How to Solve Common Latch Problems With Breastfeeding

When a baby latches on to the breast correctly, they can more easily remove breast milk from your breasts. Efficient removal is important for both you and your baby. It allows your child to get enough milk to grow healthy and strong while also telling your body to build and maintain your milk supply.

On the other hand, when a baby isn't latching on well or not latching on at all, it can lead to breastfeeding issues for the parent and baby. Babies who don't get enough milk may gain weight slowly or even lose weight. Breastfeeding parents can develop painful breast conditions such as breast engorgement, plugged milk ducts, or mastitis. The ineffective removal of breast milk can also cause a low breast milk supply.

Most babies can latch on and breastfeed well, even if they need a little assistance in the beginning. However, there are a few situations that can make latching more difficult. Addressing these will make breastfeeding more successful and comfortable.

Baby Behavior

Sometimes a baby's behavior can contribute to latch problems. If your baby is agitated or or very sleepy, they may have difficulty latching on.

Your Baby Is Fussy

When a baby is too fussy or crying, they may not latch on to breastfeed. If your infant is hungry, overtired, or overstimulated, breastfeeding can be more difficult.

Try to breastfeed when your baby is awake, calm, and before they get too hungry. If your baby is crying, try to console them before feeding. Holding and swaddling your child or moving to a quiet area and dimming the lights can also help.

Gently squeeze a few drops of breast milk onto your breast right before you try to get your baby to latch. The smell and taste of the milk can encourage your baby to feed. You can also try to change positions or change sides.

Your Baby Is Sleepy

If all your newborn wants to do is sleep, they may not show any interest in latching on and breastfeeding. Sometimes, the medications given to the birthing parent during childbirth can cause extra sleepiness. If that's the case, the sleepiness will wear off with the medications.

Many times, newborns are just tired. If your baby doesn't wake up to breastfeed, wake them up at least every two to three hours. Try to rouse them by talking softly, unwrapping them, and changing their diaper.

Sometimes, all it takes is holding your baby in a different breastfeeding position. If they are a little less warm and comfortable, they'll be more likely to stay awake for feedings.

Breast or Nipple Problems

Sometimes the shape and size of the breasts and nipples make it difficult for a baby to properly latch. But there are things you can do to help if your baby has trouble latching.

You Have Large Nipples

If you have large nipples, it can be harder for your newborn to latch on. Even average-sized nipples can be too big for a premature infant.

For your child to latch on well, they need to be able to take the entire nipple, plus a good amount of the areola, into their mouth. If your nipple is filling up your child's mouth, they won't be able to grasp any of the surrounding areola along with it. Therefore, they won't be able to effectively remove breast milk.

A nipple shield may be helpful. When it's placed over the nipple, the shape of the shield is smaller and easier for a baby to grasp in their mouth. Large nipples are only an issue in the early days of breastfeeding. As your child grows, it will become easier for them to latch on directly to your breast.

You Have Large Breasts

It can be awkward and difficult to get your baby latched on properly when you have very big breasts. The size of your breast can prevent you from viewing your nipple and your baby's mouth. It's also harder to hold your breasts and position them.

In this situation, the best way to get your baby latching on is to have someone help you in the beginning. Then, as you become comfortable and your baby learns to latch on and breastfeed, you will be able to do it on your own.

Your Breasts Are Very Engorged

Breast engorgement is common, especially in the first few days of breastfeeding. From days three to five, your colostrum is turning into mature breast milk.

During the transitional stage, breast milk production increases. As your breasts are quickly filled, it can cause them to become swollen and hard.

If the skin on your breasts becomes tight and your nipples flatten out, your baby may have a hard time latching on. You can soften up the skin around your nipples and areola by pumping or hand expressing a little breast milk before you begin to breastfeed. This will make it easier for your baby to latch on.

Your Nipples Are Flat or Inverted

Some babies can latch on to flat or even inverted nipples. However, sometimes flat or inverted nipples make it more difficult for a baby to latch.

If your newborn can't latch on correctly because your nipples don't protrude from your breast, try pumping for a minute or two before you begin breastfeeding. The suction of a breast pump will sometimes draw out and lengthen the nipples enough for your child to latch on. If that doesn't work, talk to your doctor or a lactation professional about trying a nipple shield.

Prematurity

A preemie has a small mouth, making it harder to get a good latch. With less energy to suck and draw the milk out of the breast, preemies can tire out quickly before they get enough breast milk.

A nipple shield can make it easier for a premature baby's tiny mouth to latch on. Or, you may have to pump your breast milk for your preemie until they get a little bigger.

Health Conditions

Physical barriers and cognitive conditions can make breastfeeding more challenging. Some conditions make it difficult to maintain suction, while others may impact the kind of coordination that breastfeeding requires.

Your Baby Has a Tongue-Tie

In babies born with a tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), the piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the lower part of the mouth is, instead, attached closer to the tip of the tongue. A baby with a tongue-tie cannot extend their tongue out of their mouth far enough to correctly latch on to the breast for feeding.

If your newborn is having latching problems and you suspect a tongue-tie, let your pediatrician know. They will need to refer your baby to a specialist who is trained to diagnose the condition. Once your infant has been examined by a specialist (such as an ear, nose, and throat doctor or ENT), treatment will be based on how severe the condition is.

Your Baby Was Born With a Cleft Lip

A cleft lip makes it harder for an infant to latch on and create a seal around the breast. If your baby also has a cleft palate, it can be tough for them to create the suction needed to pull milk from your breast.

It's not necessarily impossible to breastfeed if your infant has a cleft lip and/or palate. Your newborn's doctor, a lactation consultant, and the other specialists involved with your baby's care can provide guidance.

Learning the techniques for breastfeeding a baby with a cleft, and getting started as soon as possible, will give you the best chance of successfully breastfeeding.

Your Child Has Down Syndrome

Babies born with Down syndrome tend to have small mouths and poor muscle tone, which can make latching on for breastfeeding difficult. They may also have tongue thrust and a weak ability to suck—all of which can affect their ability to breastfeed.

With time and support, many babies with Down syndrome are able to breastfeed successfully. Breastfeeding may even help infants with Down syndrome develop coordination and build up strength in their facial muscles.

If your baby has Down syndrome, it can help to talk to a lactation professional early on if you would like to breastfeed. You can try breastfeeding as soon as it's safe to so, which might even be in the delivery room. To encourage your baby to latch on and feed, hold your baby to the breast often and give them lots of skin-to-skin time.

Your Child Has Other Special Needs

A baby with a neurological issue may have difficulty forming a seal around the breast or sucking. Infants with heart problems may get tired easily or have trouble breathing and breastfeeding at the same time.

If your baby is born with a health issue, they will need more help with latching on, as well as more time to adjust to breastfeeding. You may have to pump breast milk and supplement your infant while you are both learning the ropes.

A Word From Verywell

Issues with latching on can interfere with breastfeeding, decrease breastfeeding confidence, and lead to early weaning. With the right help, most latching problems can be corrected. Even babies born early or with physical and neurological issues can still learn to latch on and breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is not always straightforward or easy, especially in the beginning. It's often a learning process for parents and babies. If you have patience, support, and guidance from lactation consultants and other healthcare providers, it's possible to turn latching problems into breastfeeding success.