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When Baby Won’t Latch: Strategies to Help
When Baby Won’t Latch: Strategies to HelpWhen you are breastfeeding your baby, it’s important to get a good latch. It takes practice, both for you andyour baby. But you can do it. Getting your baby to latch on properly will ensure he is getting enough breastmilkwhile at the same time protecting your nipples.There are several reasons why babies may not be latching properly including: being premature, medicationsgiven to mom during labor and delivery, Down Syndrome, health conditions like infection, congenital heartdefects or Jaundice. Or conditions like a Tongue-Tie or a Cleft lip.Even if your baby does not have these conditions, she could still have a poor latch. So, it’s important torecognize when your baby is not latching on properly and correct it. The signs of a poor latch include:sleepiness – your baby may not wake up to signal her own feedings; your baby latches onto your breast andlets go over and over; he pushes the breast away or refuses to latch; he falls asleep within 2-3 minutes oflatching on, he does not suck continuously for a full feed; or he has trouble feeding from other methodsincluding bottles.You may also experience symptoms of a poor latch that make it difficult to breastfeed your baby like painlasting the duration of a feed, sore or bruised nipples, red, scraped or cracked nipples, misshapen nipples afterfeeding and lack of feeling that the breasts are empty after feeding.Another cause of a poor latch could be your breast may be too full of milk or engorged. When your breasts areengorged, your milk ducts press against your nipples. The areola gets too hard or too flat for the baby to get adeep latch. You can relieve the engorgement by manually expressing enough milk to soften your breast.Another way to help your baby latch when your breasts are engorged is a technique called Reverse PressureSoftening. In reverse pressure softening, gentle pressure softens a 1 to 2 inch area of the areola surroundingthe base of the nipple, temporarily moving some swelling slightly backward and upward in the breast.It’s best to practice this technique immediately before each attempt to latch, for as many feedings as needed.Breastfeeding is natural but it can still be frustrating when you and your baby are just starting out. Here aresome steps you can take to help your baby latch on properly.Wake your baby every 2-3 hours to breastfeed if she is not signaling for food. Be patient. Give your babyenough time to master the technique. You are both learning. When breastfeeding is established, keep track ofyour baby’s urine and stools to make sure she is going regularly. This will help you know she’s getting enoughbreastmilk.“We expect them to have four to five dirty diapers a day. We know, then, that they’re getting enoughmilk. Is the baby crying too often? Are you sure you are nursing long enough? And then whether or notthe baby’s gaining weight. Weight gain is the most important in the first two weeks.”You may want to use a device designed to help with breastfeeding such as a Nipple Shield or a Feeding Tube.A nipple shield is a thin piece of silicone or latex that covers the areola and nipple. It can help your baby’s latchor protect damaged nipples, but you should meet with a lactation consultant prior to using these as they areoften used incorrectly or when they are not needed.A feeding tube is taped to your breast or your finger and helps your baby get your previously pumped milk froma container while nursing. Skin to skin contact during breastfeeding can trigger your baby’s instinct to latch onThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG56253A EN WhenBabyWontLatchStrategiesToHelp.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2When Baby Won’t Latch: Strategies to Helpand helps you and your baby bond. If your baby is still not latching on, talk to your pediatrician or lactationconsultant and schedule an appointment.Your pediatrician and lactation consultant can coach and guide you through breastfeeding. Breastfeeding canbe challenging, but remember it takes time to figure out what works best for you and your baby. Be patient anddon’t give up on your worst day. It’s worth it.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG56253A EN WhenBabyWontLatchStrategiesToHelp.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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