Why is My Baby So Squirmy While Nursing?

Nursing is an important part of the natural parenting journey, and as such, feeling some amount of squirming or agitation from your baby while breastfeeding can be normal. But what do you do if it feels like more than the normal fussing? In this post, we’ll dive into identifying the root cause of your baby’s squirming, as well as practical tips and strategies for addressing it.

What’s the Reason Behind the Squirming?

Your baby’s squirming may be coming from a number of different places:

• Hunger and/or impatience: Your baby may be squirming out of pure hunger or impatience. If your baby tends to squirm more as the meal progresses, this could be why.
• Comfort: Squirming can also be a sign that your baby isn’t comfortable. Consider whether they’re warm enough, if they have a full belly, or if your clothes or bra feel constricting.
• Nursing aversion: Nursing aversion is the feeling of distress, unease, anxiety, or avoidance that a baby has when nursing. It can be linked to a number of causes, from a medical issue to separation anxiety.
• Teething: Teething babies can become agitated more quickly during nursing because of the pain in their gums.
• Reflux: If your baby develops reflux—where they vomit or spit up often post-feeding—they’ll feel increasingly uncomfortable during.

What Can I Do To Reduce Squirming?

If your baby’s squirming is no longer manageable (or if the cause is medical-related), there are some actions that may help:

• Make sure your baby is well-fed: A full tummy often makes babies less eager to squirm. Try to feed your baby more frequently to keep them satisfied.
• Be aware of nursing aversion: If your baby only squirms after a specific incident, maybe you can prevent it from happening again in the future.
• Spend some time before feeding: Play with your baby, read them a story, or engage with them in your favorite activities before feeding. This should help prepare their body for the meal.
• Make sure baby is positioned well: A good latch is key to successful nursing. When feeding, make sure your baby’s body is facing you, their legs in a “C” position and their chin close to your chest.
• Keep baby in a calming environment: Feeding should occur in a soothing setting with no distractions.
• Check your baby’s mouth: Painful gums can induce squirming. Check your baby’s mouth to make sure their mouth is comfortable.

FAQ: Identifying the root cause of your baby’s squirming

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Conclusion:

Nursing is an important part of motherhood, but it can be difficult when babies squirm and fuss during the session. Although the cause of the squirming can be anything from hunger to medical-based, there are some practical steps you can take to alleviate it. The comfort and contentment of your baby should always be top of mind, so we hope these tips can assist when dealing with fussy nursers.