Getting a deep latch

A shallow latch is a common cause of pain during breastfeeding in the early days and weeks.

What is a shallow latch?

A shallow latch occurs when your baby doesn’t take a large enough mouthful of breast tissue into its mouth when latching. As a result your nipple is too far forward in your baby’s mouth, it can rub on their hard palate, which can cause pain and damage when feeding.

Why does my baby have a shallow latch?

·      It may be because you and your baby are still learning how to breastfeed. Your baby will need to be positioned well at the breast and supported to latch effectively.

If you are just starting out on your breastfeeding journey and are looking for support, tips and strategies on positioning and attachment but also guidance for every step of the first 6 months of breastfeeding then my online course breastfeeding: beyond getting started is for you!!

·      If your baby isn’t demonstrating a wide gape with its mouth, getting a deep latch may be challenging

·      Babies who have a tongue tie sometimes struggle to achieve and maintain a deep latch. For more information on feeding with a tongue tie click here.

Here are my tips to help get a deeper latch when feeding your baby:

·      Feed your baby in the laid-back nursing or rugby hold position

Laid back nursing position to help to get a deep latch

Ensure your baby is held close to your body and their body is in a straight line at the spine with their head free to tilt back.

·      Position your baby with its nose in line with your nipple

·      Wait until your baby roots and opens it’s mouth really wide before gently guiding them to the breast to latch

·      Remember that you are aiming for your baby to get a large mouthful of breast tissue into the mouth and not only the nipple

You may also need to use the exaggerated latch or flipple technique

1. Hold your breast and shape it so that your nipple is pointing up against your baby’s nose.

2. Shape your breast like a hamburger in line with the baby’s mouth. The orientation is important. When shaping your breast like a hamburger the piece that they take a bite from needs to match the alignment of your baby’s mouth and lips.  

3. Wait till your baby roots and opens it’s mouth very wide. It helps if your baby can feel your breast with their lower lip or chin

4. At that moment guide your baby to the breast with your other hand

5. Flip the nipple down into the mouth as your baby takes the breast into their mouth leading with the chin. Your baby will take the underside of the breast tissue and latch

6. Once latched you should notice that your baby has a much bigger mouthful of breast tissue and that you can see much less of the breast and areola.

7. Initially you may worry that your baby can’t breathe as you will notice their face is much deeper into the breast tissue, this is ok. Keep watching your baby while you get more confident seeing them feed in this way.

If you are still struggling with a shallow latch and/or suffering from nipple pain or damage then seek support from an IBCLC lactation consultation. To find an IBCLC near you click here.

If you are spending most of the night feeds googling various breastfeeding behaviours to look for reassurance then STOP and take a look at my online course Breastfeeding: Beyond Getting Started. This is your guide to problem solving and navigating all the phases of breastfeeding in the first 6 months.

Let me know your experiences of dealing with a shallow latch and how you overcame them. You can comment below.