Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to nourish your baby, but it doesn’t always come easily. Many parents encounter challenges, especially when it comes to achieving a proper latch. A good latch is key for effective milk transfer and a comfortable nursing experience. However, factors like breast shape, baby’s positioning, and oral anatomy can make it tricky.
To address these concerns, we spoke with Abie Chow, Senior IBCLC at Hegen Lactation Centre. She shares expert insights on solving latch problems.
See the thread for full conversations.
How to Solve Common Latch Problems With Breastfeeding
Q: What role does breast shape and size play in latching issues?
Abie Chow: For most mothers, 80-90% of the time, breast shape and size do not matter. What matters is the number of milk-making glands in your breasts, and that has nothing to do with the size of our breasts (size usually has to do with fatty tissues).
However, women with very large breasts or “tube-shaped” breasts may find it more challenging to latch. Young babies may find it hard to open their mouths wide enough to latch properly onto mothers with large breasts. On the other hand, mothers with tubular-shaped breasts may experience insufficient breast tissue and glands to produce milk.
That said, most of the time, alternative methods can always be discussed and explored, especially with the help of a lactation consultant. So if this is your concern, do reach out to one!
Q: Please explain in short what is the concept of paced bottle feeding.
Abie Chow: Hi Sarah! Congratulations on your pregnancy! Very exciting times ahead 🙂 I see that you are keen to find out more about paced bottle feeding. Paced bottle feeding is essentially a way to mimic the rhythm and way of nursing, in order to minimize nipple confusion.
During paced bottle feeding, the baby is carried more upright, with the bottle tilted at a 45-degree angle. Typically, after 20 seconds of drinking, the person holding the bottle will pause the feeding for a bit, to allow for the suckle-swallow-breathe rhythm, like nursing. It is also easier for caregivers to observe when babies are full, as compared to the usual bottle-feeding method.
Here’s a quick reference for you – https://www.instagram.com/reel/CveEL00tYEi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Q: How does skin-to-skin contact between the baby and mum affect latching?
Abie Chow: Hi Sarah! Great question. Skin-to-skin is so helpful on multiple levels for both mum and bub.
In the aspect of latching, skin-to-skin induces the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps greatly with milk flow. This will enable the milk that is already in the breast to flow out more easily, also known as the Milk Ejection Reflex, or more commonly known as “milk letdown.”
While it may not necessarily mean your baby will get the “right” latch, it does mean that your breast milk is more easily available for your baby during a feeding session, encouraging him or her to be on the breast more, which then leads to greater milk production as well.
Hope this helps!
Q: How does nipple pain indicate a latch problem, and how to address this?
Abie Chow: Nipple pain is a common symptom of a poor latch or, as you’ve mentioned, “a latch problem,” as the right latch does not bring pain or sharp discomfort.
However, when an IBCLC assesses the situation, she’d probably check on other potential symptoms as well, such as clogged ducts, heavy breasts even after nursing, baby’s weight gains, and wet diapers.
Correcting the latch early is the best approach, and a lactation consultant can help! You can also try breastfeeding positions like laid-back or football hold to achieve a deeper latch.
Q: What are the key benefits of achieving a proper latch during breastfeeding?
Abie Chow:
- One of the key reasons why mums stop breastfeeding is pain. Achieving a proper latch actually leads to a more comfortable and relatively pain-free breastfeeding experience, which then motivates mothers to continue nursing their babies.
- Achieving a proper latch, or the correct latch, also means your baby is getting the breastmilk he or she needs for growth and development. The right latch allows your baby to draw in both foremilk (more watery to quench thirst) and hindmilk (which is more fatty to gain weight), and this is fantastic for them.
- The right latch also ensures your baby is helping you to remove the milk from your breasts effectively and efficiently. Regular correct latching and nursing send an important signal to your body to create more milk, helping to maintain your milk supply.
Q: How can an improper latch impact both the breastfeeding parent and the baby?
Abie Chow: Improper latch affects the breastfeeding experience for both mum and bub. The first one is most obvious—incorrect latching often results in pain during breastfeeding, from superficial nipple soreness to clogged ducts because milk isn’t removed promptly or effectively. This may cause a lot of pain and discomfort for mums, and discouragement as well.
Incorrect latching may also mean your baby isn’t getting all of the breastmilk he or she needs to grow and thrive. Long-term, it may affect their weight gain.
As the baby isn’t effectively removing the milk from the breasts well, your body may get the signal that less milk is needed, and hence milk production may slow and supply drops. This again affects the mother’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed.
As you can see, the impact and consequences of an incorrect latch are far-reaching!
Q: Can latching issues affect breastmilk supply? How does one impact the other?
Abie Chow: Hi Jen! I see that you are trying to understand if latching issues may affect breastmilk supply. The straight answer is that they do! Poor, incorrect, and shallow latch means your baby isn’t effectively removing the milk from your breasts. If this is done regularly, your body gets the signal that it actually does not need to produce so much milk since there’s milk “left” in the breasts. This will lead to a drop in your milk production and supply.
The correct latch is one of the fundamental keys to keeping a positive breastfeeding relationship going!
Q: Are there any tutorial videos on YT that can assist in achieving a better latch?
Abie Chow: Hi Jen! In this day and age, there are plenty of resources online that are able to give some pointers to help you achieve a better latch.
Based on my work experience—and not because I want to toot my own horn—mothers get the best help when they see a lactation consultant (LC) for assistance because the advice is truly based on what the professional LC or IBCLC observes about your baby’s latch. Every baby is different, and there may be deeper-lying issues that may affect the latch, such as tongue and lip ties. The LC will be able to provide clearer advice after they assess a nursing session. This is something YT or tutorial videos may not be able to share with you.
Q: Please share tips for identifying signs of a poor latch and how to correct them.
Abie Chow: Hi Laura! I see that you are keen to find out more about identifying a poor latch and how a mum can help to rectify the issue. Here are some of my suggestions:
- Very obvious – is breastfeeding painful? If it is painful, one of the key culprits is usually a poor latch. This is usually accompanied by (see the next point).
- A fussy baby who seems to be hungry “all the time”. A poor latch means the baby doesn’t often get to the calorie-rich, fatty hindmilk that keeps them full. It is actually normal for newborns to drink frequently. However, if breastfeeding is painful and if the baby has been very fussy, nursing and falling asleep at the breasts very much, you may want to see a lactation consultant to assess the latch.
- Is the baby suckling only the nipple and not taking the majority of the areola into the mouth? If you notice so during breastfeeding, you may want to break your baby’s latch and re-latch again, observing for baby’s chin resting on your breast, full round cheek.
Q: What are the best positions or holds that can assist in achieving a better latch?
Abie Chow: Hi Alice! The “best” hold is one that works for you and your baby, and that can look very different for every mum and bub!
If you have large breasts or just have had a C-section, football hold is the usual go-to.
Another breastfeeding position to consider is the laid-back position! This is especially helpful for the early newborn days to get a full, deep latch.
Hope this is useful for your consideration!
Q: Is there a certain age in a baby’s development when latch problems are more common?
Abie Chow: Hi Laura! Breastfeeding / latching issues are most common during newborn days, usually the first 2-4 weeks when both mother and baby are getting used to this new bonding activity! It does take a lot of practice to get it right for both.
There may be certain phases of development when baby may tend to nurse more. This shall not be confused for having latching issues, especially if the mother does not observe the usual common signs of a poor latch, such as pain during breastfeeding, heavy breasts after nursing, clogged ducts etc.
Q: What are some of the most frequent latch problems that breastfeeding parents encounter?
Abie Chow: The most obvious and prevalent latch problem is that of a poor latch. Most breastfeeding issues stem from that, and with correct and prompt correction, it can preserve the breastfeeding experience, protects the milk supply and make the nursing relationship a positive one. Don’t “wait” out a poor latch; seek help early!
Q: How does a mother’s diet and water intake impact the baby’s ability to latch effectively?
Abie Chow: Scientifically, a mother’s diet and water intake does NOT impact a baby’s latch. However, a healthy diet and sufficient water intake contributes directly to the mother’s wellness and milk supply for the baby.
Latching is a matter of technique and practice! Not so much diet. However, having a good diet, proper hydration and ample rest protects your milk supply and your ability to provide the best nourishment for your baby.
Q: What advice do you have for parents who are exclusively pumping due to persistent latch problems?
Abie Chow: At Hegen Lactation Centre, we believe that a pumping mum is a breastfeeding mum! You are doing a great job providing the best for your baby. Just make sure to also take care of yourself and your health, as pumping is also tough.
However, if the parents are still keen to explore a nursing relationship, it is something our team can help as well, more successfully if the baby is still young (between 1-3 months old). Latching is a technique that can be corrected and mastered under the right guidance. We do believe we are able to support that!
Q: What is the differences between a shallow latch and a deep latch, and why a deep latch is preferred?
Abie Chow: The key difference between a shallow latch and a deep latch is that a deep, correct latch is NOT painful. For first-time mums just after labour, you may feel some tugging when breastfeeding but it shouldn’t hurt, like a raw wound.
Getting a deep latch is so crucial for establishing and protecting your milk supply, and also helping your baby get to the calorie-rich hindmilk which helps with weight gain.
Thus, deep latch is always preferred; it makes such a great impact on your breastfeeding experience overall.
Q: Can you share insights on using breast/ nipple shields as a makeshift solution for latch difficulties?
Abie Chow: Nipple shields are helpful tools as temporary aids to support breastfeeding in the short term. For mothers considering nipple shields, you may like to work with a lactation consultant to wean off the shields once the latch is corrected and/or the breastfeeding relationship is more established.
Latching can be challenging, but with the right help, it can be adjusted quickly.
Q: Is there any chance of cultural or societal factors influencing latch problems? if yes, how can these be navigated?
Abie Chow: Technically, cultural or societal factors may not influence the LATCH so much as latching often is a technique work. However, cultural and/or societal factors have a huge impact on parents’ decision to BREASTFEED. One way to navigate these pressures is to do be thoroughly convinced that your breastmilk is indeed the best nourishment for your baby. Numerous scientific studies have concluded the amazing benefits of breastmilk, and how nothing quite compares to it. Once you have the data and the education about breastfeeding, it helps to explain this to especially immediate family members and friends of your decision to breastfeed. Hopefully, that provides some ground for understanding and acceptance.
Q: What are the chances of baby’s oral anatomy affecting mothers latch and what can be done if there are anatomical issues?
Abie Chow: Hi there! I see that you have a concern regarding oral anatomical issues affecting breastfeeding. I’d do my best to explain!
The most common oral anatomical issue these days is the tongue tie. Up to 5% of newborns may have tongue tie, and it is more common among boys than girls.
The best way to go about it is to get your baby assessed by a Paediatrician or a Paediatric Dentist. A release procedure may be recommended if it has been observed to affect breastfeeding.
Q: Are latch issues only related to the baby’s positioning, or can other maternal factors also contribute to latching problems?
Abie Chow: There are so many factors that may cause latch issues from both newborn and maternal sides.
For newborns, latch issues are mainly due to incorrect positioning, poor latch technique (shallow latch) and possibly anatomical as well.
On the maternal side, there may also be anatomical concerns such as short or inverted nipples, surgery to the breasts and/or nipples, medical conditions and even stress.
If you are facing challenges with breastfeeding or latching, do work with a professional to resolve it! With the right help, most mums are able to continue to breastfeed successfully.
Q: Is there any simple technique for transitioning a baby from bottle feeding back to breastfeeding after addressing latch problems?
Abie Chow: Hi Manisha! You can consider a paced bottle feeding method, which I have described in one of my answers below. Here’s also a quick reference for you as to how paced bottle feeding can be done –
www.instagram.com/p/CveEL00tYEi/
Q: How can attending a breastfeeding support group or seeking professional lactation consultation help in overcoming latch problems?
Abie Chow: It takes a village to raise a child! A breastfeeding community helps to encourage you on your very own breastfeeding journey, and may help to provide some perspective during challenging times.
A professional IBCLC can provide actual support and the right guidance to correct a latch and achieve breastfeeding comfort. For most, the relief from a good, deep latch can almost be immediate. Not only does a professional IBCLC help with very practical matters like latching, she is also most able to assist in managing your supply, sharing advice on how to care for your baby, and make breastfeeding a part of your lifestyle, rather than centering your life around breastfeeding.
If you haven’t seen a lactation consultant, I’d highly recommend you to see one, even before you give birth, as it will help with the breastfeeding preparation.
Q: For parents who have experienced latch difficulties with previous children, are there any preventive measures to consider for 2nd or 3rd pregnancy?
Abie Chow: Hi Gabrielle! I hear that you are concerned about breastfeeding challenges for the 2nd or even 3rd child. At Hegen Lactation Centre, we strongly advocate mothers to take breastfeeding in a positive light, day by day. Every child is different and unique, and as parents, we seek to understand life through our interactions with each of them.
One way to prepare ourselves before birth is to attend an antenatal class that focuses on breastfeeding, or have a consultation with a IBCLC.
For many mothers, having gained the experience the first time, they often feel more ready and at ease the second time. That translates to confidence, which allows them to undertake breastfeeding more readily. So, mental and emotional preparation is quite key to breastfeeding success.
About Abie Chow
Abie Chow is a Senior Certified Lactation Consultant, with years of experience supporting parents on their breastfeeding journeys. Passionate about maternal and infant health, she specializes in helping families overcome latch difficulties, improve milk supply, and achieve a positive nursing experience. Through expert guidance and compassionate care, Abie empowers parents with the knowledge and confidence to navigate breastfeeding challenges successfully.
Conclusion
Latch issues can be frustrating, but they’re often solvable with the right support. A lactation consultant, different positions, and reading your baby’s cues can help. Every breastfeeding journey is unique. With patience, persistence, and the right resources, you can find a solution that works for you and your baby.
Remember, you’re not alone. Support is always available to help make breastfeeding a more comfortable and fulfilling experience.