Gulping, clicking, or noisy feeding
A baby gulping air while feeding may sound clicky, lose suction, sputter, or seem to take in milk and air together.
Worried Your Baby Is Swallowing Air While Feeding?
If your baby gulps, clicks, gets fussy, or cries after feeding, swallowed air may be adding to gas and discomfort. Get clear, personalized guidance for what to watch for and what may help during breast or bottle feeds.
About 3–5 minutesPrivate assessmentNo long answers
About this assessment
Answer a few questions about feeding and what happens afterward
Tell us whether your baby gulps, seems gassy, cries after feeds, or has more than one of these signs, and we’ll guide you through possible reasons baby swallowing air while feeding may be contributing.
01
Why babies may swallow air while feeding
Some babies take in extra air during feeds when milk flow is too fast or too slow, the latch is shallow, the bottle nipple allows too much gulping, or they feed while crying. That extra air can build up in the stomach and lead to burping, squirming, fussiness, crying after feeding, or seeming uncomfortable soon after a meal. This can happen with both bottle-fed and breastfed babies, including newborns.
02
Common signs that air swallowing may be part of the problem
Gas and fussiness after feeds
A baby has gas from swallowing air while feeding may pull up legs, squirm, burp often, or seem unsettled shortly after eating.
Crying soon after feeding
If your baby is crying after feeding from air swallowed, discomfort may show up within minutes as arching, restlessness, or trouble settling.
03
What can contribute during breast or bottle feeding
Bottle feeding factors
A newborn swallowing air during bottle feeding may be dealing with a nipple flow that is too fast, too much foam in the bottle, or a bottle angle that lets air collect in the nipple.
Nursing factors
A breastfed baby swallowing air while nursing may have a shallow latch, frequent unlatching, strong letdown, or trouble staying deeply attached at the breast.
Feeding while upset or rushed
When babies start feeding very hungry or already crying, they may gulp more quickly and take in more air along with milk.
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Simple ways to help reduce swallowed air
Slow the pace of feeding
Pause for breaks, keep baby more upright, and watch for signs that the flow is overwhelming or too slow. These changes can help if you’re wondering how to stop baby swallowing air while feeding.
Improve latch or bottle setup
A deeper latch at the breast or a better-matched bottle nipple can reduce gulping and help baby feed more smoothly.
Burp strategically
Burping midway and after feeds may help move trapped air before it leads to more discomfort, especially if your baby is fussy after feeding from swallowing air.
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Frequently asked questions
Can swallowing air while feeding make my baby cry after feeding?
Yes. Baby swallowing air and crying after feeding can go together when extra air stretches the stomach and causes pressure, burping, or gas discomfort soon after a feed.
Is it normal for a newborn to swallow air during bottle feeding?
It can happen, especially in the newborn stage. A newborn swallowing air during bottle feeding may need a slower nipple, a more upright position, paced feeding, or a bottle setup that keeps the nipple filled with milk.
Can a breastfed baby swallow air while nursing?
Yes. A breastfed baby swallowing air while nursing may have a shallow latch, frequent slipping off the breast, or trouble managing milk flow. Small latch and positioning changes can make a big difference.
How do I know if my baby is fussy after feeding from swallowing air or something else?
Patterns help. If fussiness starts during or right after feeds and comes with gulping, clicking, burping, squirming, or gas, swallowed air may be contributing. An assessment can help sort through likely causes based on your baby’s feeding pattern.
What helps stop a baby from gulping air while feeding?
Helpful steps may include adjusting feeding position, slowing the pace, improving latch, checking bottle nipple flow, and burping during and after feeds. The best approach depends on whether the issue happens with nursing, bottle feeding, or both.
Personalized assessment
Get personalized guidance for feeding-related air swallowing
Answer a few questions about your baby’s feeding, gas, and crying after feeds to get an assessment tailored to signs of swallowed air and practical next steps you can try.