a cold teething ring before nursing might help soothe their gums.
In conclusion, while a squirming baby can be a source of concern for many mothers, it is typically a normal behavior driven by various factors, including discomfort, frustration, and playfulness. Understanding these reasons can help mothers navigate the breastfeeding journey with more confidence and ease.

Why is my baby flailing around while breastfeeding?

This is not true – babies are designed to be able to feed, it’s our approach that often makes it hard for them. The baby that is flailing is a baby that is desperately trying to use their instincts to feed. Very often they grab the nipple in a desperate attempt to hold on – ouch!

Why is my baby squirming and pulling while breastfeeding?

Why do babies push and strain when breastfeeding? Pushing and straining is normal and is part of the baby’s learning process. At birth, babies have a gastrocolic reflex that allows them to eat and have a bowel movement within a few seconds. That is why when they start to suckle, you hear their tummy moving.

How to tell the difference between cluster feeding and comfort feeding?

Your baby is only nursing for comfort nursing when you see these signs: Flutter sucking, slowing down, stop sucking, or making little sucks. Still and looking into space while nursing. Holding the nipple in their mouth but not sucking for milk.

Why does my baby grunt and thrash while breastfeeding?

Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that’s being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.

Why is my baby kicking and fussing while feeding?

Experts can’t always pinpoint the exact reason it happens, but fussiness is especially common in the first few months of life, and also during evening feedings. Some babies fuss when they’re having a growth spurt, or when they’re struggling with a fast milk flow.

How to tell if baby is comfort nursing?

Your baby is only nursing for comfort nursing when you see these signs:

1. Flutter sucking, slowing down, stop sucking, or making little sucks.
2. Still and looking into space while nursing.
3. Holding the nipple in their mouth but not sucking for milk.
4. Rooting and sucking lightly at the breast.
5. Arching and grabbing ears.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

The third crisis occurs after three months, at this stage the baby has much greater suction strength and will take faster feedings as he is able to empty the breasts with greater speed, that is to say, take more in less time, this period coincides with the development of their hearing and vision, that makes everything …

Why does my baby kick so much while breastfeeding?

If nursing is not the calm bonding you were expecting, don’t worry. Some squirming is normal, but if your baby is especially active and squirmy during feedings, it could indicate that they are frustrated.

Why is my baby so frantic when feeding?

Baby’s fussing could mean “I’m not ready yet”. Perhaps the baby needs to burp or fill its nappy (or needs a nappy change) before he can relax and enjoy breastfeeding. Discomfort will distract him from feeding, and you may not realise what he needs to do until after the event!

Why is my baby thrashing around while breastfeeding?

Overactive letdown (known medically as hyperlactation) can make it hard for a baby to keep up with the steady stream of milk. As a response, they may twist and tug to try and make the milk flow slow down or stop.