“My baby burps constantly.”
“He’s so gassy after every feeding.”
“She seems uncomfortable all the time.”
If you’ve found yourself saying these things, you’re certainly not alone.
One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is that their baby seems to swallow an incredible amount of air while feeding.
Afterward, they’re fussy.
They arch their back.
They grunt.
They pass gas.
They hiccup.
They spit up.
Sometimes they seem uncomfortable for hours.
Many parents assume this is simply part of having a newborn.
Sometimes it is.
However, after evaluating thousands of babies with feeding difficulties, I’ve found that excessive air swallowing often happens because feeding isn’t as efficient as it should be.
One of the most common reasons I see for this is restricted tongue or lip movement caused by a tongue-tie or lip-tie.
The encouraging news is that when a lip or tongue-tie is truly contributing to the problem, treatment is often very rewarding. Parents frequently tell us their baby becomes noticeably less gassy, burps less often, feeds more calmly, and seems much more comfortable after eating.
Why Do Babies Swallow Air?
Every baby swallows a small amount of air during feeding.
That’s perfectly normal.
Problems begin when babies repeatedly lose suction while nursing or bottle feeding. In many cases, it’s because a lip tie or tongue tie affects bottle feeding.
Each time that seal breaks, air enters the mouth.
Instead of swallowing mostly milk, babies begin swallowing a mixture of milk and air.
Over the course of an entire feeding, that can become a surprising amount of air.
The result?
- Frequent burping
- Gas
- Hiccups
- Fussiness
- Spitting up
- Babies who seem uncomfortable after nearly every feeding
Why Does My Baby Keep Losing Suction?
One of the most common reasons babies lose suction is restricted tongue movement.
The tongue plays a critical role in creating and maintaining suction throughout a feeding.
When tongue movement is limited, babies often compensate by repeatedly breaking and re-establishing their latch.
Every time that happens, they swallow more air.
One of the most common things parents tell me is:
“I can actually hear it.”
Sometimes it’s a clicking sound.
Other times they describe gulping or noisy swallowing.
Those sounds often tell me that feeding isn’t as efficient as it should be.
“Everyone Says the Gas Is Normal…”
Another sentence I hear almost every day is:
“Everyone keeps telling me babies are just gassy.”
And yes…
Some gas is completely normal.
But babies shouldn’t have to struggle through every feeding.
If your baby is swallowing excessive air because feeding mechanics aren’t working properly, simply waiting for them to “grow out of it” may not solve the underlying problem.
After evaluating thousands of babies with feeding difficulties, I’ve found that lip- and tongue-ties are one of the most commonly overlooked reasons babies swallow excessive air during feeding.
Not every gassy baby has a lip or tongue-tie.
But it’s one of the first things I think about when I hear a combination of symptoms like:
- Clicking during feeding
- Frequent burping
- Long feeding sessions
- Babies who always seem hungry
- Significant gas after eating
- Milk leaking from the corners of the mouth
- Ongoing nipple pain
When these symptoms occur together, they often point toward inefficient milk transfer rather than simply “a gassy baby.”
Concerned About Your Baby’s Feeding?
Gas, clicking, or air swallowing during feeds? It could be tongue-tie or lip-tie.
Gas Is Often Only Part of the Story
Parents often come to our office thinking they’re only dealing with gas.
As we talk, they begin mentioning other symptoms:
“He clicks while nursing.”
“She feeds for almost an hour.”
“He’s always hungry again.”
“Breastfeeding hurts.”
That’s when the bigger picture begins to come into focus.
The gas isn’t the entire problem.
It’s often just one symptom of inefficient feeding.
If you’ve noticed clicking during feedings, you may also enjoy reading Why Does My Baby Click While Breastfeeding?. If your baby always seems hungry despite frequent feedings, our article Why Is My Baby Always Hungry? It May Not Be Low Milk Supply explains how poor milk transfer can leave babies wanting to feed again soon after eating.
Does this sound familiar?
If your baby seems unusually gassy after nearly every feeding, don’t assume you simply have to wait for them to outgrow it. Many of the families we see have already been reassured that everything is normal before coming to our office. A comprehensive functional feeding evaluation often provides the answers they’ve been searching for.
We regularly welcome families from across the United States and around the world who are looking for experienced tongue-tie evaluations and feeding support.
It’s Not Always a Tongue-Tie But It’s Often Worth Evaluating
Not every baby who swallows excessive air has a tongue-tie.
Some babies struggle with feeding because of:
- Prematurity
- A fast or forceful milk letdown
- Low milk supply
- Torticollis
- Body tension
- Oral motor difficulties
- Neurologic conditions
- Other feeding disorders
However, after evaluating thousands of babies with feeding difficulties, I’ve found that tongue-ties are one of the most commonly overlooked reasons babies swallow excessive air while feeding.
The goal isn’t to recommend a procedure for every baby.
The goal is to understand why your baby is swallowing so much air and recommend the treatment that’s most likely to help.
Why Swallowing Air Can Lead to So Many Other Symptoms
Many parents think the air swallowing is the problem.
In reality, it’s often the beginning of a chain reaction.
When babies repeatedly lose suction, they swallow excess air.
That extra air can contribute to:
- Frequent burping
- Gas
- Hiccups
- Fussiness after feedings
- Spitting up
- Back arching
- Crying shortly after eating
- Babies who never seem completely comfortable
Some babies are even treated for reflux when swallowing excessive air is actually contributing to many of their symptoms.
While not every baby with reflux has a tongue-tie, I’ve found that improving feeding efficiency often reduces many of the symptoms parents thought were reflux.
Why We Look Beyond the Mouth
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that successful feeding involves much more than just the tongue.
That’s why we frequently work alongside:
- IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants)
- Pediatricians
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Chiropractors experienced in caring for infants
Every baby is different.
Some babies need feeding support.
Some need bodywork.
Some benefit from therapy.
Some need treatment for a tongue-tie.
Many benefit from a combination of these approaches.
Treating the whole baby – not just the tongue – often produces the best outcomes.
What Happens During a Feeding Evaluation?
One of the questions parents ask most often is:
“What makes your evaluation different?”
A comprehensive feeding evaluation looks far beyond simply checking for a visible tongue-tie.
We evaluate:
- Tongue mobility
- Tongue function
- Suction
- Milk transfer
- Oral coordination
- Feeding history
- The symptoms you’ve been seeing at home
Parents spend more time feeding their babies than anyone else.
Your observations matter.
In fact, they often provide some of the most important clues.
The Good News
One of the reasons I love caring for these babies is because the improvements can be remarkable.
When a tongue-tie is truly contributing to inefficient feeding, parents commonly tell us:
“He’s so much calmer after eating.”
“She’s not burping every five minutes anymore.”
“The gas is almost gone.”
“Feedings are finally enjoyable.”
“We’re all sleeping better.”
Watching families experience those changes is one of the most rewarding parts of my practice.
When Should You Schedule an Evaluation?
It may be time to schedule a comprehensive evaluation if your baby:
- Swallows excessive air during nearly every feeding
- Burps constantly
- Seems unusually gassy
- Hiccups after most feedings
- Clicks while nursing or bottle feeding
- Leaks milk from the corners of the mouth
- Feeds for a very long time
- Never seems completely satisfied
- Continues struggling despite excellent lactation support
One of the most common things parents tell me afterward is:
“I wish we had come sooner.”
Early answers often prevent weeks – or even months – of frustration.
You don’t have to keep wondering why your baby seems so uncomfortable after every feeding.
Many of the families we care for have already been told their baby’s gas is simply something they’ll outgrow. Sometimes that’s true – but sometimes there is an underlying feeding problem that can be addressed.
Whether you live nearby or are considering traveling to Birmingham, we welcome families from across the United States and around the world who are looking for answers.
Send us a message or call 205-419-4333 to schedule a consultation. We’d be honored to help your family.
FAQ’s
01. Is it normal for babies to swallow air while feeding?
Ans. Yes. Every baby swallows some air while feeding.
However, babies who repeatedly lose suction often swallow much more air than normal, which can contribute to gas, burping, fussiness, and spitting up.
02. Can a lip-tie or tongue-tie make my baby gassy?
Ans. Yes.
When lip or tongue movement is restricted, babies often lose suction repeatedly during feeding and swallow excessive air. This extra air can contribute to gas, burping, hiccups, and feeding discomfort.
03. My baby burps constantly. Is that normal?
Ans. Some babies naturally burp more than others.
However, frequent burping combined with clicking, long feedings, poor latch, nipple pain, or babies who never seem satisfied may suggest inefficient feeding.
04. Can swallowing air cause reflux symptoms?
Ans. Swallowing excessive air can contribute to symptoms that look very similar to reflux.
While not every reflux baby has a tongue-tie, improving feeding efficiency often helps reduce many of these symptoms.
05. Can bottle-fed babies swallow excessive air too?
Ans. Absolutely.
Although many parents notice this while breastfeeding, bottle-fed babies can also lose suction and swallow excessive air if tongue function is restricted.
Still looking for answers?
If feeding continues to feel harder than it should, trust your instincts. Many of the families we meet have spent weeks – or even months – trying to understand why their baby is so uncomfortable after feeding before finding us.
Send us a message or call 205-419-4333 to schedule a consultation. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help you determine whether a comprehensive feeding evaluation is the right next step.
Continue Reading
Parents who read this article often find these helpful as well:
- Why Does My Baby Click While Breastfeeding?
- Why Is My Baby Always Hungry? It May Not Be Low Milk Supply
- Could Your Baby’s Colic Be Caused by a Tongue-Tie?
- Lip-Tie in Babies: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
- Tongue-Tie Surgery for Infants in Alabama: Safety, Process & Recovery
- Speech Therapy for Toddlers After Tongue-Tie Surgery
Helping Your Baby Feed More Comfortably
Feeding shouldn’t leave your baby uncomfortable after every meal.
While some gas and burping are perfectly normal, excessive air swallowing often has an underlying reason. One of the most common – and most frequently overlooked – causes I see is restricted tongue function.
The encouraging news is that when a tongue-tie is contributing to these feeding challenges, treatment is often very rewarding. Seeing babies feed more comfortably and watching parents finally enjoy feeding their child is one of the greatest joys of my practice.
If your baby seems unusually gassy, burps constantly, or struggles through nearly every feeding, we’d love the opportunity to help you find answers.
Don’t Let Feeding Challenges Continue
