Why Is My Baby Squirming While Breastfeeding?

When you’re a new parent navigating the world of breastfeeding, it’s common to encounter various behaviors from your little one. One of these behaviors that may leave you puzzled is when your baby squirms while breastfeeding. It’s essential to understand why your baby is squirming to address any potential issues effectively.

Reasons Behind Baby Squirming While Breastfeeding

There are several reasons why your baby may squirm during nursing sessions. Understanding these factors can help you better assist your baby. Some common reasons include:

Hunger or Fullness

Your baby might be squirming because they are either still hungry or feeling full. Pay attention to their feeding cues to determine their needs.

Positioning Difficulties

If your baby is uncomfortable due to an improper latch or positioning, they may squirm to find a more comfortable nursing position.

Distractions

Babies are naturally curious, and they may squirm if there are distractions in their environment while nursing.

Discomfort or Pain

Your baby could be experiencing discomfort or pain, such as gas or reflux, which may cause them to squirm during feedings.

Tips to Address Baby’s Squirming

Fortunately, there are several strategies you can implement to help ease your baby’s squirming during breastfeeding:

Ensuring Proper Latch

Make sure your baby has a good latch to prevent discomfort and reduce squirming while feeding.

Creating a Calm Nursing Environment

Minimize distractions and create a peaceful nursing environment to help your baby focus on eating without squirming.

Offering Feeds at the Right Time

Timing is crucial when it comes to breastfeeding. Try feeding your baby when they are calm and not overly hungry to reduce squirming.

Addressing Potential Discomforts

If your baby continues to squirm, check for signs of discomfort or pain, and address them accordingly to make feeding sessions more comfortable for your little one.

Why Is My Baby Squirming While Breastfeeding?

Consulting a Lactation Specialist if Needed

If your baby’s squirming persists, consider seeking support from a lactation specialist who can provide personalized guidance and assistance tailored to your baby’s specific needs.

Photo of author

Nancy Sherman

Nancy Sherman has more than a decade of experience in education and is passionate about helping schools, teachers, and students succeed. She began her career as a Teaching Fellow in NY where she worked with educators to develop their instructional practice. Since then she held diverse roles in the field including Educational Researcher, Academic Director for a non-profit foundation, Curriculum Expert and Coach, while also serving on boards of directors for multiple organizations. She is trained in Project-Based Learning, Capstone Design (PBL), Competency-Based Evaluation (CBE) and Social Emotional Learning Development (SELD).