The smacking sound is the tongue doing something it is not supposed to 
do.  I would suspect a short tongue, or even a high palate if the right 
seal can not be made. I also vote that a deeper latch may be needed if 
baby can laterilize and extend his tongue normally. I see a lot of 
babies with recessed chins who get on with their noses in and the chins 
hanging way out. This causes sore nipples and poor intake. Smacking 
sounds can also be a sign of too fast milk flow -- especially if baby 
tends to slide down to the tip of the nipple and clamp down with his jaw 
to slow the flow. I assess that by test weights before nursing and then 
right after the baby slides down to the nipple tip and clamps. You 
usually hear gulping and baby starts squirming or flailing his arms 
around, then slides to the tip. Intake seems to go up by 1-2 ounces 
every few minutes. I have also heard smacking or crackling noises when 
the nipple shield is too big for mom's anatomy and "crinkles" as baby 
sucks.

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC

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