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Why is my baby so wiggly while nursing?

Understanding Your Baby’s Wiggles While Nursing
If you’ve noticed that your baby is particularly wiggly during nursing sessions, you’re not alone. Many parents experience this phenomenon, and it can be both amusing and perplexing. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior can help you navigate these moments with greater ease.
Exploration and Discovery
One of the primary reasons your baby may be wiggly while nursing is simply curiosity. Babies are naturally inquisitive, and as they grow, they become more aware of their surroundings. This newfound awareness can lead to increased movement as they explore the world around them, even while engaged in the comforting act of breastfeeding. According to lactation experts, babies who wiggle during nursing are not necessarily ready to wean; rather, they are discovering their environment and may be distracted by sights, sounds, or even the feel of your clothing.
Physical Comfort and Positioning
Another factor contributing to your baby’s wiggly behavior could be related to comfort and positioning. Babies often adjust their bodies to find a more comfortable latch or to relieve any discomfort they might be feeling. If your baby is twisting, pulling, or kicking, it might indicate that they are trying to get into a position that feels better for them. Ensuring that both you and your baby are in a comfortable position can help reduce this restlessness.
Milk Flow and Feeding Dynamics
The dynamics of breastfeeding itself can also play a significant role in your baby’s movements. If your milk flow is particularly fast, your baby might struggle to keep up, leading to fidgeting as they try to manage the flow. Conversely, if the flow is slow, they may become impatient and squirmy. Observing your baby’s feeding patterns can provide insights into whether the milk flow is contributing to their wiggly behavior.
Emotional Connection and Bonding
Breastfeeding is not just about nutrition; it’s also a time for bonding. Your baby may wiggle as a way of expressing excitement or engagement during this intimate time. The act of nursing creates a strong emotional connection, and your baby’s movements can be a reflection of their comfort and happiness in that moment.
Strategies to Help Calm Your Baby
If your baby’s wiggling becomes distracting or bothersome, there are several strategies you can employ to help them relax. Creating a calm environment by minimizing distractions, using gentle rocking motions, or even trying different nursing positions can make a significant difference. Some parents find that skin-to-skin contact helps soothe their baby, allowing for a more peaceful nursing experience.
In conclusion, while a wiggly baby during nursing can be a source of concern, it is often a normal part of their development. By understanding the reasons behind this behavior and employing some calming techniques, you can enhance both your and your baby’s nursing experience. Embrace these moments of exploration and connection; they are all part of the beautiful journey of parenthood.

What causes lots of gas and loose stools?

Excess gas is often a symptom of chronic intestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth. An increase or change in the bacteria in the small intestine can cause excess gas, diarrhea and weight loss. Food intolerances.

Why is my baby so fidgety when feeding?

They may become impatient and push away with their legs and fists. Many babies around 4 to 6 months of age become easily distracted. They start to become more aware of the environment around them and many noises can distract them from feeding.

Why is my baby so wiggly while bottle-feeding?

If your baby is fussing during bottle feeding, you may need to try changing the feeding position, the type of baby milk, the teat, or the bottle.

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 thrashing around while breastfeeding?

Overactive letdown (known medically as hyperlactation) can make it hard for a baby to keep up with the steady stream of milk. As a response, they may twist and tug to try and make the milk flow slow down or stop.

How to tell if a breastfed baby has diarrhea?

Until 2 months of age, they may pass a stool after each feeding. But, if stools suddenly increase in number and looseness, suspect diarrhea. If it lasts for 3 or more stools, the baby has diarrhea. If the stools contain mucus, blood or smell bad, this points to diarrhea.

Is it normal for babies to have loose motions while breastfeeding?

Runny stools can even be bordered by a water ring. These are all normal stools. Breastfed babies often pass more than 6 stools per day. Until 2 months of age, they may pass a stool after each feeding.

Why does my baby grunt and thrash while breastfeeding?

Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that’s being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.

How to tell if baby is comfort nursing?

Your baby is only nursing for comfort nursing when you see these signs:

  1. Flutter sucking, slowing down, stop sucking, or making little sucks.
  2. Still and looking into space while nursing.
  3. Holding the nipple in their mouth but not sucking for milk.
  4. Rooting and sucking lightly at the breast.
  5. Arching and grabbing ears.

Why is my baby so squirmy while breastfeeding?

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.

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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