Why does my baby make a gasping sound while breastfeeding?

Understanding Your Baby’s Gasping Sounds While Breastfeeding
For many new parents, the experience of breastfeeding can be filled with unexpected sounds and sensations. One common concern is when a baby makes a gasping sound during nursing. This phenomenon can be alarming, but it is often linked to several factors related to both the baby and the breastfeeding process.
The Nature of Breastfeeding Sounds
Breastfeeding is not a silent activity. Babies often make a variety of noises while feeding, including sucking, swallowing, and even gasping. These sounds can be surprising for first-time parents, as many are unprepared for the auditory experience of nursing. According to experts, these noises are typically normal and part of the breastfeeding process.
Possible Causes of Gasping Sounds
1. Milk Flow Dynamics: One of the most common reasons for a baby to gasp while breastfeeding is related to the flow of milk. If a mother has a strong milk supply or experiences an overactive let-down reflex, the milk can flow too quickly for the baby to manage. This can lead to the baby gasping for air as they try to keep up with the rapid flow. In such cases, the baby may struggle to latch properly or may need to pause frequently to breathe.
2. Positioning Issues: The position in which a baby is held during breastfeeding can also affect their ability to latch and breathe comfortably. If the baby is not positioned correctly, they may find it difficult to maintain a good seal around the nipple, leading to gasping sounds as they attempt to adjust their latch.
3. Anatomical Factors: In some instances, anatomical issues such as laryngomalacia—a condition where the soft tissue above the vocal cords is floppy—can cause noisy breathing in infants. While this condition is common and usually not serious, it can contribute to the sounds a baby makes while feeding.
When to Seek Help
While many instances of gasping during breastfeeding are benign, there are situations where parents should consult a healthcare professional. If the gasping is accompanied by signs of distress, such as turning blue, difficulty breathing, or if the baby seems to be choking, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, if the gasping persists and is concerning, a pediatrician can provide guidance and assess whether there are underlying issues that need to be addressed.
Conclusion
In summary, while the gasping sounds your baby makes during breastfeeding can be concerning, they are often a normal part of the feeding experience. Understanding the dynamics of milk flow, proper positioning, and potential anatomical factors can help alleviate worries. However, always trust your instincts as a parent; if something feels off, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider for reassurance and support.

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.

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.

When should I be concerned about my baby gasping?

Make an appointment with your baby’s doctor if your baby’s breathing pauses often or if they stop breathing for 20 seconds or more, or if you hear your baby gasp (or choke, snore, cough, or snort) in their sleep. These may all be signs of apnea.

How to prevent aspiration while breastfeeding?

Elevation of the head of the bed approximately 30° may help, although young infants may slide down the bed during the night. Dietary modifications include thickening feeds for infants; breastfeeding; decreasing volume of feeds (10-20 mL/kg per feeding); and feeding small, frequent meals.

What are the red flags of laryngomalacia?

Signs and Symptoms of Laryngomalacia
Infants with LM have intermittent noisy breathing when breathing in. It becomes worse with agitation, crying, excitement, feeding or position / sleeping on their back. These symptoms are often present at birth and are usually apparent within the first 10 days of life.

What is a tracheal tug while breastfeeding?

This is called a “tracheal tug”. This is a sign that your baby is working very, very hard to breathe and needs a break. If this continues, the baby is telling you she is not ready to feed. If she is working too hard to breathe, she may be using more calories to feed and will not grow well.

Can babies with laryngomalacia breastfeed?

Other airway conditions that may be compatible with direct breastfeeding include vocal fold immobility and laryngomalacia. Breastfeeding may not be straightforward in complex infants.

Why does my baby sound like gasping for air while breastfeeding?

Air in the nipple can be gulped with the milk. Crying. All that gasping can mean extra air is getting swallowed. Oversupply/strong letdown.

Why is my baby gasping while bottle feeding?

Most babies who have laryngomalacia start having symptoms within a few days to weeks after birth. These symptoms may include: Noisy breathing. Difficulty feeding or gasping/choking noises while feeding.

Is laryngomalacia life threatening?

Laryngomalacia is usually not life threatening.