How To Stop Clicking When Breastfeeding? Simple Tips

Hearing a clicking sound while your baby breastfeeds can be worrying, but it is a common issue with clear causes and practical fixes. The clicking usually means your baby is losing their latch or suction during the feed, which can lead to swallowing air, gassiness, and sore nipples. You can often stop the clicking by adjusting your baby’s positioning, improving the depth of the latch, and checking for tongue-tie with a qualified professional.

What Causes the Clicking Sound During Breastfeeding?

The click you hear is the sound of your baby breaking the seal between their tongue and your breast. When a baby latches well, their tongue covers the lower gum ridge and creates a seal that keeps the nipple deep in their mouth. If that seal breaks, air gets in, and you hear a clicking or smacking sound.

This broken seal also means your baby is not removing milk as efficiently. They may swallow more air during the feed. That extra air often leads to hiccups, gas, and fussiness after nursing. It can also make feeding less efficient, which may frustrate a hungry baby.

Several things can cause the seal to break. A shallow latch is the most common reason. If the baby only has the nipple tip in their mouth, they cannot maintain the suction needed for a smooth feed. The position of the baby’s tongue also matters. A tongue that cannot lift properly or extend far enough will struggle to keep that seal intact.

How To Stop Clicking When Breastfeeding Causes And Fixes

Stopping the clicking starts with improving the latch. A deep latch is the foundation of a quiet, comfortable feed. When your baby opens wide, aim the nipple toward the roof of their mouth. This helps them take in more breast tissue, not just the nipple itself.

Check the position of your baby’s body. Their ear, shoulder, and hip should be in a straight line. Their tummy should face your body, not the ceiling. If your baby has to turn their head to reach the breast, they cannot maintain a deep latch for long. That head turn alone can cause the seal to break and the clicking to start.

Pay attention to your baby’s lips. Their lips should be flanged out, like fish lips, not tucked inward. A tucked lower lip is a common reason for a broken seal. You can gently pull the lower lip out after latching to help create a better seal.

Watch the angle of your baby’s chin. Their chin should be pressed into your breast, with their nose slightly away from the breast. This position naturally tips the baby’s head back and encourages a deeper latch. If the chin is off the breast, the baby is likely holding the nipple too shallowly.

Does Tongue-Tie Cause Clicking?

Tongue-tie, medically called ankyloglossia, is a condition where the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too tight. This restricts the tongue’s movement. A tongue that cannot lift, extend, or move side to side will struggle to maintain the seal needed for quiet feeding.

Not all clicking is caused by tongue-tie. Many babies click because of positioning or latch issues alone. But if you have tried adjusting your positioning and the clicking continues, tongue-tie is worth investigating.

If you suspect tongue-tie, ask your pediatrician or a lactation consultant to do a thorough assessment. They should look at the tongue’s movement, not just its appearance. A tongue that looks tied but moves well may not cause problems. A tongue that looks normal but functions poorly can still cause feeding issues.

Treating tongue-tie, when it is truly causing feeding problems, may involve a simple procedure called a frenotomy. This is a quick release of the tight tissue. Some research suggests this can improve breastfeeding comfort and efficiency, but results vary. Many babies feed well without any intervention, and conservative management with positioning changes helps many families.

What About Nipple Shields and Other Tools?

Nipple shields are thin silicone covers that fit over the nipple during feeding. Some parents find them helpful for very flat or inverted nipples. They can also help a baby who struggles to latch in the first days after birth.

However, nipple shields are not a long-term solution for clicking in most cases. They can reduce the amount of breast tissue the baby takes in, which may make the latch even shallower. If you use a shield, work with a lactation consultant to wean off it as soon as the underlying latch issue improves.

There are also products marketed as “latch aids” or “feeding trainers.” The evidence for these tools is limited. They may help in specific situations, but they do not replace good positioning and a proper latch assessment. Save your money until you have had a professional evaluate the feed.

When Should You See a Lactation Consultant?

Clicking alone does not always require professional help. Many babies click occasionally and still feed well, gain weight, and leave their mothers comfortable. If the clicking is occasional and no one is in pain, you may simply continue with good positioning and see if it resolves on its own.

Seek help if the clicking is constant, if you have nipple pain, or if your baby seems unsatisfied after feeds. Also seek help if your baby is not gaining weight well or has fewer wet diapers than expected. These signs suggest the baby is not transferring milk efficiently, which is a more serious concern than the sound alone.

A lactation consultant can watch a full feed and identify exactly where the latch is breaking. They can also assess for tongue-tie, lip-tie, or other oral restrictions that may be contributing. Many hospitals offer outpatient lactation clinics, and many consultants make home visits. Your pediatrician’s office can often recommend someone local.

Expect the consultant to watch a feed, check your baby’s mouth, and review your positioning. They may suggest specific holds, such as the laid-back position or the football hold, depending on your baby’s needs. They should also weigh your baby before and after a feed to measure milk transfer, which gives clear data on whether the baby is eating enough.

Can Breast Compression Help With Clicking?

Breast compression is a technique where you gently squeeze your breast during a feed to encourage milk flow. It can help in specific situations, especially when a baby has a weak or disorganized suck. The compression keeps milk flowing, which may reduce the baby’s urge to pull off and re-latch, a common trigger for clicking.

To use breast compression, hold your breast with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other, well back from the areola. When your baby pauses between sucks, gently compress and hold. Release when the baby starts swallowing again. This mimics the natural milk ejection reflex and can keep the baby actively feeding.

Breast compression does not fix the underlying latch issue. It is a supportive technique, not a cure. If the clicking is caused by a shallow latch or tongue restriction, compression alone will not stop the sound. Use it as one tool in a broader approach that includes positioning changes and professional assessment if needed.

Does the Clicking Harm My Baby?

Clicking itself is not harmful to your baby. The concern is what the clicking represents. A broken seal means the baby is taking in air, which can cause gas and discomfort. It also means the feed may be less efficient, which can impact weight gain if it happens consistently.

For you, the mother, clicking can be a warning sign of nipple damage. When the baby repeatedly breaks the seal and re-latches, the nipple is subjected to friction and pressure. This can lead to cracks, pain, and even infection in severe cases. If your nipples are sore or damaged, addressing the clicking matters for your comfort and health.

In most cases, clicking is a fixable problem. With attention to positioning, latch depth, and professional support when needed, most babies learn to feed quietly and comfortably. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, or if the clicking is accompanied by pain or poor weight gain, get help rather than waiting for it to resolve on its own.