Why is my baby squirming when breastfeeding?

You expected breastfeeding to be a blissful experience with your newborn, but what is up with them squirming and grunting at the breast? Oftentimes, parents worry this is a sign that the baby is uncomfortable or that the baby doesn’t like breastfeeding. Let’s dig in to find out why babies do this and what you can do to help!

Gas: The Not-So-Silent Culprit

If your baby is nursing fine and then suddenly starts to squirm, arch, or unlatch, gas is often the sneaky reason why.

As babies feed, they sometimes swallow air—especially if they’re gulping due to a fast letdown or shallow latch. That trapped air causes tummy pressure, and squirming is often their way of saying, “Uh, I need to burp!”

What can help:

• Lift baby off the breast and try to burp them mid-feed.
• Use bicycle kicks or a gentle tummy massage to help move gas bubbles along.
• Visit a pediatric chiropractor if your baby seems especially gassy or uncomfortable.

Do I need to burp a breastfed baby?

First, you may have heard that you don’t need a burp a breastfed baby and this is NOT true. Especially if you have a strong letdown and your baby is gulping at the breast - they are likely swallowing some air. This can increase pressure in their tummy and squirming may be their way of telling you, “I need help to get this air bubble out.”Do Breastfed Babies Need to Be Burped?

If you’ve got a strong letdown or your baby is latching in a less-than-ideal position, they’re almost certainly swallowing some air. And what goes in must come out. Burping helps release trapped air and can dramatically reduce fussiness at the breast.

How to burp a breastfed baby

What I have found works well for most babies is making sure we help them stretch/extend their esophagus, which is the tube that connects their mouths and stomachs. Making this tube long and lifted will help the air bubble and burp travel up and escape. 

1. Sit your baby up 
2. Lean your baby forward cradling their chin/neck in the hand between your thumb and pointer finger. 
3. Hook your pinky under their armpit to give you some leverage and stretch their neck up.
4. Pat their back with your opposite hand, (probably more firmly than you have been), as a nurse I have coached thousands of parents to burp their babies, and most of the time they are patty way too gently. Don’t hurt your baby, but don’t be afraid to give a slightly firm pat. You can also rub the back or lean your baby back and up to help the air bubble rise to the surface and release. 

Here is a quick demo of my favorite burping technique.

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How latching position impacts baby

Check out my free guide to latching, here.

Unlatching repeatedly, squirming at the breast, and grunting at the breast can be a sign that it is time to change position.  All humans need to feel stable in their body position when eating and babies are no different.  Focusing on offering baby, “positional stability,” when breastfeeding can reduce squirming and grunting at the breast. 

Here are some common latching problems

• Problem: Your baby feels unstable in their position. Their arms and legs are flailing around and arching their back OR they are tightly swaddled and unable to use their arms and hands at all.

• Fix: Stabilize their feet into your body or a pillow. Allow them to use their hands at the breast, while it may look uncoordinated in the beginning, this is one-way babies find their way to the breast.

• Problem: Baby is not fully connected to your body

• Fix: Pull the baby tightly against your body with no gaps.

• Problem: Gravity is working against you both…you are hunched over your baby and they are in a cradle position.

• Fix: Lean back….way back, think Netflix, and chill. If you removed your hands from your baby, they would still stay on your body. This helps them feel secure. Check out my blog with more latch tips, here.

• Problem: They are showing a head-turning preference from in-utero positioning that may make latching in this position more difficult OR it has them preferring one breast over the other

• Fix: shift baby over to the other breast in the same position that they are on the breast they are consistently latching to. Consider seeing a craniosacral therapist or chiropractor to address tension and help them use their full range of motion.

In Boob School,  I walk you through reclined breastfeeding step-by-step iwith video demos so you can actually see it in action. Or take a look at our latching guide

Is safe to feed a newborn in a reclining position?

YES, BIG YES! Reclined breastfeeding is like breastfeeding with training wheels. Giving your baby lots of positional stability will make latching SO MUCH EASIER. Here is a video of a sweet 10-day-old baby latching in a reclined position. This mama was having a ton of challenges, sore nipples, latching pain, mastitis, and engorgement. After joining Boob School, and learning about reclined breastfeeding, they were able to get things back on track and latch comfortably. 

Overactive let down aka fast let down

Overactive let-down, also known as a fast let-down, is a condition where the milk flows from the breast too quickly for the baby to effectively nurse. You may see the following signs if you have an overactive letdown….

• Choking or gagging at the breast: Your baby may have trouble swallowing the fast-flowing milk, leading to choking or gagging.
• Squirming or grunting: Your baby may squirm or wiggle at the breast as they try to cope with the fast flow of milk. 

Tips for navigating an overactive letdown

• Position: Try to nurse in a deeply laidback position…this allows gravity to help your baby manage your fast flow. Rule of thumb, the more laidback the better, think nearly flat on a bed or couch. Check out a blog with more tips, here.
• Nurse on one breast at a time: Nursing on one breast for a full feeding can help regulate the flow of milk and prevent the baby from becoming overstimulated. If your baby pulls off after a few minutes burp and offer the same side if it still feels like there is milk in the breast.  The first letdown tends to yield the most milk and be the most forceful. If you keep feeding from the same breast the letdowns should reduce in intensity as the feed progresses. 
• Pause and burp your baby: Pausing to burp your baby during feeding can help release excess air and prevent choking.
• Empty one breast before switching sides: Allowing your baby to fully empty one breast before switching sides can help regulate the flow of milk.

Here is a video of a mama I worked with who has a very strong letdown. We worked together to improve the baby's suck and ability to manage the letdown and also to recline deeply to help slow the flow of milk. 

When is it time to reach out for more help?

If your baby cannot maintain a latch for more than 5-6 good sucks before squirming, grunting, or getting frustrated it’s time to ask for help! Reach out to an IBCLC for support and contact your pediatric provider with any concerns. If you want to book an appointment with an IBCLC on our team, click here.

Even for the seasoned mama who has breastfed in the past, each new baby is a new breastfeeding relationship and it will take time for you both to get the best latch you can with each feeding session. 

There are many techniques that can be used to help you and your baby rock that latch, but the most important thing that I tell mamas over and over is to try your best to be patient and not feel overwhelmed at the moment. At times, hello 2 a.m. feeding from hell, this is easier said than done. It is okay to step away for a moment and leave your baby with another caregiver or safely in their crib if you need a reset. 

Remember your feeding journey may look less like a straight line and more like a winding road. Keep on keeping on, mama. You’ve got this! 

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

This isn’t just about technique. This is about YOU. Your peace. Your confidence. Your ability to enjoy your baby and feel good about how you feed them.

Inside Boob School, you’ll get:

• Instant access to short, practical video lessons
• Weekly live support calls with me
• A private community of other moms who get it
• Tools to troubleshoot latch, supply, pain, pumping—and more

Your feeding journey might look messy, nonlinear, or nothing like you pictured. That’s okay. I’ll be with you from first latch to last.

Want more support?
✨ Join Boob School for expert guidance and real-time help
📅 Book a 1:1 consult with our IBCLC team
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for babies to squirm while breastfeeding?
Yes! Babies often squirm due to gas, a strong letdown, or feeling unstable. These behaviors are common and usually improve with position changes and burping techniques.

When should I be concerned about my baby’s feeding behavior?
If your baby consistently cannot maintain a latch, is very fussy at the breast, or is not gaining weight appropriately, it’s time to reach out to an IBCLC or your pediatric provider.

Can breastfeeding in a reclined position really help?
Absolutely. Reclined breastfeeding can reduce nipple pain, help babies cope with fast letdown, and improve latching comfort for both of you.

Do breastfed babies need to be burped?
Yes. Especially if you have a fast letdown or baby swallows air, regular burping can relieve tummy pressure and reduce squirming or fussiness.

What if I’ve breastfed before—do I still need help?
Every baby is different. Even experienced moms need support adjusting to new challenges. It's never too late to get help!

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