How Baby Breathes Impacts Feeding

When we think about lactation, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, the focus if often on the latch. But one critical piece is often overlooked: how your baby breathes. While some breathing challenges are acute and warrant immediate medical attention, that is not what we are talking about. Many times there are subtle symptoms that indicate baby is not breathing efficiently. And efficient breathing is the foundation for a strong suck, feeding endurance, and smooth suck–swallow–breathe coordination.

Why Breathing Is Essential for Feeding

If breathing is restricted, it can affect:

• Suck strength: Babies may have a weak or soft suck, as they struggle to generate the pressure needed to create a vacuum in their mouth and extract milk.

• Endurance: Shorter feeding sessions because the baby tires quickly.

• Coordination: Frequent breaks, gulping, or fatigue during feeds.

Supporting proper breathing can enhance lactation success, making feeds easier for both baby and parent.

But how do you know if breathing is part of baby's breastfeeding or bottle feeding challenges?

Observe Your Baby

Even subtle postural asymmetries or muscular tension can make breathing more effortful, impacting breastfeeding skills. Some common issues include:

• Rib cage tension or flaring ribs: Reduces chest expansion and diaphragm movement.

• Separation of abdominal muscles- you may see a tiny bulge from the belly button up to the lower ribs): Impacts core stability and diaphragm function.

• A curved baby: If baby frequently tilts or turns their head toward one shoulder, or you notice that their body appears to pull to one side, this could impact how well they expand their ribcage and activate abdominal muscles.

• Distended abdomen: If baby has a large, squishy tummy all the time- this may indicate lower muscle tone and difficulty activating the core for strength of suck and endurance.

• Do they arch back or strain their neck when sleeping? This can be baby opening their airway.

Listen to them Breathe/Feed

• Is baby mouth breathing? Is it audible? They may tire more quickly at breast.

• Do they make a high pitch, squeaky noise? They may have difficulty coordinating their suck-swallow-breathe because of a lack of tension in the vocal chords.

When breathing is impacted, it can also compromise suck strength, coordination, and feeding efficiency.

Supporting Your Baby’s Posture and Breathing

Here are strategies to support both breathing and lactation success:

• Encourage tummy time, as well as playing on baby's sides: Promotes symmetry in the body.

• Switch sides when holding, feeding, sleeping: Reduces tension and prevents asymmetry.

• Breastfeed with good postural support: Baby's ear lined up with their shoulder and hip. This allows the diaphragm to move freely.

• Work with a pediatric PT, OT, or Speech-Language Pathologist specialized in infant feeding: Professional guidance ensures optimal posture, breathing, and feeding mechanics.

Bottom Line

Breathing well means stronger, more efficient feeding foundation!

Nourish Therapy specializes in holistic, whole body feeding therapy that includes addressing postural stability and breathing mechanics that impact feeding. We also collaborate with other providers on your team to ensure all aspects of movement and development are being addressed. If you think your baby may have feeding challenges related to posture or breathing, schedule a call to get started.