Below are some common latch problems and how to deal with them.
- Are you in pain? Many moms say their breasts feel tender when they first start breastfeeding. A mother and her baby need time to find comfortable breastfeeding positions and a good latch. If breastfeeding hurts, your baby may be sucking on only the nipple, and not also on the areola (the darker skin around the nipple).
Gently break your baby\’s suction to your breast by placing a clean finger in the corner of your baby\’s mouth. Then try again to get your baby to latch on. To find out if your baby is sucking only on your nipple, check what your nipple looks like when it comes out of your baby\’s mouth. Your nipple should not look flat or compressed. It should look round and long or the same shape as it was before the feeding.
Get answers to common questions about breastfeeding and pain.
- Are you or your baby frustrated? Take a short break and hold your baby in an upright position. Try holding your baby between your breasts with your skin touching his or her skin (called skin-to-skin). Talk or sing to your baby, or give your baby one of your fingers to suck on for comfort. Try to breastfeed again in a little while.
- Does your baby have a weak suck or make only tiny sucking movements? Your baby may not have a deep enough latch to suck the milk from your breast. Gently break your baby\’s suction to your breast by placing a clean finger in the corner of your baby\’s mouth. Then try to get your baby to latch on again. Talk with a lactation consultant or pediatrician if you are not sure if your baby is getting enough milk. But don\’t worry. A weak suck is rarely caused by a health problem.
- Could your baby be tongue-tied? Babies with a tight or short lingual frenulum (the piece of tissue attaching the tongue to the floor of the mouth) are described as \”tongue-tied.\” The medical term is ankyloglossia. These babies often find it hard to nurse. They may be unable to extend their tongue past their lower gum line or properly cup the breast during a feed. This can cause slow weight gain in the baby and nipple pain in the mother. If you think your baby may be tongue-tied, talk to your doctor.
You can get more information on Breastfeeding and related subjects on Women’s Health.gov