Why does my baby squeak when feeding?

Understanding Your Baby’s Squeaking During Feeding
If you’ve noticed your baby making squeaking sounds while feeding, you might be wondering what’s causing this unusual noise. While it can be concerning for parents, there are several common explanations for this phenomenon, many of which are benign.
Laryngomalacia: A Common Culprit
One of the primary reasons for squeaking sounds in infants is a condition known as laryngomalacia. This condition occurs when the tissues around the voice box (larynx) are soft and floppy, leading to a partial obstruction of the airway. As your baby breathes, the air passing through the narrowed space can create a high-pitched squeak or stridor, particularly noticeable during feeding, crying, or when the baby is agitated.
Laryngomalacia is quite common in infants and typically resolves on its own as the child grows and the laryngeal tissues strengthen. However, it can be alarming for parents to hear these sounds, especially if they are unfamiliar with the condition. The squeaking may worsen when the baby is lying on their back, which is often the position during feeding.
Feeding Dynamics and Air Intake
Another factor contributing to squeaking sounds during feeding is the way babies feed. Infants often suck rapidly at the beginning of a feeding session to trigger the letdown reflex of breast milk. This rapid sucking can lead to the intake of air, which may cause squeaky noises as they swallow. Additionally, if a baby is not latched properly, they might create a vacuum that results in squeaking sounds as they try to draw milk.
Normal Noises of Infancy
It’s also important to remember that babies are known for their wide range of sounds, including grunts, snorts, and squeaks. These noises are often just a part of their normal development as they adjust to breathing air after being in the womb for nine months. Their tiny lungs and nasal passages are still maturing, which can lead to various sounds during feeding and at other times.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While squeaking during feeding is often harmless, there are instances when it may warrant a visit to a pediatrician. If the squeaking is accompanied by signs of distress, difficulty breathing, or if the sounds seem to worsen over time, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional. A pediatric ENT specialist can perform a flexible laryngoscopy to examine the throat and determine if there are any underlying issues that need to be addressed.
In conclusion, while the squeaking sounds your baby makes during feeding can be concerning, they are often linked to normal developmental processes or conditions like laryngomalacia. Understanding these factors can help ease your worries and ensure that your little one is feeding comfortably.

What does RSV sound like in babies?

RSV symptoms in babies:
A long exhale sound (usually exhaling is pretty fast, in RSV it is longer than the inhale sound) Flaring of your baby’s nostrils with every breath. A persistent cough. Wheezing (a whistling sound each time your baby breathes out)

Why does my newborn make squeaky noises while eating?

It happens when a baby’s larynx (or voice box) is soft and floppy. When the baby takes a breath, the part of the larynx above the vocal cords falls in and temporarily blocks the baby’s airway. Laryngomalacia (luh-ring-oh-muh-LAY-shuh) usually gets better on its own by the time a baby is 1 year old.

What does a baby with laryngomalacia sound like?

Laryngomalacia sounds like a high-pitched squeak (stridor) when your baby breathes in. It usually isn’t serious. But in severe cases, it can cause breathing and feeding issues, among other complications.

Can babies with laryngomalacia breastfeed?

Most babies with laryngomalacia have no trouble breathing or feeding, even when their breathing sounds concerning. Breathing usually gets louder when lying down, sleeping, crying or feeding.

Why does my baby make noises when bottle feeding?

It usually means that the flow is too fast for the baby and the noise is them protecting their airway. The baby usually ends up swallowing a lot of air as they are gulping and trying to keep up with the flow. If you are breastfeeding, after about the first 5 min of feeding, stop and burp them.

Why does my baby make noises when feeding?

Why is my baby making clicking noises?

• Poor positioning/latch
• A strong, forceful letdown
• Engorgement
• Poor tongue mobility/function (Such as tongue tie)
• A weakness of the tongue
• Inability to maintain a seal due to weak muscles or restricted lip (lip tie)
• Body tension or physical limitations such as Torticollis

When should I be worried about laryngomalacia?

Symptoms that signal the need for laryngomalacia surgery include: Life-threatening apneas (stoppages of breathing) Significant blue spells. Failure to gain weight with feeding.

Why does my newborn make a squeaky sound?

Stridor is a type of noisy breathing. It’s most common in babies because their airways are narrower. It’s usually described as a repetitive or high-pitched squeaking sound. It may happen occasionally or when your baby is resting.

Does laryngomalacia cause SIDS?

It is suggested that laryngomalacia may be a cause for early apnea of infancy. Obstructive apnea is a well-documented cause for apnea of infancy (‘near miss’ sudden infant death syndrome) [2,7,12,19,20].

Why does my baby squeak when nursing?

It is a genetic condition in the area of the voice box that usually manifests with a squeaking noise, like a whistle, when the baby breastfeeds, cries, or is on their tummy.