Baby Crying During Feeding? Here's What It Could Mean

Written by Bryanna Schwarting, MS, CCC SLP, CLP, Speech Language Pathologist, Feeding and Swallowing Specialist, and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist at The Mouth Rehab · Updated October 2026

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This article explains what a baby crying during feeding may be trying to tell you, the most common reasons feeds become stressful, and when it is worth asking for a feeding evaluation.

Feeding your newborn isn't always picture perfect.

There may be milk dribbles, sleepy feeds, frequent breaks, and plenty of figuring things out together. But if your baby is consistently crying, arching, pulling away, or becoming frustrated during feeds, you may be wondering:

Is this normal… or is my baby trying to tell me something?

Sometimes feeding behaviors are normal, and sometimes they are clues.

A baby crying during feeding doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. More often than not, it's a form of communication. But when feeding repeatedly feels stressful or uncomfortable, it's worth asking why.

Because feeding isn't just about getting ounces in.

It's about how comfortably and efficiently your baby can suck, swallow, breathe, and coordinate their little mouth and body throughout the feed.

When Is Baby Crying During Feeding Normal?

Every baby fusses at the breast or bottle sometimes. A one off crying feed is usually not a pattern. A few everyday reasons a newborn cries while feeding:

• They're very hungry. A frantic baby may cry before they settle into a rhythm, or while waiting for letdown to start.
• They need a burp. A pause to burp can turn a crying feed back into a calm one.
• They want the other side, or the flow has slowed and they're ready to switch.
• They're overtired or overstimulated. Bright rooms, noise, and new faces can make feeds harder.
• They're in a growth spurt and want to feed more often than usual.

What matters most is the pattern. If the crying happens at most feeds, or comes with the signs below, that's when it's worth looking closer.

Why Does My Baby Cry During Feeding?

There isn't one answer. Your baby may be hungry and want to eat, but something about the feeding experience may be making it difficult to continue comfortably.

Here are a few things we look at:

1. The Milk May Be Coming Too Fast

Sometimes babies aren't refusing to eat, they're trying to keep up.

Whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding, milk can flow faster than your baby can comfortably coordinate.

You may notice:

• Gulping, coughing, or choking
• Clicking or leaking milk
• Wide eyes or a stressed expression
• Frequently pulling away
• Crying when trying to return to the feed

With bottle feeding, a faster flow nipple isn't necessarily better. Some babies benefit from a slower flow or additional pacing so they have enough time to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing (Colorado WIC).

For breastfeeding babies, a strong or fast letdown can create similar challenges (KellyMom).

2. Your Baby May Be Taking In Too Much Air

Click. Gulp. Pull off. Cry. Relatch. Repeat.

Sound familiar?

When a baby has difficulty maintaining a consistent seal or suction around the breast or bottle, they may take in additional air.

This may look like frequent burping, hiccups, gassiness, clicking, leaking milk, increased spit up, or fussiness during and after feeds.

The next question becomes:

Why is your baby losing their seal?

Sometimes it's related to positioning, nipple flow, or feeding technique. Other times, we need to look more closely at how the tongue, lips, and jaw are working together (and separately) during feeding.

3. Reflux or Tummy Discomfort May Be Playing a Role

Your baby wants to eat. They start the feed. Then suddenly they're arching, pulling away, crying, or appearing uncomfortable.

Reflux or gastrointestinal discomfort may be one piece of the puzzle.

But reflux like symptoms don't always tell us why they're happening.

Milk flow, feeding volume, swallowed air, allergies or intolerances, gastrointestinal conditions, feeding mechanics, and other medical factors may contribute. That's why we don't want to look at one symptom in isolation.

Your pediatrician can help determine whether your baby's symptoms warrant additional medical evaluation.

4. Feeding May Simply Be Hard Work

Babies make feeding look simple, but there's actually a lot happening.

Your baby's tongue needs to move and cup efficiently. Their lips help maintain a seal. Their jaw provides stability. At the same time, they have to coordinate all of this with swallowing and breathing.

When feeding isn't efficient, you may notice clicking, leaking, poor suction, difficulty staying latched, frequent breaks, fatigue, very long feeds, or frustration.

This is why we don't only ask:

"How many ounces did your baby drink?"

We also want to know: "How did your baby have to work to get those ounces?"

5. Positioning, Tension, or Breathing May Be Contributing

The mouth doesn't work separately from the rest of the body.

If your baby strongly prefers looking to one side, seems uncomfortable in certain positions, has difficulty maintaining a stable feeding posture, or appears particularly tense, feeding may be more challenging.

Breathing matters, too. Babies rely heavily on nasal breathing. Congestion or difficulty breathing comfortably through the nose can make coordinating feeding much harder.

You may notice noisy breathing, congestion, frequent pulling off to breathe, short feeding bursts, or fatigue. Persistent noisy breathing, congestion, or difficulty breathing during feeds should be discussed with your baby's pediatrician.

6. Feeding May Be Starting to Feel Stressful

Babies learn from their experiences, including feeding experiences.

When feeding repeatedly feels uncomfortable or overwhelming, some babies begin showing stress before the feeding even starts.

You may notice:

• Crying when placed in a feeding position
• Turning away from the breast or bottle
• Arching or pushing the nipple out
• Refusing to latch
• Becoming upset when the bottle approaches
• Feeding more easily while sleepy

Your baby isn't giving you a hard time. They may be having a hard time. We want to understand what is making feeding difficult.

What You Can Try Before Your Next Feed

These won't replace an evaluation, but they're gentle, low risk places to start:

• Try a laid back position. Leaning back so your baby feeds on top of you lets gravity slow a fast letdown (La Leche League GB).
• Pace the bottle. Hold the bottle more horizontally, let your baby draw the nipple in, and offer short breaks every few swallows.
• Check the nipple flow. If your baby is gulping or leaking, try a slower flow nipple before assuming they need a faster one.
• Build in burp breaks. Pause partway through the feed, and again when switching sides.
• Start calm. Offer a feed at early hunger cues (rooting, hands to mouth) rather than once your baby is already crying.
• Notice the pattern. Jot down when the crying starts, what it looks like, and how long feeds take. It's incredibly helpful information to bring to your pediatrician or feeding specialist.

Could It Be a Tongue or Lip Tie?

This is often one of the first questions parents ask us, and we understand why.

If you've searched your baby's symptoms online, you've probably seen tongue ties connected to clicking, reflux, poor latch, bottle refusal, and more.

But here's something we really want parents to know:

A tongue or lip tie shouldn't be evaluated based on appearance alone.

We care about function.

Can your baby create and maintain suction? Can their tongue cup around the nipple? Can they maintain a seal? Can they coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing? Are they transferring milk efficiently and comfortably?

An oral restriction may contribute to feeding difficulties for some babies, but clicking, reflux, crying, or bottle difficulty doesn't automatically mean your baby has a tongue tie, or that a release is the next step. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine takes a similar view, recommending a full feeding assessment rather than a diagnosis based on how the frenulum looks (Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine).

We evaluate the baby, not just the frenulum.

When Should I Consider a Feeding Evaluation?

You don't have to wait until feeding feels overwhelming.

Consider reaching out if your baby consistently:

• Cries, arches, or appears uncomfortable during feeds
• Clicks, leaks milk, or frequently loses suction
• Coughs, chokes, or struggles to coordinate breathing
• Takes a very long time to feed or tires quickly
• Has difficulty staying latched
• Pulls away even though they still appear hungry
• Experiences significant spit up or reflux like behaviors
• Refuses the breast or bottle
• Has difficulty gaining weight or taking adequate milk

And sometimes, you don't have a long list of symptoms.

You may simply have a feeling that feeding is harder than it should be.

That's worth asking about, too.

If your baby is having difficulty breathing, experiencing color changes, showing signs of dehydration or significant lethargy, or repeatedly choking during feeds, seek prompt medical care.

Feeding Doesn't Have to Reach a Breaking Point Before You Ask for Help

Sometimes parents come to us with a long list of concerns. Other times they tell us:

"I don't know exactly what's wrong. Feeding just doesn't seem comfortable."

Both are reasons to ask questions.

We look beyond whether your baby is simply getting enough milk. We assess the how and why behind feeding, including oral function, sucking patterns, milk flow, positioning, coordination, breathing, and comfort.

Our goal isn't to look for a tongue tie. Our goal is to understand your baby.

Because when feeding is difficult, the most helpful question isn't:

"Is there a tie?"

It's: "Why is feeding hard, and what does this baby need to make it easier?"

Common Questions About Baby Crying During Feeding

Is it normal for a newborn to cry while breastfeeding?

Sometimes, yes. Hunger, a slow or fast letdown, needing to burp, or wanting to switch sides can all cause crying at the breast. If it happens at most feeds or comes with clicking, coughing, arching, or poor weight gain, it's worth having your baby's feeding assessed.

Why does my baby pull off the breast and cry?

Common reasons include a fast or forceful letdown, swallowed air from losing the seal, reflux or tummy discomfort, or difficulty breathing through the nose while feeding. Watching what happens right before your baby pulls off (gulping, clicking, arching) can help narrow it down.

Why does my baby cry during bottle feeding?

The nipple flow may be too fast or too slow, your baby may be swallowing air, or they may need more breaks to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Paced bottle feeding and a slower flow nipple are good first steps to try.

Can a tongue tie cause a baby to cry during feeds?

It can contribute for some babies, but crying, clicking, or reflux alone doesn't mean your baby has a tongue tie. A feeding specialist should look at how your baby's tongue, lips, and jaw actually function during a feed, not just how they look.

When should I call the pediatrician about crying during feeds?

Call if your baby has trouble gaining weight, has fewer wet diapers than expected, has persistent congestion or noisy breathing during feeds, or seems to be in pain. Seek prompt medical care for breathing difficulty, color changes, significant lethargy, signs of dehydration, or repeated choking.

Still Have Questions About Your Baby's Feeding?

You don't have to wait until feeding feels overwhelming to start looking for answers.

If you're noticing crying during feeds, clicking, leaking milk, latch difficulties, bottle refusal, reflux like symptoms, frequent feeds, or simply wondering whether your baby is feeding as efficiently and comfortably as they could be, we're here to help.

Want to learn more first?

Start with our free TOTs resource to learn more about infant feeding, oral function, tongue and lip ties, and what symptoms may be worth taking a closer look at.

Explore our free, therapist created resources: The Mouth Rehab Free Resources

Want personalized guidance?

Not sure whether your baby needs an evaluation? Sometimes you just want to talk it through first.

Schedule a "Pick My Brain" Virtual Consultation Call with Bryanna to discuss what you're noticing, ask questions, and get individualized guidance on the best next steps for your baby.

Schedule a Virtual Consultation

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This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for individualized care from your pediatrician, a feeding specialist, or an IBCLC. If you're worried about your baby's feeding, breathing, or weight gain, please reach out to your healthcare provider.

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A Note From Le Lolo: Taking Care of You, Too

When feeds are hard for your baby, they're often hard on you as well. Lots of pulling on and off can leave nipples sore, and a fast letdown usually means leaking on the other side.

• Our Hydrogel Cooling Pads and Beyond Balm soothe sore, tender nipples between feeds.
• Our reusable nursing pads keep you dry while your baby is learning to manage the flow.
• If a lactation professional suggests a nipple shield, our guide to finding the best nipple shield walks you through sizing and fit.

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Sources

• KellyMom. "Fast Letdown." https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/
• La Leche League GB. "Too Much Milk and Oversupply." https://www.laleche.org.uk/too-much-milk-and-oversupply/
• Colorado WIC. "Paced Bottle Feeding." https://coloradowic.gov/paced-bottle-feeding
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. "Position Statement on Ankyloglossia in Breastfeeding Dyads." https://breastfeeding.org/academy-of-breastfeeding-medicine-position-statement-on-ankyloglossia-in-breastfeeding-dyads