8 Signs Your Baby Is Not Latching Correctly

During a feed, the entire nipple and areola should be in the baby's mouth, feeding should not cause discomfort to the mother, much less pain, and the baby should swallow regularly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case from the start. Correctly latching on to the breast is a skill that the baby needs to practice.

Read the symptoms below. If they occur during your breastfeeding sessions, it is likely that your baby is having trouble latching correctly. Sometimes the cause is physiological (for example, an abnormal mouth structure or increased muscle tension), but in most cases, simply improving the technique is enough to make breastfeeding comfortable for both of you.

Probable signs that the baby is not latching correctly:

• Breastfeeding causes discomfort, or even pain, for the mother
• Nipples are cracked or irritated
• A whistling sound can be heard during feeding
• No rhythmic swallowing is heard during feeding
• The baby's mouth is in a pacifier shape and the cheeks are sucked in
• The mother suffers from milk stagnation in her breasts (engorgement)
• The baby is restless while eating, and after feeding, seems hungry
• The child is not gaining weight properly

If you start to feel pain during feeding, slide your finger into your baby's mouth, remove the nipple, and relatch your baby.

Poor latch: possible causes

Poor breastfeeding position

First of all, the mother needs to find a comfortable and optimal position for breastfeeding. You must remember not to bring the breast to the baby, but rather the baby to the breast. The baby's mouth should be positioned on the nipple, and make sure they take enough of the breast deeply. The child should face you with their face and body.

The baby's mouth is not wide open

Never slide the breast into the baby's half-open mouth. The baby's mouth must be wide open. If the baby does not open their mouth wide, touch their mouth with the nipple and wait until they are ready to latch on correctly. A shallow latch will be painful for you, it will not stimulate lactation correctly, and the baby will not be satisfied.

Restless and irritable infant

It is a mistake to put the baby to the breast when they are already very hungry. The baby is then irritable, may cry, and have difficulty breathing calmly. All of this can cause problems with latching correctly. Moreover, eating greedily and nervously detaching from the breast will make the baby's latch shallow and painful for you. The mother should learn to recognize the baby's first signs of hunger, such as looking around or sticking out their tongue. If the child is very anxious, it is worth trying to calm them down first.

Child's illness

A child with a runny nose, who is teething, or has thrush may have difficulty latching correctly. A blocked nose or sore gums can be an obstacle to breastfeeding. In case of a runny nose, instill physiological saline into the nose before feeding and, if possible, aspirate the secretion from the baby's nose; it will then be easier for them to breathe during feeding. You can apply an anesthetic gel to sore gums so that the pain does not make it difficult for the baby to suck.

Abnormal frenulum structure (tongue tie)

Some children have abnormalities in the structure of the oral cavity. One such problem can be an enlarged or too short tongue frenulum. The lack of proper tongue mobility can prevent the child from sticking out their tongue correctly. Sometimes a small surgical intervention to cut the tongue frenulum is enough to restore its mobility and allow the child to latch on correctly.

Giving a bottle or pacifier too early

Giving a bottle or pacifier too early can interfere with the development of good habits. Unfortunately, even the best accessories pose such a risk, so try not to give your baby a pacifier or bottle for the first 2-4 weeks. If the baby needs to be fed, a spoon, syringe, or special cup can be used instead. If you are bottle-feeding, it is important to use the correct latch technique: the baby's mouth should also be wide open, and the choice of bottle should be appropriate, preferably slow-flow.