Is Your Newborn Clicking While Breastfeeding?
If your newborn is clicking while nursing, you’re probably wondering what’s going on — and whether it’s something you need to fix.
The good news? Clicking during breastfeeding isn’t always a problem. But it is a clue that suction is being lost somewhere in your baby’s latch, even if it’s only temporary.
Once you understand why clicking happens — and what to watch for — you can decide whether it’s something to let go of… or something worth troubleshooting.
Why Clicking Happens while Breastfeeding
Hearing a clicking sound while breastfeeding can be confusing — but it becomes much easier to interpret once you understand what causes it.
The clicking noise you hear is simply the sound of suction being lost somewhere in your baby’s latch.
Think of it like using a plunger: when suction breaks, you hear a pop. It’s the same idea with your baby.
Common causes of clicking sounds
- The lips — If your baby’s lips aren’t fully flanged outward, they may lose suction slightly with every suck.
- The tongue — If your baby’s tongue isn’t able to follow their jaw up and down smoothly, it can lose contact and suction may break.
Is Clicking While Breastfeeding Bad?
The clicking sound itself isn’t harmful. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, and it doesn’t automatically mean your baby isn’t getting enough milk.
Clicking is just information — a clue that something inside your baby’s mouth isn’t working as smoothly as it could in that moment.
And that’s okay. Your baby doesn’t need a perfect latch every time they feed.
Why clicking can come and go
It’s completely normal for latch quality to vary from feed to feed depending on the circumstances.
- They were very hungry before they latched.
- They were crying or upset before they latched.
- Your milk flow is faster — especially in the morning or after longer stretches between feeds.
These moments can affect your baby’s latch — just like stress and hunger can affect your own table manners. We don’t live in a textbook; we live in real life.
Clicking, Tongue Ties, and Gas
Clicking often brings up the same questions — especially about tongue ties and gassiness, and whle some of the answers are easy, some need a bit more nuance.
Does clicking mean my baby has a tongue tie?
No, not necessarily. A tongue tie can be one reason tongue movement is restricted and suction is breaking — but it’s not the only reason clicking can happen.
Could my baby have a tongue tie if they aren’t clicking?
Yes. Tongue ties show up in different ways inside a baby’s mouth, and plenty of babies with ties don’t click at all. But they often show other signs in the latch — if you know what to look for.
Does clicking while breastfeeding cause gas?
This is where things get a little tricky — because there’s a very commonly repeated narrative that swallowing air causes gas.
And yes, if your baby is frequently breaking suction, they may swallow extra air. Some babies are temporarily uncomfortable from that, especially if they’re truly gulping or feeding is very disorganized.
But swallowed air alone isn’t proven to be a major cause of lasting gas pain or bigger belly issues. It’s a popular explanation — but there’s surprisingly little research that clearly supports it as the main driver of infant gas symptoms.
More often, ongoing gassiness is related to normal newborn digestion and feeding dynamics, like:
- Gut motility and digestion — Newborn digestive systems are immature. Gas can move through slowly or unpredictably, even when feeding is going well.
- Feeding dynamics — Fast flow, oversupply, or a strong let-down can cause gulping, coughing, and disorganized feeding, which can feel like gas discomfort (even if air swallowing isn’t the main issue).
- Gastrointestinal sensitivity — Some babies are simply more sensitive. They may seem “gassy” or uncomfortable even without a clear latch problem or obvious air intake.
If clicking is occasional, it’s unlikely to be a major factor.
If clicking is frequent and your baby seems uncomfortable after most feeds, that’s when it’s worth taking a closer look at the latch and feeding rhythm.
What to Do if Your Baby is Clicking
First, get curious. Watch and listen. See if there’s a pattern.
Then use that information to decide whether clicking is something that needs attention — or some extra stress you can let go of.
If your baby clicks occasionally
If clicking happens occasionally — especially in the mornings or after longer stretches between feeds — it’s usually nothing to worry about. Remember, clicking is just a symptom. It’s not necessarily a problem.
If your baby clicks during most feeds
If your baby is clicking during most feeds — or if you notice other signs that make you concerned about their latch — it may be time to work with someone trained in oral function to assess whether everything is working optimally.
Your next steps
Clicking is never something to panic about. It’s just something to be curious about.
If someone tells you your baby’s latch “looks good,” but they’re still clicking while nursing, that tells you they may not be seeing the full picture.
If something feels off, trust yourself. That clicking sound can be a validation that there’s something worth looking into — and you are the expert on your baby.
If you want more information about bottles and clicking, check out the Go Deeper: Understanding Clicking, session replay -which goes more in-depth about clicking and how to help.
Want More Support?
If this blog was helpful, here are a few related posts you might like.
➜ Go Deeper: How to Get a Good Latch
➜ Will a Shallow Latch Correct Itself?
🔒 Latching in Action: Helping a Baby Open Wide and Get a Deeper Latch
🔒 Expanded Access resources go deeper to help you solve your latching and feeding problems. Click here to learn more about what's inside.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clicking
