Hearing newborn crying during breastfeeding may be terrible, especially if you’re doing all possible to calm and nourish them. Many parents wonder why their baby is agitated during feedings. The solution? It’s typically basic, manageable issues such as a difficult latch, milk flow, or even temperature discomfort.
This article will help you understand the most common causes of crying, and provide essential tips to make feeding more comfortable for both you and your baby. With minor adjustments and through the help of tool like a breastfeeding bottle warmer—you can transform stressful situations into more pleasant, bonding moments.
Common Reasons Newborns Cry at the Breast
Witnessing your newborn crying during breastfeeding sessions can be distressing when the cause remains unknown. Certain situations allow for the cause to be addressed through several modifications. Thus, here are some of the most common reasons why newborns cry out at the breast:
- Difficulty latching or staying latched – Your baby may struggle to establish a deep latch which causes frustration and fussiness.
- Fast or slow milk flow — too much milk can drown a baby, but it is also difficult when you have slow milk flow.
- Flatulence or belly discomfort — Consuming swallowed air during eating can cause discomfort for your infant.
- Unsatisfied or Hungry — If your new baby is still crying, it represents that he might be hungry and needs feeding immediately.
- Temperature or physical discomfort — Feeling too hot, cold, or in an awkward position can make it difficult for them to feed.
Is It a Latch Issue or Something Else?
If your newborn cries while breastfeeding, you might wonder if it’s a latch issue or something else. In this situation, your baby may become fussy and cry if they can’t get enough milk because of a poor latch.
However, latch problems aren’t often the primary cause in this. Sometimes, your baby might cry for some reasons. It could be milk flow is too fast or too slow, if they are uncomfortable in their posture, or if they have stomach pain from air they have swallowed.
Through observing carefully to their indications and adjusting, you can already determine what’s causing your baby to cry.
How Milk Flow Can Affect Your Baby’s Mood
Your baby’s mood during feeding may be impacted by how quickly or slowly your milk flows. Your infant may become agitated if the milk comes out quickly. They can begin to cough or withdraw from the breast. They may, however, become irritated, fussy, or even cry if the milk comes out too slowly.
Minimal changes can generally ease these reactions. You can try using a breastfeeding bottle warmer to keep extracted milk warm, pausing to allow your baby to rest, or holding them in a more comfortable position. During feedings, these tiny changes might help keep your infant relaxed and at ease.
Hunger vs. Comfort: Understanding the Difference
Your baby may cry during breastfeeding sessions but such behavior doesn’t always signify hunger. During feeding times babies seek a sense of warmth and security through physical closeness to their mothers. The act of feeding goes beyond nutritional support to deliver babies a profound sense of security and tranquility.
In fact, hunger cries tend to sound more pressing and louder. Your infant may be sucking their hands, rooting, or turning their head back and forth. These signals mean they need to eat soon and are looking for milk.
Comfort feeding takes place more slowly and calmly. During feeding, your infant may suck, take many pauses, or even fall asleep. You can therefore react as best you can if you know the difference between hunger and comfort indicators. To soothe your infant, you might give them milk or give them a cuddle.
Gas, Reflux, and Other Tummy Troubles
Sometimes, newborn crying during breastfeeding for reasons other than hunger. They may feel anxious due to their small stomach. Feeding might be difficult if you have digestive issues including reflux, gas, or other issues.
During feeding sessions infants unintentionally ingest air which builds internal pressure leading to their agitation. Because milk may run back up after a feed, reflux can also be uncomfortable. Spitting up, being agitated, and sobbing can ensue from this, leaving you unsure of how to help.
Try to burp your infant during and after feedings to help with these stomach problems and to make feeding more fun. While feeding, make sure they are comfortable and hold them up for a little period of time.
Overstimulation and Fussiness During Feeds
If your newborn cries during breastfeeding, they may be feeling overstimulated. This may occur when:
- Babies find it difficult to remain composed and at ease in bright lights.
- When noises are too loud which diverts their attention.
- An excess of people moving around causes them to experience discomfort
- Strong odors from food and perfume cause them to become irritated.
- They experience heightened anxiety when faced with excessive environmental alterations.
You can attempt on doing the following if your baby gets fussy when being fed:
- Find a feeding setting with minimal noise and peace to enhance their sense of security.
- Reduce a background noise and distractions.
- Create an environment of peace and reassurance during feeding sessions.
- Maintaining a regular feeding schedule to help your infant relax.
When to Worry and Call Your Pediatrician
While it’s common for your newborn to cry during breastfeeding, there are instances when it’s best to consult your pediatrician. Give your doctor a call if you observe:
- Not feeding at all or feeding significantly less than normal.
- Weeping continuously over extended periods of time and failing to stop.
- Not gaining weight as anticipated or losing weight.
- Dehydration symptoms include dry mouth or fewer wet diapers.
- Breathing difficulties, frequent vomiting, or a high fever.
- Any unexpected and unusual symptoms makes you worry too much.
Feeding can be made more comfortable with a peaceful environment and small positional adjustments. Above all, the best safe action is to consult your baby’s doctor if you are unsure.
Tips to Calm Your Baby and Make Nursing Easier
When your baby is relaxed and at ease, feeding might proceed easier. These following simple tips will make breastfeeding easier:
- Find a peaceful and comforting area. You can help your baby relax and minimize distractions.
- Maintain closeness to your baby during feeding sessions to provide reassurance and warmth.
- Try with different feeding positions to determine which one works best for both of you.
- Perform gentle burping techniques for your infant during and after feedings to prevent stomach discomfort.
- Before your baby becomes too agitated, start feeding them by keeping an eye out for early hunger cues.
You can also use a breastfeeding bottle warmer from Momcozy to maintain the proper temperature for expressed milk, which will make feeding more comfortable!
Conclusion
Newborn crying during breastfeeding is usually a normal thing and typically manageable. You just have to combine with a little patience and adjustment. You can make breastfeeding less stressful by determining why your baby is crying throughout the process of breastfeeding. It can be latch issues, milk flow, or comfort.
Utilizing tools like a breastfeeding bottle warmer can help maintain the proper temperature of milk. With time and proper care, you and your baby will find a perfect feeding routing that works well for both of you. Take note, a calm environment can help your baby feed better and stay relaxed!
