Kerri,
While it's possible that this is habit, I'd bet that the baby has some 
underlying issue that is not resolved. I've had many babies with 
laryngomalacia/tracheomalacia in my practice who breastfeed with short 
sucking bursts until their epiglottis or tracheal cartilages stiffen, 
and then they breastfeed normally.

It's possible that this baby has choanal atresia - (the normal bones at 
the back of the nose are not sufficiently open) or small nares 
(nostrils). Sometimes these conditions coincide with tongue tie (the 
tongue normally presses against the palate in utero, widening the 
choanae, and after birth the tongue presses the breast against the 
palate, widening the palate, the choanae, and shaping the face in a more 
rounded fashion.

The allergies might just have been exacerbating the situation, narrow 
respiratory openings can't tolerate any congestion. It's also possible 
that the baby is microaspirating (getting tiny bits of milk in her 
respiratory system, often from rapidly gasping for air when she has not 
completely swallowed).

If any of the above is true, the baby is doing the best she can, and is 
a smart little girl for having figured this out! Mom might try feeding 
in a more reclined position (have mom lean back so the baby is 
breastfeeding uphill). This might help her handle flow better.

If you want to take some video of this mom and baby breastfeeding in a 
quiet place (so respiratory and swallowing sounds can be clearly heard), 
I'd be happy to look at it, email me privately...
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC

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