Why does my babys jaw click when feeding?

Understanding the Clicking Sound in Your Baby’s Jaw During Feeding
If you’ve noticed a clicking sound coming from your baby’s jaw while feeding, you’re not alone. This phenomenon can be concerning for parents, but it’s often a normal part of infant development. Let’s explore the reasons behind this clicking and what it might mean for your baby’s feeding experience.
The Mechanics of Feeding
When babies feed, whether from breast or bottle, they create a seal with their lips around the nipple. This suction is crucial for effective feeding. However, if the seal is broken, a clicking sound can occur. This break in suction often happens when the baby’s tongue doesn’t maintain its position against the palate, leading to a loss of the necessary pressure to keep the seal intact.
Possible Causes of Clicking
1. Tongue Function: The strength and coordination of a baby’s tongue play a significant role in feeding. If a baby has weak tongue muscles, known as oral motor hypotonia, they may struggle to maintain the suction needed for feeding, resulting in clicking sounds. This can also be exacerbated by conditions like tongue tie, where the frenulum (the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is too tight, limiting tongue movement.
2. Jaw Development: Babies’ jaws are still developing, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) takes time to mature. At around four months, the TMJ is not fully developed, which can lead to clicking sounds as the jaw moves. This clicking is generally not a cause for concern and is often a normal part of growth.
3. Feeding Position and Technique: The way a baby is positioned during feeding can also affect their ability to maintain a proper seal. If the baby is not latched correctly, or if they are in an awkward position, it can lead to interruptions in suction and the characteristic clicking noise.
When to Seek Help
While occasional clicking sounds during feeding are typically harmless, there are signs that may warrant a consultation with a pediatrician or a lactation consultant. If your baby seems to be in pain, is not gaining weight adequately, or if the clicking is accompanied by other feeding difficulties, it may be time to investigate further.
In summary, a clicking sound from your baby’s jaw during feeding is often a normal occurrence related to their developing oral motor skills and jaw structure. However, if you have concerns about your baby’s feeding or overall health, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance.

Why is my baby’s lower jaw quivering while feeding?

Although it sounds like a straightforward process, breastfeeding actually requires a complex series of muscle movements in the tongue, jaw, throat, lips, and face. It’s especially likely in the first few weeks for your baby’s jaw to quiver or tremble due to muscle fatigue.

Why does my baby make noises when feeding?

During feeding, your baby will also make sucking, burping and quiet low-pitched contented sounds. Crying and making noises are important as this is how your baby learns to control the air that comes from their lungs and use their vocal cords. It lays the foundation for speaking.

How many letdowns per feed?

There are usually 2-4 letdowns per nursing session, but you may not realize it unless you pay close attention to baby’s suckling pattern.

Why does my son’s jaw click when he eats?

This type of jaw clicking is normal and usually isn’t a cause for concern. Jaw popping can also happen when you close your mouth, then open it again — like when you’re chewing or speaking. This type of jaw clicking occurs when the articular disk — the cartilage that cushions your jaw joint — slides in and out of place.

What is Gestalt breastfeeding?

‘gestalt breastfeeding’, which aims to optimise positional stability and intra-oral breast tissue. volumes for pain-free effective breastfeeding. The word gestalt (pronounced ‘ger-shtolt’) means ‘a whole that is more than the sum of its parts.’

Why does my baby’s jaw click 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

Why does my baby make noises while eating?

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.

Why does my baby make clicking noises when feeding?

Clicking is caused whenever there is a loss of suction. This can happen both at the breast or on the bottle, and may or may not be seen in conjunction with more obvious signs of “breaking the seal” such as leaking.

Why is there a clicking sound coming from my baby’s mouth?

Teething may be a cause of temporary clicking. If your baby has a sore mouth from the teething he may be trying to relieve it somewhat by not getting as tight of a seal around the breast or by repeatedly breaking the suction (thus the clicking).

Should baby’s jaw move while nursing?

Your baby’s mouth should open wide during latch-on. It is important to get baby attached to the areola, with the nipple drawn into the mouth behind jaw lines. This ensures proper attachment. You should see your baby’s jaw, ear or temple move with proper attachment.