Why Addressing Breastfeeding and Bottle-Feeding Challenges is Critical for Both Baby and Mother
- Bianca Chung, CLC CHC CST
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Many parents are told, “Baby is gaining weight, so everything is fine.” However, feeding success is not measured by weight gain alone. When feeding is inefficient, painful, or dysregulated, both baby and mother experience significant physical and emotional stress.
The Impact on Baby: Feeding as a Full-Body Experience
Infant feeding is not just about nutrition—it is a neuromuscular and sensory experience that involves the coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. When dysfunction is present, it often affects far more than just nutrition:
Increased Energy Expenditure – Babies with poor oral function may expend excessive energy trying to feed, leading to prolonged feeds, fatigue, and frequent night-waking due to incomplete intake.
Gastrointestinal Distress – Swallowing excess air (aerophagia) due to a shallow latch or disorganised suck can lead to reflux, gas, and post-feed discomfort. Babies with undiagnosed tongue-tie or tension-related feeding dysfunction often live in a cycle of feeding, crying, reflux medication, and poor sleep.
Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation – Feeding dysfunction may contribute to excessive crying, difficulty self-soothing, and persistent irritability. These symptoms are sometimes labelled as “colic,” but in many cases, they may reflect an underlying oral-motor or sensory-based challenge contributing to discomfort.
Structural Compensations – Babies who struggle to feed comfortably often adopt adaptive postures (arching, head tilting, stiffening) that can persist into movement patterns, airway development, and even speech formation.
These challenges rarely resolve on their own. Left unaddressed, they often carry forward into issues with solid feeding, airway health, and sleep regulation.
The Maternal Toll: Physical and Psychological Burden
Whilst the infant bears the physical effects of feeding dysfunction, mothers frequently suffer the emotional and physiological consequences:
Physical Pain & Recurrent Trauma – Inefficient latch or repeated blocked ducts can result in persistent nipple pain, mastitis, or supply issues—yet many mothers are frequently encouraged to “push through”.
Sleep Deprivation & Chronic Exhaustion – Prolonged or ineffective feeds create relentless feeding cycles, depriving mothers of rest and contributing to postnatal depletion.
Maternal Mental Health Impact – Feeding struggles are a major driver of postnatal anxiety and depression. Many mothers report feeling unheard, isolated, or blamed when their concerns are dismissed because the baby is “gaining weight”.
Mothers facing persistent feeding difficulties often internalise guilt, anxiety, and a sense of failure—despite the fact that these are functional feeding challenges, not parenting failures.
Red Flags That Warrant Further Assessment
Feeding challenges may be subtle at first, but the following signs suggest underlying dysfunction that warrants closer evaluation:
Feeds lasting longer than 30 minutes, or baby tiring quickly during feeds
Frequent reflux, spit-up, or unexplained gastrointestinal discomfort
Clicking sounds, milk dribbling, or poor latch stability
Frequent latching/unlatching, or a strong side/position preference
Mouth breathing, noisy breathing, or persistent congestion after feeds
Excessive nipple pain, visible damage or recurrent blocked ducts
Shallow latch or dimpling at the cheeks during feeding
Gulping, coughing, or choking during feeds
Arching, stiffening, or pulling away during feeds
Persistent milk leakage from the corners of the mouth
Strong aversion to the breast or bottle
Baby consistently falls asleep shortly after beginning to feed
Frequent hiccups, gas, or straining during bowel movements
Why Early Intervention Matters
Feeding dysfunction rarely improves in isolation. Babies with early feeding challenges are more likely to develop:
Difficulties with chewing and transition to solids
Delayed speech articulation or oral-motor control issues
Narrow palate or compromised airway growth
Poor sleep quality due to breathing effort or tension
A function-based approach to feeding assessment allows for early identification of underlying issues—before they become deeply embedded and more difficult to resolve.
How I Work at Raising Good Eaters
At Raising Good Eaters, I take a clinical, holistic approach—evaluating oral function, airway stability, autonomic regulation, and neuromuscular tension. Because feeding is not just about getting milk in—it’s about ensuring both baby and mother can thrive, not just survive.
If you’re noticing persistent feeding difficulties, book a consultation or refer a patient today.
Bianca is a Certified Lactation Counsellor and Certified Family Health Coach, with advanced training in infant nutrition, tongue ties, craniosacral therapy, paediatric feeding, and orofacial myofunctional therapy. She brings a multidisciplinary lens to each consult, helping families uncover root causes and move forward with clarity and confidence.
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