Baby Is Fussy During Feeding — What to Do?
 Category | Feeding |
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Medically reviewed by pediatrician and perinatal psychologist Polina Kizino
If your baby is fussy during feeding, it’s not always a cause for concern. The reason might be colic, teething, tiredness, or even bright lights in the room. Try creating a calm environment, hold your baby upright after feeding, and don’t insist if they’re not hungry.
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Quick takeaways
- Fussiness during feeding is usually due to temporary physical reasons: colic, teething, growth spurts. Less common causes include changes in milk taste, uncomfortable feeding position, or lactose intolerance.
- How to help: feed in a quiet, low-light place, keep baby upright after feeding, massage the tummy. Don’t force-feed — a healthy baby regulates their own appetite.
- Occasional fussiness is normal. If the baby is active and gaining weight, there’s no cause for concern. When in doubt, consult your pediatrician.
Sometimes babies get fussy during feeding
Babies express discomfort in many ways during feeding: squirming, crying, turning away, biting the breast or nipple, arching the back.
It’s important to remember this doesn’t always signal a serious problem. Most of the time, it’s due to temporary changes related to growth and development.
Possible reasons for fussiness
- Colic and tummy discomfort — common in the first months as digestion adjusts
- Teething — sore gums can make sucking uncomfortable
- Growth crises and developmental phases — babies may be unsettled during these transitions
- Distraction — from 3–6 months, babies get curious and may be distracted by light, sound, or motion
- Change in milk taste — from mom’s diet or hormonal changes (like menstruation)
- Uncomfortable feeding position
- Lower appetite — due to heat, tiredness, or illness
- Lactose intolerance — lack of enzyme to digest milk sugar, often with tummy pain and stool changes
How to feed a fussy baby
- Check positioning — make sure the baby is comfortable
- Create a calm environment — reduce light, noise, distractions
- Try switching breasts or bottles — they might prefer one side or nipple
- Watch for solid food impact — if baby has started solids, they may just be less hungry
- Teething support — offer a cooled teether before feeding
- Don’t force it — if not hungry, baby will eat later
- Consult a pediatrician if you suspect an illness
Frequently Asked Questions About Fussiness During Feeding
Why is my baby fussy during feeding?
Babies may become fussy during feeding because of colic, tummy discomfort, teething, or growth spurts. Sometimes fussiness is linked to an uncomfortable feeding position, changes in milk taste, distractions, or a temporary decrease in appetite.
Why does my baby get distracted and stop feeding?
Between 3 and 6 months of age, babies become more curious about the world around them. Lights, sounds, movement, and other activity can easily distract them from feeding, even when they are not completely finished eating.
What should I do if my baby cries or refuses to feed?
Make sure your baby is comfortable and try feeding in a calm environment with fewer distractions. If teething may be the cause, offering a cooled teether before feeding can help. If your baby is not hungry, avoid force-feeding and try again later.
When should I talk to a pediatrician about feeding fussiness?
Speak with your pediatrician if your baby regularly refuses feeds, is not gaining weight well, seems unusually lethargic, or develops changes in stool. It's also a good idea to seek advice if feeding difficulties continue and you're concerned about your baby's well-being.
Sources
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- “Infantile Colic”, Ada, https://ada.com/conditions/infantile-colic/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
- “Infant and young child feeding”, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
- “Infant and young child feeding”, UNICEF, https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/infant-and-young-child-feeding/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
- Plooij FX, van de Rijt-Plooij H. The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby's Mental Development and Help Him Turn His 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases into Magical Leaps Forward. Kiddy World Publishing; 2017. ISBN: 978-9491882166
- Ball HL. Breastfeeding, bed-sharing, and infant sleep. Birth. 2003 Sep;30(3):181-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1523-536x.2003.00243.x. PMID: 12911801. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12911801/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.