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As parents, we’ve all experienced the perplexing sound of clicking during our baby’s feeding sessions. While it may seem harmless at first, understanding the underlying causes and finding solutions can significantly improve your baby’s feeding experience. Let’s delve into this topic with clarity and depth, exploring the various factors contributing to clicking during breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Understanding Clicking
In its essence, clicking refers to a short, sharp sound emanating from the baby’s mouth during feeding. While it may not always be as pronounced as an adult’s tongue pop, once recognized, identifying variations in clicking becomes easier. It occurs when there’s a loss of suction, disrupting the feeding process and potentially causing discomfort for the baby.
The Essence of Clicking
When your little one starts making clicking noises similar to, but less crisp than, the signature tongue pop of drag queen Alyssa Edwards, it’s time to play detective. In baby language, this click could mean that the flow of milk has been interrupted.
Imagine your baby as a little connoisseur of milk and the breast or bottle as his preferred goblet. A perfect seal around this goblet allows the milk to flow uninterrupted. If something breaks that seal, air sneaks in, and out comes a ‘click’, signifying a momentary pause in an otherwise smooth drink.
Why Does Clicking Happen?
This unwanted sound generally means the vacuum your baby creates with a good latch has been lost. It could be a simple slip of the nipple or a need for a minor adjustment in the way the baby holds on to it. The click can be sharp or subtle, broadcasting which part of the baby’s tongue is struggling to maintain suction. Spilled milk may seem like another casualty of this suction loss, setting the scene for both clicks and dribbles.
However, leaks can also occur sans clicks, offering further clues for parents figuring out the riddle of feeding issues.
Clicking: A Symptom, Not Necessarily a Problem
Though clicking isn’t a baseline soundtrack for feeding time, it’s not always a cause for alarm. Every now and then, especially if your baby is zealously feeding from an abundantly full breast, a click or two might slip out. These are typically no cause for concern.
Yet the plot thickens when clicking becomes a regular feature of feeding, particularly when it’s among an ensemble of concerns like pain for Mama or weight gain woes for baby. If feeding times have become a series of coughs, splutters, grimaces, or discomfort, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the issue.
Attuning to Your Baby’s Clicks
Clicking is your cue to tune in closer to your baby’s needs. Watch for patterns, and bring these up with a lactation consultant or your pediatrician if needed. After all, feeding is about more than just the milk—it’s a dialogue, a routine that nourishes and nurtures. Understanding what lies behind the clicks brings harmony to this precious practice, securing not just nutrition but the sweet, silent interaction that is the heart of feeding time.
Causes of Clicking
When it comes to understanding what might be disrupting an otherwise smooth feeding session for your baby, the distinctive sound of clicking can offer clues. This auditory signal can point to several possible scenarios that may need addressing to return to those moments of quiet bonding and effective feeding. Let’s explore some of the common culprits that may be causing your little one to click:
Navigating Latch & Positioning Challenges
A primary factor that can lead to clicking is an imperfect latch or suboptimal baby positioning during feeding. An ineffective latch can prevent your baby from creating a tight seal necessary for efficient sucking. Similarly, uncomfortable or unstable positions can also contribute to a poorly maintained latch. By adjusting your approach and practising recommended latching techniques—such as ensuring a wide-open mouth and proper alignment—or experimenting with different holding positions, you can often remedy the situation and enjoy click-free feedings.
Tackling the Torrents of a Forceful Letdown
Another possible cause of clicking is a mother’s forceful letdown, where the milk ejection from the breast is so strong that the baby cannot keep up with the flow. In such cases, babies might break the seal they’ve formed to cope with the overwhelming rush of milk, resulting in that characteristic clicking sound. Strategies such as feeding in more upright positions that help regulate milk flow and allowing the baby to feed “against gravity” can prove helpful in addressing this. Additionally, expressing some milk to lessen the initial gush before feeding can provide relief for both mother and child.
Overcoming Challenges of Engorgement
Breast engorgement can lead to similar issues with latching and suction. When breasts are excessively full, they can become firm and difficult for the baby to compress effectively. This might cause the baby to repeatedly lose suction, leading to clicking. Attending to engorgement promptly and regularly, either by feeding or expressing milk, can alleviate the tension in the breasts and enable your baby to latch on properly, thus resolving the clicking issue and facilitating a more comfortable feeding session for both of you.
Tongue Tie Troubles
A small, often overlooked piece of skin under your baby’s tongue—a ‘tongue tie’—can make it tough for them to move their tongue freely. This can mean they have a hard time keeping a steady grip on the breast or bottle nipple, leading to that clicking sound. If you suspect a tongue tie, a healthcare provider can examine your baby’s mouth and suggest next steps, which might include a simple procedure or exercises to help fend off the clicks and enhance feeding.
Strengthening the Little Tongue
Just like anyone learning a new skill, babies need strong muscles—in this case, a strong tongue—to eat well. If their tongue muscles are on the weaker side, they might not be able to maintain the suction they need to drink without interruption, hence the clicking. Don’t worry, though! There are exercises and special techniques to help your baby beef up those tongue muscles for a more seamless latch and feeding.
Latching on With Lip Tie
The issue could also be tied to the lips—specifically, a ‘lip tie’—a band of tissue that’s a tad too tight, keeping the baby’s lip from flaring out as it should seal around the nipple. This can lead to a shaky seal and those noticeable clicks. For example, tongue ties can be checked out by a medical professional, and there are ways to improve the situation, such as exercises, modifications to feeding techniques, or a quick medical intervention.
Overcoming Body-Related Hurdles
Your baby’s body should be relaxed and comfortable during feeding. If the infant is experiencing muscle strain or conditions such as torticollis, which leads to the head tilting to one side due to tight neck muscles, this may hinder their ability to latch on effectively. This misalignment can lead to that click-clack soundtrack during feeding. Gentle exercises, physical therapy, or adjustments in how you hold your baby can work wonders in reducing this tension and helping both of you enjoy mealtime without the clicks.
Navigating the Landscape of the Mouth
The roof of your baby’s mouth, known as the hard palate, is their stability platform during feeding. If there’s something unusual about the shape or structure of the palate, it could be a bit like trying to balance on wobbly ground, leading to clicking. Depending on the nature of the issue, there are various ways to support your baby, from feeding adjustments to medical advice to ensure that feeding is efficient and comfortable.
Uncovering Hidden Issues: Submucosal Clefts or VPI
Sometimes, the reasons behind the clicks are tucked away out of sight. Submucosal clefts or velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)—where there’s a gap or weakness in the muscles that close off the nose from the mouth during swallowing—can cause a kind of clicking or gurgling sound. These conditions may require specific medical evaluations and treatments to ensure your baby can feed effectively and without discomfort.
Addressing Illness-Related Clicking
Sudden clicks that weren’t there before might indicate that your little one is dealing with an ear infection or thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth). These health issues can make feeding uncomfortable and lead to changes in how your baby eats, including the emergence of clicking. Thankfully, with the right medical treatment, these are temporary obstacles on the road to click-free feeds.
Conclusion
While clicking during feeding may not always be a cause for concern, persistent clicking, especially accompanied by other feeding difficulties, warrants evaluation and intervention. By identifying and tackling the root issues leading to clicking, parents can ensure a more comfortable and efficient feeding experience for their baby. Seeking support from lactation professionals or healthcare providers can provide guidance in troubleshooting, clicking, and promoting successful feeding outcomes.
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