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If youve ever wondered why babies make these weird but cute moaning sounds when they eat, youre not alone. Its a question that has baffled parents for generations.
Some believe that its a sign that your little one is happy, while others think it may be a way of communicating discomfort. But what does it really mean?
Turns out, there are a number of reasons why babies moan when they eat. And in this post, Ill talk about 7 of the most common reasons.
Should I Be Worried If A Baby Moans When Feeding?
Newborns make sounds to express their feelings and grab attention. They are trying to communicate verbally and physically with the little vocabulary they have learnt so far like crying, sighing and also moaning.
It is very normal for babies to moan when feeding, depending on how or what they feel.
Also read: Baby pushing bottle away but still hungry?
In most cases it is just because the baby is feeling comfortable and happy or sleepy and bored, but it can be due to some pain or stomach issue they might be experiencing.
7 Reasons Why Babies Moan When They Eat
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your baby moans when they are eating solid food or when they are just breastfeeding:
Your Baby Is Happy
Food is known for making people happy regardless of whether they are babies or adults.
When someone is eating a food they like, our body generates dopamine which is a neuro chemical agent for happiness. It communicates with the brain and encourages us to feel pleasurable and excitable. It is easy to say if a person is enjoying their food or not by studying their expressions.
Babies do not have exact words to say that they are excited to have food. They might smack and suck lips together or throw hands in the air when they see it.
Moaning while eating shows that the baby is enjoying their meal. If the baby is feeling hungry, feeding will definitely make him happy and comfortable.
Your Baby Loves The Food
Babies do love their food, especially when they feel hungry. They might be excited to fill up their little tummies as fast as they could. But as a parent you always feed your toddler slowly and carefully.
This can make the baby a bit annoyed and grumpy and they will make moaning sounds when feeding to let you know that.
Or the baby is enjoying every mouthful of it and they are asking you to just keep it coming with moaning noises.
Also read: Can babies eat cream?
Your Baby Is Having A Good Time
Most babies moan joyfully while being breastfed because their hunger and thirst is going away. Not only that but also getting the mother’s attention while feeding is another reason for these happy moaning sounds.
They feel secure and safe with someone familiar being around. Meal time can be the happiest time of a babys day with having everything he/she needs at the same time.
Your Baby is Bored
Babies are always looking for new experiences. They learn by watching and listening to things happening around them. Newborns are very curious about their surroundings.
Since they can not move on their own yet, the baby is forced to keep looking at the things at where he/she is being kept. Initially this can be interesting to the child. But once he/she has seen enough of the same scenery, they might get dull and bored easily.
Most newborns spend a lot of time in their cradles and beds where they have to keep looking at the ceiling. If the baby is bored, then he/she would not enjoy having a meal even though they need to.
Moaning can be the babys way of telling you that they need a change of surroundings. You can take the child somewhere different in the feeding time, especially outdoors to see how he reacts.
Your Baby Has Had Enough And Close To Falling Asleep
With a full tummy and being tired from playing, your baby might be feeling sleepy. Moaning when eating may suggest that the baby has had enough and they need a good nap now.
However the baby might not stop eating because they like the food, but it is time to stop because you dont want to over-feed the little one.
Still, you dont have to stop feeding just because the baby moans as it could be one of the reasons and we dont know for sure which one it is.
Also read: Baby sleeps with head tilted back?
But as parents, you should have an idea about how much food your baby eats per meal. It is totally up to you to decide if you feel like he/she had enough food for now.
If the toddler is moaning and looks sleepy, it is better to stop feeding because they tend to fall asleep with food in their mouth.
Trying To Imitate Sounds
Babies try to imitate actions and sounds adults make. Most parents say things like yummy , mmm good to make the toddler interested in food.
Although your baby is unable to make exact noises, they will try to copy these. This can come out as a moaning sound when eating. This is a normal situation as babies learn to speak in such ways.
Your Baby Might Be Sick Or Feeling Pain
If your baby moans painfully and cries during feeding time, he/she could be suffering from acid reflux in the stomach.
This is when the stomachs content including acid comes back up causing a pain like burning. If you suspect this is the cause of your babys moaning, it is best to consult a pediatrician.
A lot of babies make sounds during and after feeding due to discomfort from gas build ups. This is very normal as you may already know because infants have an underdeveloped digestive system unlike adults.
They might swallow air while feeding and it may cause them to feel gassy. As we mentioned earlier, noises are a baby’s way of communicating with you. Moaning when eating or breastfeeding might be a sign that a baby is having trouble with a gassy stomach.
This can be relieved with a simple burp and a gentle tap in the back, on most occasions.
Sometimes infants can have problems in their mouth, especially when their teeth are coming out. This may also be a reason for painful moaning when eating.
Check for any noticeable signs of wounds and see your pediatrician for better
Conclusion
Moaning is a common and normal sound babies make when eating for various reasons.
Although it is hard to actually understand what your baby is trying to say by making these sounds, you will get familiar with those signs eventually.
Babies may moan when eating because they are happily enjoying the food and want more of it. Or maybe the baby is full and feeling sleepy during the meal. A babys moan can be a try to imitate adult voices when feeding.
Considering the worst case scenario, your little one could be experiencing pain in the stomach or mouth. If you are unsure about the cause or having doubts, it is always better to see a pediatrician.
