One of the first challenges for many new nursing mothers is establishing an effective latch, which is the baby’s ability to position themselves just right on the breast to transfer milk effectively.
Your baby’s latch can make or break your overall breastfeeding journey. Without a proper latch, your baby may not get the milk they need — or they will do so in a way that damages your nipple and causes pain.
Here are some common red flags to know and suggested next steps:
Red Flags | Troubleshooting Tips |
Nipple pain | Try a deeper latch. One common cause of nipple pain is a shallow latch, where the baby is only on the nipple. Your baby’s mouth should cover a significant portion of the areola. |
Baby makes a clicking sound | A clicking sound while nursing can indicate poor suction. A shallow latch sometimes causes this, but if repositioning does not help, the root cause could be a tongue or lip tie. A visit with a lactation consultant is in order! |
Milk is leaking from the corners of your baby’s mouth | One cause of milk leakage is an overactive let-down in your milk production, which creates more volume than your baby can handle. Try nursing positions that allow your baby to latch with more control, such as reclining back to slow things down. |
Baby is tucking their lips inward | Sometimes, babies need help keeping their lips turned outward. Tucking them inward can be another sign of a shallow latch. Try unlatching the baby and starting over to get a deeper latch. If it keeps happening, they may be trying to compensate for a lip or tongue tie that would need to be evaluated by a lactation consultant. |
What does an ideal latch look like? Check out this video on deep latch breastfeeding from Kassi Reyes, a registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant.
Note: Even if your baby is not showing these red flags, any nursing pain or concerns relating to milk intake should be raised with a lactation consultant. Latching difficulties can vary widely, and it’s not uncommon for you to need a few different strategies and positioning tricks.