Most breastfeeding parents notice it before they know what it means: a soft, rhythmic clicking sound during a feed.
It is easy to dismiss as one of the many small noises babies make.
But the click is actually one of the most reliable signals that something about the latch needs attention.
Catching and addressing the click early can prevent a cascade of feeding problems – poor weight gain, sore nipples, reduced milk supply, and frustration on both sides.
Here is what the click is telling you and how to fix it.
What the Clicking Sound Actually Is
A click during breastfeeding is the sound of the suction seal between your baby’s mouth and the breast briefly breaking, letting in a small amount of air.
Each time the seal breaks and reforms, air enters and a click is produced.
This is different from the soft gulping or swallowing sounds that healthy feeding produces, and different from the lip-smacking some babies do during letdown.
A click is a sharp, distinct sound and usually repeats rhythmically through the feed.
When the seal is broken repeatedly, several problems follow:
- The baby cannot sustain the negative pressure needed to extract milk efficiently
- Air enters the stomach along with the milk, leading to gas and discomfort
- The latch is usually shallow, which can cause nipple pain and damage
- Milk transfer is reduced, which can affect both intake and supply
The Most Common Causes of Clicking
Shallow Latch
By far the most common cause. A good latch requires the baby to take in a wide mouthful of breast – not just the nipple, but a significant portion of the surrounding areola, particularly underneath.
A shallow latch (just the nipple in the mouth, or only a small amount of areola) cannot maintain a seal during active sucking, and the seal breaks repeatedly.
Tongue Tie or Lip Tie
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) and lip tie are conditions where the connective tissue under the tongue or upper lip is too tight or short, restricting movement.
A baby with a tongue tie often cannot extend the tongue forward over the lower gum line, which is necessary for an effective seal and milk extraction.
Clicking is one of the most common symptoms.
Other signs that may point toward a tongue tie include nipple pain that does not resolve with positioning adjustments, slow weight gain despite frequent feeds, and a baby who slips off the breast repeatedly during feeds.
Overactive Letdown
Some parents have a forceful letdown – milk sprays into the baby’s mouth faster than they can comfortably swallow.
The baby may break the seal repeatedly as a way of slowing or controlling the flow.
The clicks in this case tend to cluster around the letdown reflex (typically 30 to 60 seconds into a feed) rather than continuing throughout.
Distracted or Drowsy Feeding
Older babies – particularly past 4 months – sometimes click during feeds because they are looking around, falling asleep, or losing interest.
This is usually less concerning than newborn clicking but can still affect milk transfer over time.
For more on supporting healthy breastfeeding patterns, see our baby feeding section.
How to Fix the Latch and Stop the Clicking
Check the Mouth Position
A deep, well-positioned latch involves:
- Mouth wide open, like a yawn, before the baby is brought to the breast
- Lips flanged outward, not tucked in
- Chin pressed into the breast
- More areola visible above the upper lip than below the lower lip
- Cheeks rounded, not dimpled inward
If any of these are missing, the latch is shallow.
Break the seal gently with a clean finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth, and re-latch with attention to a wide mouth opening.
Use the Nipple-to-Nose Technique
Position the nipple in line with the baby’s nose, not their mouth.
This encourages them to tilt their head back slightly and open wide, leading to a deeper latch with the nipple aimed toward the roof of the mouth where the soft palate is.
Try Laid-Back Nursing for Overactive Letdown
If forceful letdown is causing the clicking, the laid-back or biological nurturing position lets the baby work against gravity rather than with it, slowing the milk flow.
This often resolves clicking during the letdown phase.
Adjust the Side-Hold for Better Support
Some clicking is positional. The cross-cradle hold often gives more control over the baby’s head and shoulder position, leading to a better seal.
The football or rugby hold can also help, particularly for smaller babies or those who keep slipping off.
When to See a Lactation Consultant
If clicking persists after you have adjusted the latch carefully, a lactation consultant (ideally an IBCLC – International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is the right next step. They can:
- Watch a full feed and identify subtle issues in latch, positioning, or suck pattern
- Examine your baby’s mouth for tongue tie, lip tie, or other anatomical issues
- Assess milk transfer with pre- and post-feed weighing
- Provide targeted exercises if oral function is the issue
The La Leche League is one resource for finding qualified support, and many countries have national lactation consultant directories. Early intervention is much easier than late intervention – a couple of consultations in the first few weeks can prevent months of difficulty.
Should I Have the Tongue Tie Released?
If a tongue tie is identified, the decision about whether to have it released (a procedure called a frenotomy) depends on several factors: how restrictive the tie is, how much it is affecting feeding, and the recommendation of qualified professionals.
The procedure is quick and most babies recover quickly, but it is also not always necessary.
Some mild tongue ties improve as the baby’s mouth grows. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends individualized assessment rather than routine release of all tongue ties.
Signs the Clicking Is Affecting Your Baby
Mild occasional clicking with otherwise healthy feeding and weight gain may be fine to monitor.
Persistent clicking deserves attention when accompanied by:
- Slow weight gain or weight loss after the first 2 weeks
- Very long feeds – over 45 minutes regularly
- Excessive fussiness during or after feeds
- Significant gas, spit-up, or apparent discomfort
- Sore, cracked, or damaged nipples on you
- Feeling that the baby is never really full
For more on what is normal in early feeding patterns, see our baby development and feeding guides.
Bottle-Fed Babies and Clicking
Bottle-fed babies can also click during feeds, usually because of a poor seal around the bottle teat or a flow rate that is too fast or too slow.
The fix is usually a different teat shape or flow level. Specialist bottles designed to mimic the breast (often labeled as anti-colic or naturally shaped) tend to produce fewer clicks than standard bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
My baby clicks but is gaining weight well. Should I still worry?
If weight gain is good and you have no nipple pain, occasional clicking may not need active intervention. But it is still worth checking the latch and watching for any changes.
How quickly should clicking stop after a latch correction?
Often immediately. If you reposition the baby with attention to a deep latch and the clicking stops, the problem was positional. If clicking continues despite latch correction, an underlying issue like tongue tie is more likely.
Can clicking damage my milk supply?
Over time, yes. Poor milk transfer reduces the demand signal to the breast and can cause supply to drift downward. Addressing the cause of clicking is one of the most protective things you can do for long-term supply.
The Bottom Line
A clicking sound during breastfeeding is the body’s way of telling you something about the latch is not quite right.
Most clicking resolves with latch adjustments.
Persistent clicking deserves a lactation consultant visit – early support is one of the best investments a breastfeeding family can make.
For more on early feeding, browse our baby feeding guides.
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