Feeding a baby is a special bonding time, but it should not come with stress or worry. If something feels off to you as a parent or caregiver, your concern is valid. All too often, well-meaning providers might say “they’ll grow out of it” and dismiss a parent’s worries. We disagree.
Every parent knows their child best. When issues like frequent choking, milk leaking during feeds, or persistent fussiness at mealtime come up, it’s time to pay attention. At our Center for Orofacial Myology, we believe no parent should face feeding issues alone. Your concerns are important and valid.
If your baby has trouble nursing or bottle feeding, the signs can be subtle. A baby who falls asleep quickly at the breast or bottle might actually be tiring from a poor latch. Clicking noises while feeding often mean the baby’s mouth isn’t sealed properly. Extended feeding sessions (very long feeds) or very short ones (baby tires after only a few sucks) can both point to difficulty. In these cases, your baby might not be getting enough nutrition, even if they seem to eat frequently. It’s important to focus on the process of feeding — the latch, suck, swallow, and comfort — not just numbers on a growth chart.
Common Infant Feeding and Breastfeeding Challenges
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Latching difficulties: A baby who can’t form a deep latch on the breast or falls off the nipple frequently may have oral restrictions (like tongue-tie) or other latch issues. This can cause low milk transfer, nipple pain for the parent, and frustration for baby.
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Falling asleep or refusing to feed: If your baby seems sleepy and uninterested at the breast or bottle, they may be struggling with the effort of sucking and get tired quickly. As a result, they may not finish their feeds or may pull off repeatedly.
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Clicking or smacking noises: When a baby makes clicking sounds while nursing or bottle feeding, it usually means air is leaking in around the nipple. This often comes from a weak latch or a shallow positioning of the breast in the mouth.
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Coughing, choking, or spitting up: Frequent coughing or choking during feeds, or milk dribbling out of the mouth, can indicate difficulty coordinating swallowing and breathing, or acid reflux. It might also point to a palate issue that allows fluid to escape.
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Wet, gurgly, or noisy swallowing sounds: Snorts, gurgles, or wet breathing after swallowing may mean milk is pooling in the throat or the baby is swallowing air. This can happen if the swallow is uncoordinated or if reflux is present.
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Arching back or crying: A baby who frequently arches their back, stiffens, or cries while feeding may be experiencing pain or discomfort (such as from reflux or gas). This behavior can signal that feeding is not comfortable.
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Very long or very short feeding times: Infants should generally have calm, predictable feeds. Meals that routinely take far longer than 20–30 minutes, or ones that end within just a minute or two, suggest inefficient sucking or coordination problems.
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Difficulty gaining weight: Slow weight gain or failure to thrive can result from feeding difficulties. Conversely, forcing extra feedings or increasing flow might cause spitting up, vomiting, or discomfort. Either way, if your baby isn’t growing as expected, consider whether feeding mechanics play a role.
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Problems with transition to solids: When it’s time for purees and soft solids, some infants struggle with the new textures. Difficulty moving pureed food from the front to the back of the tongue, gagging on purees, or refusing to swallow baby foods may indicate oral-motor delays or sensory sensitivity.
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Chewing and swallowing solid foods: Toddlers who pocket food in their cheeks, choke or vomit at meals, or take an excessively long time to eat may have ongoing feeding or sensory issues.
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Limited diet or picky eating: An infant or toddler who only accepts a few foods or textures (for example, only smooth purees and no finger foods, or only crunchy foods) might be avoiding others due to past discomfort or oral-sensory issues.
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Difficulty drinking from a cup or straw: Struggling to transition from a bottle to a sippy cup or open cup can indicate that your child hasn’t yet developed the tongue and lip skills needed for cup drinking.
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Exhaustion during feeds: If feeding leaves your baby lethargic or they fall deeply asleep quickly, they may not have had a full, satisfying meal.
If you notice one or more of these challenges regularly happening during feeds, it’s a good idea to seek a professional evaluation.
When to Seek a Feeding Evaluation
Trust your instincts. You know your baby is not programmed to fail at feeding, so persistent problems deserve attention. A baby might be gaining weight on the growth chart but still struggling at feeding. Adequate weight gain alone does not guarantee everything is fine. We often see parents who were told “they’re growing, so it’s fine,” only to find that feeding was stressful and difficult behind the scenes. Instead of focusing solely on numbers, we look at how your baby feels during and after feeds.
Your baby’s comfort and safety are most important. If feeding causes anxiety, screaming, or exhaustion for either child or parent, take notice. It’s better to schedule a feeding evaluation early than to wait for the problem to worsen. During the evaluation, our specialists will look closely at how your baby is latching, sucking, and swallowing. We examine oral anatomy (like the tongue, lips, and palate), observe positioning, and assess breathing during feeds. We also consider factors like reflux or allergies that might be affecting feeding.
Feeding issues can have many causes – from a minor tongue-tie or lip-tie, to acid reflux, to oral muscle weakness. At our center, our infant feeding specialists – including occupational and speech therapists trained in feeding, as well as our IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) – work together to pinpoint the cause. This team approach means we consider every angle so that your baby can feed safely and efficiently.
How We Can Help
Early feeding issues often respond very well to targeted therapy and support. Our lactation consultant, Katrina Gallafent, IBCLC, is an expert in breastfeeding challenges. She can observe a nursing session, check your baby’s latch, and identify any issues with milk transfer. Katrina can also suggest changes in positioning or technique, evaluate for a potential low milk supply, and help manage any nipple pain or discomfort.
If bottle feeding is the challenge, our therapists can evaluate flow rates and recommend the right bottle and nipple design for your baby’s sucking pattern. Sometimes a change of bottle shape or nipple vent can make a huge difference in how easily a baby drinks. We’ll guide you on pacing feeds to give your baby time to swallow and rest as needed.
As orofacial myology therapists, we focus on the muscles of the mouth, face, and neck that affect feeding. For example, if a baby has a tongue-tie or lip-tie, we work with their pediatrician or dentist to assess it. If a release procedure (frenotomy) is recommended, we provide supportive therapy afterward to ensure optimal healing and function. If your baby’s tongue rests down instead of up, we teach gentle exercises to help lift and cup the tongue for more efficient swallowing. If lip tone is weak, we use age-appropriate strategies (like gentle facial massage or toys that encourage sucking or blowing) to build lip strength and improve feeding.
We also help with oral sensory concerns. Some babies are extremely sensitive and may gag or push away foods or nipples due to heightened reflexes. Our therapists use gentle techniques to gradually desensitize the mouth so feeding is less upsetting. Every exercise or strategy we use is explained to you, so you can continue the work at home.
Finally, we educate you, the parent. You’ll learn feeding techniques that comfort your baby and reduce stress. This might include proper baby positioning, pacing strategies, and burping methods for reflux. We guide you through normal feeding progressions—when to try new foods, how to introduce a sippy cup, and how to recognize hunger cues. We encourage you to be your child’s best advocate. If the first few months of feeding have been tough, it’s okay to seek help. You’re doing the right thing by looking for answers.
Contact Us for Expert Support
You don’t have to navigate feeding challenges alone. Our caring team is here to help you and your baby succeed. Every child deserves easy and happy mealtimes – and you deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing your baby is thriving.
Ready to get help? Call us at (208) 793-7006 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our lactation consultant, Katrina Gallafent, IBCLC. During this call, Katrina will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you on the next steps. Together, we can ensure your child feeds safely and comfortably.
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