How To Get A Deep Latch With Small Mouth

So you've got a little baby with a teeny, tiny mouth and you're trying to breastfeed.

You’ve got a tiny newborn and a tiny mouth, and breastfeeding can feel a little tricky.

The key is a deep, comfortable latch. A good latch helps your baby feed effectively and keeps you from discomfort.

The goal is to help your little one open wide enough to latch deeply. With a few gentle adjustments and a bit of patience, feeding can become easier and more comfortable for both of you.

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Deep Latch vs Shallow Latch

A good latch is more than just getting your baby’s mouth on the nipple. The goal is a deep, comfortable latch where your baby takes in not just the nipple, but enough of the surrounding areola to feed effectively.

When this happens, the nipple is positioned comfortably inside your baby’s mouth, supported by the soft tissue around it. This allows your baby to feed efficiently while keeping you comfortable.

A shallow latch, on the other hand, is when your baby is only on the tip of the nipple. This can make feeding less effective and may lead to soreness or discomfort. Focusing on a deep latch sets both you and your baby up for a better breastfeeding experience.

Deep Latch Checklist 

NOTE: If your baby is a preemie or needs extra assistance because deep latch techniques don’t work, a small nipple shield may be used with the assistance of an IBCLC. A nipple shield is a thin, silicon cover for the nipple and areola that provides more structure for the baby.

Get Into Latching Position

• Hold your baby close, keeping your own posture tall and supported. A straight spine helps make feeding more comfortable for both of you.

• Position your baby tummy-to-tummy, facing you, so you’re eye-to-eye and fully connected.

• Support their head gently, tilting it slightly so they have a clear path to the breast.

• Remember: bring your baby to the breast, not the other way around. This helps encourage a proper, deep latch and makes feeding smoother for both of you.

Initiate The Latch

• Use the “sandwich hold” for your breast: gently support it between your thumb and fingers, keeping your fingers flat on the chest wall and your thumb pointing up. You can let go once your baby latches.

• Lightly brush your nipple against your baby’s lips to encourage them to open wide. When their mouth opens fully, bring them to the breast, positioning their chin to make contact first.

• Support the back of your baby’s head gently and tip it slightly back so their top lip can meet the nipple. Wait until their mouth is fully open, then guide them to the breast.

• Once their mouth is wide, tilt their head back slightly and bring them in, keeping their chin leading the way. Position the nipple between their nose and top lip, making sure their lower lip has room to latch deeply and draw milk effectively.

Assess the latch-on

• Check that baby’s chin is touching breast

• Check for some flanged lips and a whopping 140 degree mouth opening - the bigger the better for a mouthful of areola!

• Off-center latch, not a bulls-eye centered latch (baby’s lower jaw is far below the nipple and you see more of the areola above your baby's top lip than below their bottom lip)

• Baby's cheeks look full and rounded as they feed; You can see and hear regular sucking and swallowing

• Feeding should not be painful… only a gentle pulling sensation is normal with a deep, effective latch.

NOTE: Most importantly, make sure your nipples aren't in pain. If they are, call in an IBCLC to help you out. Find an IBCLC near you.

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