Swallowing air CAN lead to reflux & colic and YES tongue ties do cause latching issues
- jaimiezaki
- May 18
- 4 min read
Debunking Breastfeeding Myths: Yes, Babies Can Swallow Air—and Tongue Ties Matter
Breastfeeding can be one of the most beautiful parts of motherhood—but it can also be confusing, overwhelming, and filled with unsolicited advice and misinformation.
A recent large birth account interviewed an IBCLC from The Thompson Method, and they shared two very damaging statements that are misleading at best, and damaging at worst.
Babies can’t swallow air.
Tongue ties aren't the problem.
If you've heard either of these and felt dismissed, confused, or even blamed for your struggles, you're not alone—and you’re not crazy. Let’s clear the air with facts, not opinions, so you can confidently make informed decisions about your baby’s health.
Who I Am and Why This Matters
I’m Jaimie—a licensed practical nurse, international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), birth doula, and homeschooling mom of five. I’ve spent nearly a decade helping mothers like you understand what’s really going on when breastfeeding feels harder than it should.
Let’s set the record straight—because your baby deserves more than one-size-fits-all advice promoted by big influencers and misleading "experts".
Myth 1: “Babies Can’t Swallow Air”
Truth: Babies can and do swallow air. It’s called aerophagia—and it matters.
If your baby:
arches their back during or after feeds
spits up excessively
seems uncomfortable or extra gassy
cries inconsolably after eating
...they could be swallowing air. And no, it’s not just because of your burping technique.
In ideal conditions, babies shouldn't swallow air while nursing or bottle feeding. But real life isn’t always ideal. Shallow latch, structural tension, or even milk flow issues can all cause air intake during feeds.
Think of it like this: adults sometimes swallow air when drinking quickly or eating in a rush. Babies can too—especially when feeding feels like a struggle instead of straightforward and simple.
👉 Ignoring aerophagia can mean ignoring real feeding complications.
Myth 2: “Tongue Ties Don’t Impact Breastfeeding”
Truth: A tongue tie can significantly affect latch, milk transfer, and comfort—for both baby and mama.
This doesn’t mean every baby with a feeding issue has a tongue tie, but dismissing them altogether is irresponsible.
Tongue ties can:
Prevent a deep latch
Cause nipple pain or damage
Contribute to poor weight gain
Lead to excessive gas from swallowing air
Increase risk of early weaning
Breastfeeding challenges are rarely caused by just one thing. But tongue ties deserve to be on the list of things we actually look at—especially when moms are doing “all the right things” and still struggling.
Why Misinformation Is So Harmful
When influencers or professionals with large platforms spread oversimplified messages like “babies don’t swallow air” or “tongue ties don’t matter,” they’re not empowering moms—they’re gaslighting them.
This kind of black-and-white thinking:
Invalidates mothers who know something feels off
Delays treatment that could improve quality of life for mom and baby
Creates guilt when breastfeeding doesn’t go smoothly
Your intuition is not broken. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay—and wise—to dig deeper.
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A Holistic Yet Evidence-Informed Approach
I believe in God’s design for mother and baby. Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. A holistic approach means trusting your instincts and being open to evaluating deeper issues when necessary.
That’s the balance I teach and support:
🌿 Trust your design.
🔍 Stay curious when challenges arise.
👩⚕️ Seek support from professionals who know how to connect the dots.
What to Do if You Suspect a Problem
If your baby is:
Swallowing lots of air
Unsettled during or after feeds
Struggling to latch despite good technique
Gassy, colicky, or constantly fussy
…it’s time to look beyond the basics.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Crazy—You’re Observant
It’s time to stop blaming moms for breastfeeding problems that could have been prevented or supported with real answers.
Your baby is communicating with you. Your body is not broken .And you are more than capable of discerning truth from trendy advice.
Let’s center the conversation back where it belongs: supporting moms in making confident, informed choices grounded in real evidence and intuition—not shame or social media trends.
Jaimie Zaki is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and mom of 5! Jaimie has volunteered as a La Leche League Leader, worked as a nurse, doula, and birth photographer, and is the host of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast and founder of the Confident MamaBear Society. Jaimie provides holistic breastfeeding advice for pregnant & new moms, helping them overcome unexpected latching trouble and milk supply issues. She empowers mothers to make informed decisions from a place of confidence and intuition.
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