Why Is My Baby Having Trouble Latching? Tips for a Good Breastfeeding Latch and Position

In those first days of feeding your baby, things don’t always unfold as simply as the pictures make it seem. Many new parents expect breastfeeding to just happen, but it’s a skill for both you and your baby to learn together.

One of the most common hurdles? When your baby struggles to latch or keep a latch. It can feel stressful, painful, and lonely. You are not alone. Many families face this, and with guidance and a bit of time, things can change for the better.

 Let’s explore why latching can be tricky, what helps, and how to know when to reach out for more support.

Why a Good Latch Matters for Breastfeeding

A good breastfeeding latch is about more than just getting milk from breast to baby. It’s the connection that makes feeding comfortable for you and effective for your baby. Early initiation within the first hour after birth helps babies use their natural rooting reflex, hand-to-mouth movements and other feeding cues. Skin-to-skin contact in that first hour and beyond is critical for establishing a good latch.

For more on the importance of early latching, see Health Canada’s newborn care guidelines.

Benefits of a good latch

• Draw milk more easily
• Protect your nipples from soreness and nipple pain
• Stimulate your body to make milk
• Stay more satisfied after a feed

A deep latch also allows you to hear your baby swallowing, a reassuring sign that milk transfer is happening. Positioning is key: your baby’s ear, shoulder, and hip should be in a straight line and their whole body supported. Avoiding early use of pacifiers or artificial nipples can help babies learn to latch. Hand expression in the early days can soften the breast and make latching easier.

Without that deep latch, babies sometimes appear to be hungry all the time or seem to need more milk, when in fact the milk isn’t being transferred well. Over time, this can affect your supply, which is why getting help early really matters. This is also where some of those worries about low milk supply begin. Often, the supply is there, but a shallow latch means your baby just isn’t getting milk out effectively. Supporting the latch usually improves milk flow and confidence for everyone.

How to Know When the Latch Is Working

You might wonder how to tell if your baby’s latch is working well. Watch for these signs:

Signs of an effective latch

• Chin snug against your breast and nose clear
• Mouth wide open with lips and upper lip flanged outwards
• Cheeks look full as they suck (no dimpling)
• Slow, steady sucking and swallows instead of constant clicking
• A comfortable feeling for you

You may also notice your baby’s sucking changes from quick little sucks to slower, deeper swallows as milk starts to flow. After the feeding, your breast should feel softer and your baby’s hands and body more relaxed.

For a more detailed overview of positioning and what a good latch looks like, La Leche League has a helpful resource: Positioning and Attachment.

Why Latching Can Be Hard

Before we talk about why latching can be hard, let’s clear up a few myths that many new parents hear. It’s not true that babies always know exactly how to latch the moment they are born. It’s not true that if you are struggling, it means there is something wrong with you or your baby. And it’s not true that nipple pain is just something you must accept. These common ideas can make you feel alone, but the truth is that latching difficulties are common and often have clear causes that can be worked through with support.

There are numerous reasons why breastfeeding can be a challenge. Some are related to your baby and others to you. From baby sleepiness to you being stressed and tired and needing more rest, it all can factor in.

Baby factors

• Sleepiness after birth, which can make them less alert to cues
• Tongue tie or lip tie. Tongue tie is when a short or tight piece of tissue under the tongue limits how the tongue moves. Babies with a tongue tie can have a hard time, lifting their tongue up to massage milk out of the breast, sticking their tongue out or moving it side to side. This makes it tricky to cup the breast properly and can lead to clicking sounds, poor milk transfer, long feeding times and soreness for you. Small or premature newborn babies, may not be strong enough to get a full feed at your breast, cantire quickly at the breast and may need shorter, more frequent feeds, some premature babies require added calories to their breastmilk.
• Needing practice and time to mature to develop coordination, sucking and swallowing as their reflex develops

Parent factors

• Very full breasts 
• Inverted or flat nipples
• Difficulty finding a good position and supporting the baby’s head and body
• Exhaustion and stress during recovery
• Maternal complications causing separation from baby
• Painful nipples from previous poor latch that make trying again hard

Sometimes there are also external factors like fast letdown (milk flowing quickly) which can cause a baby to pull off frequently, choke, or cough at the breast. None of these mean you are doing anything wrong. They are simply obstacles that can be addressed with time, practice and support.

What Can Help

Some simple steps can make a big difference.

Skin-to-skin “happy breast” time

Spending time with your baby skin-to-skin without the pressure to feed right away calms you both. These relaxed moments help your baby practice rooting naturally at your bare breast and help to elicit instinctual feeding cues

Feed with cues, not by the clock

Offer your breast when your baby is showing early signs of hunger, rather than waiting until they are very upset. If a diaper change is needed, do it after the first or left breast instead of before so they stay calm and ready to feed.

Positioning and latch support

• Laid-back biological nurturing positions let gravity help your baby find your breast, self latch and stay latched. Recline on pillows with your baby lying on your chest.
• More upright holds like cradle position or cradle hold can work too, but may be harder if the baby’s head feels heavy.
• Using pillows to bring your baby up to you rather than leaning forward can keep you more comfortable.

Helping the milk flow

When your baby is latched, if your milk is not flowing, try breast compressions to keep the milk flowing. If they come off, offer your other breast instead of forcing them back on. If you need to remove them, use your finger to slide back their top lip to release the suction on your breast. 

Extra tips for a proper latch

• Wait for a wide-open mouth before bringing your baby to you
• Make sure your baby’s chin and chest are close to your breast
• Focus on getting the chin side of the areola rather than just the nipple deep into baby’s mouth
• Practice daily with patience and gentle guidance

Keeping Your Milk Flowing

Latch issues can make it seem like you’re not making enough milk, but often the milk is there. When a latch is shallow, babies can’t remove enough milk to maintain your supply. Until the latch improves:

• Hand express or pump after feeds to keep production up
• Watch for milk transfer signs rather than just timing
• Drink enough fluids and rest whenever you can

If you’re wondering how to tell the difference between a latch issue and true low supply, our post on signs and support for low milk supply explains how these often overlap.

Breast Pain? When to Reach Out

If these strategies aren’t bringing relief, that’s the time to get extra support. An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) can:

• Watch a feed and adjust positioning and latch
• Check for tongue or lip ties
• Create a step-by-step guide for latch improvement
• Show you tools like a supplemental nursing system if needed

If your baby isn’t gaining weight, has fewer wet diapers than expected, or if feeding has become very stressful or painful, those are also clear signs to reach out. Seek out professional help early on and it often turns things around quickly.

You can also look at credible video resources, such as those from Global Health Media, to see laid-back positions and when to switch sides.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Learning to breastfeed takes practice and patience. If you’re worried about whether your baby is getting enough milk, if you’re in pain, or if feeding has become a source of stress, we’re here to help. Maxine, is an experienced Registered Nurse and lactation consultant, she offers in-depth latching and positioning support. You can learn more about this service on our Latching Difficulties and Positioning Support page. Reach out at feedandthrive.ca/contact to book support and guidance tailored to you.