If you’re struggling with baby not latching properly, there are numerous reasons that may be causing this. Low muscle tone, nipple confusion, or a tongue tie may be preventing your baby from latching on effectively. Read this article to learn more.
Solving Baby Latching Problem While Breastfeeding
Why is your baby not latching?
If you’re struggling with baby not latching properly, there are numerous reasons that may be causing this. Low muscle tone, nipple confusion, or a tongue tie may be preventing your baby from latching on effectively. Another common issue is baby not sucking after a proper latch, which may be causing them to underfeed. To solve the issue of improper latching, it is first very important to understand the cause of baby not latching, so that you can take appropriate action regarding it.
One important thing to keep in mind is that while babies do instinctually know the breastfeeding process, and their natural suckling instincts kick in very quickly, they do still need time to adjust to the breastfeeding process. If your baby is less than a month old, be patient if they are struggling with latching and breastfeeding. It is perfectly natural for it to take a few weeks for them to become totally comfortable with the ins and outs of breastfeeding.
If your issue is baby refusing breast after bottle feeding, then your baby may be suffering from nipple confusion. Nipple confusion, contrary to the name, is not necessarily when your baby cannot tell the different between a natural and an artificial nipple, but when it cannot get accustomed to the difference between the two. This is especially common when bottle feeding is introduced too early before baby has a chance to get fully accustomed to breast feeding in the first place, or when using an artificial nipple that does not mimic the human breast to a well enough degree. From a baby’s perspective, feeding from a bottle is considerably easier than feeding from a breast, which is why they often prefer it to nursing directly. If they are not fully comfortable with breastfeeding before they begin bottle feeding, it will be tough for them to make the switch back and forth.
There may also be an underlying medical condition that could be preventing your child from latching on effectively. If your child was born with a low birth weight, especially in the case of premature birth, there is a chance that your baby has what is known as ‘low muscle tone’ that can lead to baby not latching, or baby not sucking. Low muscle tone refers to a birth condition where the baby’s muscles are not fully developed yet, so they struggle with common physical actions. This can include holding head upright comfortably, suckling, swallowing, or even being comfortable in a breastfeeding position. While low muscle tone is a problem that can be solved in the long term, in the short term it does make nursing much more difficult. Fortunately, there are certain nursing positions that may make it easier for a baby with low muscle tone to latch on properly.
Along with low muscle tone, any birth defects that affect your baby’s palette, mouth, tongue or lips will greatly impact their ability to latch properly, and in turn to breastfeed properly. Some of these conditions are very well known, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, and can be seen readily with the naked eye. In most cases, they require minor surgery and do not leave any long-term impacts. A tongue tie is another, lesser known oral condition that can impact a baby’s ability to breastfeed effectively. Essentially, a tongue tie occurs when the frenulum (the webbing underneath the tongue that attaches it to the bottom of the mouth and jaw) is too short, or too thick, and does not allow for an effective range of motion. Since breastfeeding requires babies to use their tongues to stimulate the let down and expression process to begin, a tongue tie can greatly hamper their ability to do so. While some tongue ties are very clearly visible, only a medical professional can make the diagnosis of a tongue-tied baby. Surgical and non-surgical procedures are available to cope with the challenges of baby not latching properly due to tongue tie, so it is important to consult a medical professional at the earliest if you suspect it.
If you’re struggling with lactation, specialized lactation consultations can help you with every part of the process. It is important to remember that many moms face issues with breastfeeding, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. If you’re struggling with baby not latching, do not be alarmed – there are a wealth of options and resources for you to rely on to understand your way around the process better and get on the way to healthy nursing.
Top 5 nursing techniques that can help
A proper latch is a crucial part of ensuring smooth feeding sessions. Without a proper latch, your baby may end up underfed or with excess gas, while you may end up with soreness and severe discomfort over time. There are numerous different breastfeeding positions that you can try to suit you and your baby’s individual needs. In addition to changing up the position, here a few different tips you can use to help your baby get a good latch if they are struggling to do so regularly.
Use a breastfeeding support pillow (or any other)
Using a specialty breastfeeding pillow will allow both mom and baby to relieve the pressure on their muscles while breastfeeding. This makes it easier for both you and your baby to focus on getting a good latch, instead of holding their body in position. The ease and comfort of it may help your baby get used to the process of breastfeeding sooner. If your baby has low muscle tone this may be especially useful for them. If you cannot get a specialized breastfeeding pillow, you can use a normal pillow instead – just make sure that the size is comfortable for you to hold in your lap and rest your baby on, that it is not uncomfortable for your little one, and that the material will be easy to clean.
Keep your baby’s ear, shoulder and hip aligned straight
Make sure your baby’s spine is oriented straight in whichever breastfeeding position you choose to go with. Having them upright on your knee or lying down on top of you may make this easier if they have low muscle tone. This makes a significant difference in latching and breastfeeding, since babies struggle to swallow effectively when their body is not aligned in a straight line.
Aim your nipple towards baby’s upper lip/nose, not the middle of the mouth
While the nipple has to go as far back into baby’s mouth as possible, the position of the tongue and lips around the nipple is crucial for an effective latch. Baby’s will latch on properly and be able to use their tongues to stimulate the nipple only if the angle and position of insert is high enough to let them use their tongue effectively. Lightly press the nipple against the upper lip and nose until they open up and latch on.
Do not force the nipple and wiggle the mouth open – move back and try again
It may seem like simply getting the nipple into baby’s mouth would be the first step to getting a good latch, but it is important for your baby to latch on themselves. Simply forcing the nipple into their mouth is not enough for them to start suckling properly as they have to position in a way where the nipple is placed far back in the mouth and they can use their tongue to stimulate the let-down reflex. It may be frustrating at first, but if your baby simply refuses to open their mouth and latch on, simple move back, wait a little while and try again.
If mixing breast and bottle, set a routine and follow it
One major reason for baby refusing breast after bottle feeding is that they may simply be struggling to cope with switching between the two different methods – also known as nipple confusion. One way that this problem can be fixed is by setting a routine of bottle and breastfeeding and following it. For example, breastfeeding for the first and last feeds of the day, and bottle feeding through the rest of the day. This gives baby a chance to get accustomed to both, and to get used to knowing what to expect at different times of the day. Be patient – it may take a while for both you and baby to get used to the routine, but it will make feeding time much easier in the long run.
In addition to these techniques, remember that all breastfeeding positions have their own pros and cons. Every baby is different and so is every mom, so check out different positions that you can try until you find one that works for you. If you’re still struggling with breastfeeding after trying the home remedies and different positions, it may be a good idea to reach out to a lactation consultant who can help you get to the root of your problem and help you move beyond it. If you suspect a medical condition as the underlying cause, consult a medical professional at the earliest.
