Strange lip smacking behaviour - surely not teething already?

[Moulesfrites]

My ds is 6 weeks old. In the last week or so he has started smacking his lips, making funny kissing/tutting noises. He does this both on and off the breast, but when he does it when he is feeding it really hurts, and seems to make feeding take longer and be less efficient as I have to get him back on properly again. The hv told me he looks like he could be an early teether - but surely 6 weeks is way too early!! Does anyone have any advice - what could it be and what do I do when he does it on the breast? Thanks

Babies do this sometimes. He will stop doing it soon. It's just him exploring texture and feeling. I have never heard of it being associated with teething. When he does it at the breast, just calmly take him off. He'll probably have stopped it totally in a few days.

Thank tiktok , yet again you have reassured me!

i was told this could be sign of oral thrush if his tongue is also coated white. i'd never heard of this, but unfortunately dd has it.

New one on me, too, LondonL, but if the issue persists, and continues to bother the OP, then it could be worth checking out.

Thrush is more white spots/patches though, and can be all round the mouth - not to be confused with a white milk coating on the tongue.