Baby Clicking While Nursing? Here’s What to Know

As a mom and lactation consultant, I know how worrying it can be when you hear unusual sounds while feeding your baby. One of the most common concerns is the clicking sound while breastfeeding. Many moms ask: “Is this normal? Does it mean my baby has a bad latch or tongue-tie?”

The truth is, clicking while breastfeeding can have multiple causes. Some adjustments can potentially be made to improve clicking, while others may need extra support from a lactation consultant.

Let’s break it down in a clear and mom-friendly way.

A close-up of a baby breastfeeding, with eyes closed and one hand gently resting on the chest, capturing tenderness and intimacy. The image subtly hints at clicking while breastfeeding, highlighting a common feeding experience.

What Does Clicking While Breastfeeding Mean?

You might notice that your baby has adorable dimples in their cheeks while feeding, or you might be dealing with sore nipples. These things, whether they happen together or separately, could mean that your little one isn’t getting a deep latch. If you hear a “clicking” sound, it can be a sign that your baby has a high palate or that your milk supply has increased, making it harder for baby to manage the milk with larger swallows. Additionally, it can mean that your baby’s oral function is not where it needs to be and the baby is breaking the seal on your breast. Clicking does not always mean there is a tongue tie, however, sometimes that is part of the issue. To address clicking, we want to improve oral function and improve seal.

Causes of Clicking During Breastfeeding

1. Increase in Milk Supply & Engorgement

When your breasts are very full, they can become firm and difficult for your baby to latch onto properly—leading to slipping and that telltale clicking sound. In addition the baby is taking more milk into their mouth in large swallows which also contributes to clicking. Softening the breast through light hand expression or pumping can help improve latch and reduce clicking.

Try hand expressing or pumping a little milk before feeding to soften the breast and make it easier for baby to latch. This isn’t something you want to do repeatedly though as it will contribute to an oversupply so seek lactation support if you are constantly engorged.

2. Poor latch

If your baby isn’t taking in enough of the breast tissue, they may lose suction repeatedly.

Aim for a deep latch: baby’s mouth should be wide open, lips flanged outward, and more areola visible above the top lip than the bottom. See my post on the best breastfeeding latch trick.

3. Oral Anatomy: High palate + Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS) Tongue-Tie, Lip Tie, Buccal Ties, Retracted mandible (jaw)

Oral anatomy, specifically a combination of a high palate + tongue tie is the most common cause of clicking. I know a baby’s palate is high when my finger hooks up into it when practicing suck training. A tongue tie is when the tissue under the tongue is too tight, limiting movement. Babies with tongue-tie may struggle to stay latched, swallow efficiently, or transfer enough milk.

If you suspect tongue-tie, consult a lactation consultant for assessment. Sometimes clicking doesn’t resolve until baby’s ties are released and oral function improves. Other times, clicking will improve with latch and positional changes, it depends on many factors.

4. Poor oral muscle tone

Sometimes oral habilitation work is necessary to strengthen baby’s tongue and reduce tension in the mouth with other muscles. This alone can cause clicking. Very often when a baby is released, the clicking doesn’t improve until oral muscle tone is addressed.

5. Body Tension

Seeing a body worker (chiropractor, osteopath, craniosacral therapist) if your baby is clicking will be important as tension in the baby (neck, hips, jaw) can affect breastfeeding mechanics and latching.

A newborn baby in a yellow and white outfit is breastfeeding, eyes closed and hand resting gently on the person’s chest. Clicking while breastfeeding may be noticed as the baby lies on a soft surface with a light blue blanket nearby.

Why Does Clicking Happen, and What Can Be Done About It?

If you hear a clicking sound while breastfeeding, it usually means that your baby is losing suction at the breast. Suction is important for your baby to draw milk effectively and comfortably. A poor latch, high palate, tongue-tie, muscle tension, or even something as simple as a very full breast (engorgement) can cause this sound.

The clicking happens when the tongue loses suction from the palate as your baby tries to stay latched, almost like a little squeak or pop.

💡 What to do:

Check positioning and latch: Make sure baby’s head is extended, their mouth is nice and wide, their hands are around your breast instead of tucked under, with lips flanged outward and most of the areola in their mouth—not just the nipple. I once had a client who was told to re-latch her baby each time he clicked and and this led to disarray, poor feedings and a struggle for mom’s mental health so please DO NOT re-latch each time. Try to re-latch one or two times and move on with the feeding and if you’re struggling, seek support for help.
Assess for oral restrictions: If clicking continues despite good positioning, ask a lactation consultant to assess for tongue-tie or lip tie and complete a full feeding assessment.
Relieve engorgement first: If your breasts are very full or milk supply has increased, hand express or pump a little before latching your baby. But chat with a lactation consultant if this issues continues.

Clicking is a signal that your baby may need extra support with feeding. The good news is that with adjustments—or help from a lactation consultant—it can usually be improved and corrected.

Two babies with closed eyes rest their heads closely together while breastfeeding, each holding onto the mother’s skin. Both appear calm and peaceful, showing no signs of clicking while breastfeeding. A blue play mat with purple spots is in the background.

❓FAQs About Clicking While Breastfeeding

How to correct clicking noise while breastfeeding?

If your baby makes a clicking noise while breastfeeding, it usually means they are losing suction from the breast. To correct it, focus on helping your baby achieve a deeper latch by getting baby to open wider before latching or utilizing a laidback or koala position -these positions can help them open wider. Feeding in a more upright position can also help if you have a fast letdown. If clicking continues, consult a lactation consultant to assess for tongue-tie or other oral issues.

how to fix clicking while breastfeeding

Improve latch depth, experiment with nursing positions, reduce fast milk flow if needed, pause and relatch when necessary, and burp baby regularly. Persistent issues may warrant professional consultation to assess for TOTs, high palate and improve muscle tension and function.

How do I stop my baby from clicking while breastfeeding?

Focus on achieving a deep, effective latch, adjust feeding positions, manage milk flow, and ensure suction is maintained. If clicking continues, reach out to a lactation consultant for support.

Does It Really Matter If Baby Clicks While Feeding?

Clicking isn’t an emergency situation, however if it’s consistent and happening the whole feeding and you can’t improve it with latch/positional changes and you think it’s causing problems for your baby, then it’s time to seek support.

Does Clicking Sound Mean a Good Latch?

No, a click doesn’t signal a good latch—in fact, it may suggest the opposite. The clicking noise occurs when the vacuum seal in your baby’s mouth is broken and the nipple slips, indicating that suction isn’t maintained.

Signs of a good latch instead include:

No clicking or dimpling in the cheeks
Baby swallowing regularly
Nipples remaining intact post-feed (no pain or flattening)

Does clicking mean tongue-tie?

Not always. A clicking sound during breastfeeding happens when your baby loses suction at the breast—but it doesn’t automatically mean your baby has a tongue-tie. While tongue-tie can reduce tongue movement and make it harder for babies to maintain a strong latch, clicking can also be caused by shallow latch issues, muscle tension, or a high palate.

A functional assessment is best to determine if tongue-tie is the cause, look for these signs:

Difficulty lifting the tongue to the upper gums or moving it from side to side
Trouble sticking the tongue past the lower front teeth
A tongue that looks notched or heart-shaped when stuck out
Milk tongue
Nipple pain

If you notice these signs—especially along with feeding difficulties or clicking—it’s a good idea to consult your pediatrician or a lactation consultant for an evaluation.

Clicking during breastfeeding is usually a sign of latch or suction issues—sometimes from engorgement, positioning, or tongue/lip ties. Small adjustments often help, but if pain, poor weight gain, or frustration continue, reach out to a lactation consultant or pediatrician. The most important thing to remember is that breastfeeding should not be painful—you and your baby deserve a comfortable, nourishing experience.
– BETH FERGUSON, RD

A newborn baby in a white onesie is breastfeeding while lying on a woman's lap, who is wearing black pants and a blue shirt. A brown towel and a remote control are nearby, with the baby making clicking sounds while breastfeeding.

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