What is this clicking sound?

[2MumsAreBetterThan1]

My daughter is 6 Weeks old and EBF after a tricky start.

She has been doing great, feeding well and gaining weight.

The last week she has started making a clicking noise with her mouth while feeding, like the same noise if an adult clicks their tongue.

I thought nothing of it as first but I'm starting to get sore now, thought it was a bad latch but BF support says latch is perfect.

The last day or two its hurting when she clicks and an now wondering if it's related as I started to get sure around the same time the clicking started.

She seems to still be feeding fine, getting plenty of milk etc. so why is it now hurting?

A clicking sound is the suction breaking. If it's sore and she's clicking then I would guess that the latch is not OK.

Here is some info on possible causes of clicking, do any of those ring a bell?

Clicking can indicate a difficulty with attachment - and pain at the same time is not good news, either.

Sometimes babies who are somewhat overwhelmed by an over-generous supply/let down can try to stem the tide by clicking - it reduces the seal of the mouth on the nipple

How confident are you in your bf support person?

The support lady is great but she hasn't witnessed the clicking as last time I saw her she watched baby latch on but then had to rush off to a group.

Is it possible for baby to start a feed with a good latch and then lose it and if do how do I fix that?

The clicking starts after 10 mins or so, she is fine at first so don't think it's a fast let down causing it.

Going to check out the link now. X

My DD is nearly 6 months now but she did this from birth. What tiktok said is very interesting, I have a fierce let down and she was getting very overwhelmed by the amount of milk she was getting, in fact occassionally she still does!

She is my 3rd DC and I felt confident with the latch but I couldn't figure out why she did it. Someone also said it might because my nipple is quite big and her mouth was only small! Needless to say she doesn't click anymore so your lo may well grow out of it too.

From reading the possible causes I would say it's either a poor latch or thrush? Does thrush have any viable signs, how would I know if me or baby have it?

I keep thinking it's got to be the latch but BF support said it's fine and she seems to be latching same as always whereas this is a new problem.

She does dribble a lot if milk while feeding so maybe it's too much for her to keep up with, although I would have thought this would be more of an issue at the start of a feed if so.

This is also my third but the first 2 were FF. She was born 6 Weeks early and so is only tiny and I do have large nipples so maybe that's it, but why would it start now.

She was syringe fed for the first 2 Weeks but we have had 3 Weeks of painfree feeding before this started.

Has anyone mentioned tongue tie to you? Does any of this sound familiar?

It's started now possibly because only now are you really getting into overdrive with milk production :)

Oooh the tongue tie symptons sound JUST like her, except the weight gain that is as she is gaining weight well.

We have put it down to other things though.

She really struggled to latch and feed at first but we thought this was due to her being early and syringe fed at first.

She falls asleep during feeds and feeds very often but again thought this was due to her being so small and she had issues with low blood sugar.

She has been diagnosed with reflux and is on gaviscon but it makes no difference so far, now it seems that the wind, fussing, poor sleeping etc. could be something else.

Who do I contact about checking for tongue tie?
It looks fine to me but I don't really know anything about it.

Also if it is oversupply causing her to unattach is there any way of stopping that?

Sorry for so many questions etc. I really am clueless and desperate not to quit but it's bloody hurting and making it hard to not stop at the minute.

I think an ibclc lactation consultant will be your best bet. Lots of people (including some bf consellors) will say they have checked for one by looking but you need someone who knows how to actually feel for one as some (especially posterior ties) can be hard to spot. Also Milk matters have this service. Hope I'm not leading you down the wrong path -I'm certainly no expert! :)