Deeper Latch

photo from the CDC Media Center

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Too often parents are told that their baby “has a great latch” just because the baby’s mouth is on the breast.

But latch is not good if:

• Latch is painful - no excuses for anyone who tells you that you have to “get used to it”, or “toughen up” or any other form of gaslighting. Latch should not cause pain, sores, or nipple compression.

• Baby has a visibly shallow latch (usually painful and limiting milk intake)

• Baby latch looks wide on the outside but they are constantly sleepy, only “nibbling” (not drinking), always seem hungry (even after latching). If this is occurring, they are they are very likely not getting enough milk - leading to low diaper output, slow weight gain or weight loss for baby, lower supply, plugged ducts and many other issues.

• You hear clicking, gulping, squeaking, or any other noises. Good drinking is quiet.

• Your supply is not rising from colostrum to more volume after the first few days.

• Baby is not gaining weight after a normal weight loss.

• Latch is shallow for any reason.

You may think that your supply is low but it might be the other way around - a less effective latch causes low supply, and becomes and “vicious cycle” - low supply then causing a less effective latch.

If baby’s latch is not effective (or if your pump doesn’t fit you well), then less milk will be “removed” from the breast - and this will tell your body to make less milk.

Of course some people have low supply for other reasons - less growth of breast tissue in adolescence, hormonal issues, retained placenta and so many other possibilities - work with your IBCLC to determine if ineffective latch/pumping caused low supply, or if there are other issues to address.

Great tips for an effective latch

• Start with baby’s chin anchored on the breast and their nose away - like the angle you would hold your head up if you drink from a glass of water. The chin actually lands the latch!

• Bring baby to the breast asymmetrically - not like a “bullseye”. This places the baby’s tongue on the breast rather than the nipple, and ultimately the nipple deep in the back of the mouth (by the soft palate), rather than squished between the hard palate and the tongue (ouch!).

• The asymmetric latch is often called the “flipple” because your nipple flips into the baby’s mouth last. So, don’t drag your nipple down after the baby opens up, instead bring them to you - here are a few more resources that show this deep latch well.

  • This video showing the cross-cradle position also shows an excellent asymmetric latch

  • This instagram post showing some nice detail for a deeper latch

  • This exaggerated asymmetric latch video

Breastfeeding positions that help with latch

There are many positions for nursing - I’ve devoted a whole page to them! The most important things are:

• Both of you are supported and comfortable

• The baby is fully facing you

• The baby’s arms/hands are around your breast (like a “hug”), which helps their whole body to be closer to you.

• The baby comes to the breast asymmetrically (chin first - see above)

A few more resources

• Breast compressions to both push the nipple deeper into the baby’s mouth and also help baby get more milk (which also helps supply!)

• Supporting/sandwiching your breast while feeding, holding your breast not too close/not too far from the nipple, helps baby get onto the breast more deeply.

• Fantastic article called “How to Get A Good Deep Latch”

• And two more videos - one showing the asymmetric latch using a puppet, and one that is a discussion with helpful analogies