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Why does my baby wiggle around so much when breastfeeding?

Understanding Baby Wiggles During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can be a delightful yet sometimes puzzling experience for new parents, especially when their little ones start to wiggle and squirm during feedings. This behavior, while it may seem distracting or even concerning, is quite common and can be attributed to several factors.
Curiosity and Exploration
One of the primary reasons babies wiggle while breastfeeding is their innate curiosity about the world around them. As infants grow, they become increasingly aware of their environment. This newfound awareness can lead to fidgeting as they explore their surroundings, even while latched onto the breast. The act of breastfeeding is not just about feeding; it’s also a time for bonding and interaction. Babies may wiggle in excitement, eager to engage with their mother and the world beyond the breast.
Comfort and Contentment
Wiggling can also be a sign of a baby’s comfort and happiness. When a baby is content, they may express this joy through movement. The closeness of breastfeeding provides a sense of security, and the physical connection can lead to a joyful response, manifesting as wWhy Babies Wiggle During Breastfeeding
Babies often wiggle and squirm during breastfeeding for a variety of reasons. This behavior is perfectly normal and is a sign that your baby is alert, healthy, and engaged in the feeding process.
Excitement and Curiosity
One of the main reasons babies wiggle is because they are excited and curious about the world around them. Breastfeeding provides a close, intimate connection with their mother, which can be incredibly stimulating for a baby. As they become more aware of their surroundings, they may start to twist, turn, and fidget to take in all the new sights and sensations.
Milk Flow and Hunger Levels
Babies may also wiggle if the milk flow is too fast or slow for their liking. If the milk is flowing too quickly, they may pull away or squirm to slow it down. Conversely, if the milk flow is too slow, they may become frustrated and wiggle to try to stimulate more milk.
Discovering New Abilities
As babies grow, they start to gain more control over their movements. The wiggling and squirming may be their way of exploring and experimenting with their newfound abilities. They may be trying to touch your face, grab your hair, or simply move their bodies in new ways.
Discomfort or Overstimulation
In some cases, excessive wiggling may be a sign of discomfort or overstimulation. Babies can become overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, or other environmental factors during feedings. The wiggling may be their way of trying to cope with these sensations.
Overall, the wiggling and squirming of a breastfeeding baby is a normal and healthy part of their development. As long as your baby is gaining weight and seems content overall, this behavior is nothing to worry about. If you have any concerns, be sure to discuss them with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.

How to know baby is not satisfied after breastfeeding?

Inadequate weight gain is one of the strongest signs that a baby is not getting enough milk. 6. After 7 days, your baby has fewer than 6 wet diapers and 4 stools per day, their urine is dark yellow or specked with red, or their stool color is still dark rather than yellow and loose.

Why is my baby thrashing around while breastfeeding?

Oversupply or forceful flow
When a mother is producing too much milk, her baby may often bring up milk, be very windy and want to nurse a lot. He may suffer with colic, and be fussy at the breast, arching away when the milk starts flowing.

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 so wiggly while bottle-feeding?

As your baby gets older, they become much more efficient eaters, and eating doesn’t take as long as it did in the first few months of life. If you’re using a slower flow nipple, your baby may get distracted while eating because he wants the milk to come out faster. Consider moving up a nipple size to see if it helps.

Why is my baby so wiggly while nursing?

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 fidgety while feeding?

Just as breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are getting easier and everyone is getting into a groove, your little one starts getting fidgety and distracted during feedings. As frustrating as this can be for you, it’s a pretty normal stage for babies as they get older and become more aware of their surroundings.

Why does my baby move around while breastfeeding?

Because you aren’t holding the head, it can move around. This might become more of a problem as the baby gets older and becomes easily distracted. Cradle hold is one of the most common ways to breastfeed. If you have your baby in a sling, cradle hold can work well.

Why does my baby move his hands a lot while breastfeeding?

The authors observed that infants use their hands to push and pull the breast to shape the breast and provide easier access to the nipple. Newborns and young infants also use their hands to push the breast away, possibly to get a better visual sense of the location of the nipple.

Why is my baby so squirmy while nursing?

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 does my baby wiggle so much while breastfeeding?

Some squirming is normal, but if your baby is especially active and squirmy during feedings, it could indicate that they are frustrated. Read on to learn some common reasons your baby may be twisting and pulling while breastfeeding and what you can do about it.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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