Why does my breastfed baby swallow so much air?

Understanding Air Swallowing in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful process, but it can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges, such as your baby swallowing a significant amount of air. This phenomenon, known medically as aerophagia, can be a source of discomfort for both infants and parents alike.
Why Babies Swallow Air
When babies feed, they often engage in a combination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. This coordination is crucial, but it can be tricky for newborns who are still mastering these skills. As they suck at the breast, they may inadvertently draw in air, especially if they are crying, laughing, or feeding too eagerly. This air swallowing can lead to colic symptoms and various gastrointestinal issues, making your little one fussy and uncomfortable.
Factors Contributing to Air Swallowing
Several factors can contribute to how much air your breastfed baby swallows:
1. Understanding Air Swallowing in Breastfed Babies
Breastfed babies often swallow a significant amount of air during feeding, which can lead to various gastrointestinal issues. This phenomenon, known as aerophagia, is a common occurrence and can be attributed to several factors.
Coordination of Sucking, Swallowing, and Breathing
Newborns are still developing the coordination between sucking, swallowing, and breathing during breastfeeding. This lack of coordination can cause them to inadvertently swallow air while trying to latch on and feed. As they grow older, this coordination typically improves, reducing the amount of air swallowed.
Feeding Positions and Techniques
The way a baby is positioned and the breastfeeding technique used can also contribute to air swallowing. Improper latch, incorrect positioning, or using a bottle after breastfeeding can all lead to increased air intake.
Digestive System Development
Newborns have a relatively immature digestive system, which can make it challenging for them to effectively process and expel the swallowed air. This can result in discomfort, gas, and a distended belly.
Dietary Factors
In some cases, the mother’s diet may also play a role in the baby’s gas and air swallowing. Certain foods, such as dairy products, can cause gas in the breastfed baby, leading to increased air swallowing.
Addressing the Issue
To help reduce air swallowing and the associated discomfort, lactation consultants and healthcare providers may recommend the following:
– Proper breastfeeding positioning and latch techniques
– Burping the baby frequently during and after feedings
– Avoiding bottle-feeding after breastfeeding to prevent additional air intake
– Monitoring the mother’s diet and adjusting it if certain foods seem to be causing issues
By understanding the causes of air swallowing and implementing appropriate strategies, parents can help their breastfed babies experience more comfortable and enjoyable feeding experiences.

What foods make reflux worse in breastfed babies?

Citrus fruit, tomatoes, caffeine containing drinks (tea, coffee, coke) and chocolate may also need to be avoided by the breast-feeding mother of a reflux baby. Remember that all babies are different and different babies react to different foods – the list above is a guideline only.

Why is my baby swallowing too much air while breastfeeding?

Make sure your baby has a good latch so he doesn’t swallow too much air. Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet.

Why is my breastfed baby getting so much air?

Babies often swallow air when sucking on the breast or a bottle, especially if they drink too quickly or don’t have an optimal latch on the nipple. They can also swallow air when crying. Food sensitivities. Hypersensitivities or allergies to certain types of food in mom’s diet are less common causes of baby gas.

Why does my baby sound like gulping air when feeding?

The infant will gulp air and swallow this when the system is not closed. This clicking and gulping can lead to ingested air and if not properly managed, lead to gassiness, excessive burping and even symptoms of reflux. This is referred to as Aerophagia Induced Reflux (A.I.R.).

Do babies swallow more air with paced feeding?

Because paced feeding tamps the flow of milk or formula, babies tend to eat more slowly, taking in less air, making them less prone to gassiness compared to babies who recline to drink.

How to stop baby gulping air when feeding?

* Breastfeeding mothers can avoid their babies from swallowing air by keeping them in an upright position (45 degree angle). * Flexing baby’s knees up against baby’s chest will help relieve burps and also helps for relieving flatulence. After about the age of 5 months, most babies do not need to be burped anymore.

How can I get my baby to swallow less air?

Whether drinking from the bottle or breastfeeding, make sure baby has a good latch—their lips should create a seal on the areola or base of the bottle nipple (not just the tip of your breast or bottle). Using a nipple that creates a slower flow out of the bottle can help baby swallow less air.

Is it normal for babies to swallow air?

Swallowed air that is not released by burping passes through the digestive tract and is released as gas (flatus). Babies often swallow air during feeding. It is important to burp your baby during and after feeding. Swallowed air may cause a baby to be upset and have colic behaviour.

Why is my baby swallowing air while bottle-feeding?

A baby may swallow excess air during bottle-feeding when drinking too fast or if they are fed while lying down. Your baby is swallowing too fast when: They’re not taking a breath between swallows. Their eyes are opened wider than usual.

Is it normal to hear baby gulping while breastfeeding?

Sometimes you may hear your baby gulping, especially if you have lots of milk. Clicking or smacking sounds may mean that your baby is not latched correctly. Your nipple looks rounded, not flattened, when your baby comes off your breast. You can’t easily slide her off the breast.