Breastfeeding Latch: How to Get a Deeper, More Comfortable Latch

Written & Medically Reviewed by Dr. G
Board-Certified Pediatrician · About Dr. G

Breastfeeding may be natural, but a comfortable latch often takes practice for both mother and baby.

When the latch is deep and effective, your baby can usually remove milk more efficiently and breastfeeding becomes more comfortable.

When the latch is shallow, the nipple stays too far forward in the baby's mouth and can become compressed.

That can lead to nipple pain, cracking, poor milk transfer, repeated long feedings, and eventually concerns about milk supply.

What Does a Good Breastfeeding Latch Look Like?

CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics describe several reassuring signs of an effective latch. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

• Your baby's mouth is open wide.
• The lips are turned outward.
• The chin rests against the breast.
• Your baby's head is straight rather than sharply turned to the side.
• Your baby's chest and abdomen face your body.
• Your baby takes in breast tissue rather than sucking on the nipple alone.
• You can see or hear regular swallowing during active feeding.

The latch does not need to look perfectly symmetrical. A slightly asymmetric latch, with more breast tissue in the lower part of the baby's mouth, can help position the nipple farther back.

How Do You Get a Deeper Breastfeeding Latch?

Why Does Waiting for a Wide-Open Mouth Matter?

One of the most common causes of a shallow latch is bringing the baby onto the breast before the mouth opens widely enough.

If your baby closes onto the nipple alone, the nipple stays near the front of the mouth and may become compressed.

AAP guidance emphasizes waiting for a wide-open mouth before bringing the baby toward the breast. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

What Is the C-Hold or “Sandwich” Technique?

Gently shaping the breast may make it easier for a newborn to take a deeper latch.

Place your thumb on one side of the breast and your fingers on the other, well behind the areola. This is commonly called a C-hold.

Gentle compression can narrow the breast slightly so your baby can take a larger mouthful.

Keep your fingers far enough behind the areola that they do not interfere with the baby's mouth.

How Can I Tell If the Latch Is Too Shallow?

CDC lists several signs that a latch may not be working well. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

• Persistent nipple pain during feeding
• A pinching or biting sensation
• Your baby's lips curling inward
• Your baby sucking mainly on the nipple
• Clicking sounds
• Cheeks repeatedly dimpling inward
• Your baby repeatedly slipping off the breast
• Little or no swallowing
• Your nipple appearing flattened, creased, or misshapen after feeding
• Cracked or bleeding nipples

What Should I Do If the Latch Hurts?

Do not simply continue through significant pain.

If the latch remains painful after the first several sucks, insert a clean finger gently into the corner of your baby's mouth to release suction. Then reposition and try again.

Avoid pulling your baby directly off while suction is still present.

Should Breastfeeding Hurt at First?

Some nipple sensitivity may occur during the first days.

But significant pain that continues throughout the feeding is not something you should simply accept.

AAP guidance notes that discomfort may occur initially, but continuing pain after the first minute or so can signal an improper latch. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Persistent pain also has causes other than latch, including nipple trauma, dermatitis, vasospasm, infection, and breast inflammation.

If the nipple itself is becoming damaged, see Sore & Cracked Nipples From Breastfeeding: Causes, Treatment & When to Get Help.

Why Does My Baby Make Clicking Sounds While Breastfeeding?

Repeated clicking usually means your baby is repeatedly losing suction.

A shallow latch is one possible cause, but clicking can also occur with very fast milk flow or difficulty maintaining an effective seal.

If clicking occurs during most feeds—especially along with nipple pain, repeated slipping off, poor swallowing, or inadequate weight gain—have the entire feeding observed.

Why Does My Nipple Look Flattened After Breastfeeding?

Your nipple should generally look similar in shape after feeding.

If it repeatedly comes out flattened, creased, pinched, or shaped like the tip of a new lipstick, it may have been compressed during the feed.

CDC includes flattened or misshapen nipples after breastfeeding among signs of a poor latch. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Can a Shallow Latch Affect Milk Supply?

Yes, when a shallow latch prevents effective milk removal.

Milk production responds in part to how frequently and effectively milk is removed from the breasts.

A baby may spend a long time attached but still remove relatively little milk.

CDC specifically recommends an effective latch as part of establishing a full milk supply. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

If you are worried that your baby is not receiving enough, see How Do I Know If My Breastfed Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?.

How Do I Know the Deeper Latch Is Working?

Look for improvement in both comfort and milk transfer.

• The latch feels more like pulling than pinching.
• Your baby's mouth remains wide.
• The lips stay turned outward.
• The chin remains against the breast.
• The cheeks remain rounded.
• You see or hear regular swallowing.
• Your baby stays attached rather than repeatedly slipping off.
• Your nipple looks relatively normal after the feeding.

What If My Baby Still Won't Latch Deeply?

If several careful attempts do not improve the latch, do not assume you simply need to “try harder.”

Possible contributors include:

• positioning,
• significant breast fullness or engorgement,
• flat or inverted nipples,
• a sleepy or premature baby,
• oral-motor difficulties, or
• anatomy that interferes with tongue movement or suction.

If your baby is struggling to latch at all, see Baby Won't Latch: Common Causes and What to Try.

Could Tongue-Tie Cause a Shallow Latch?

It can contribute in some babies when tongue movement is significantly restricted.

But tongue-tie should not be assumed to be the cause of every shallow or painful latch. The entire feeding and the baby's tongue function should be evaluated.

See Tongue-Tie and Breastfeeding: Signs, Diagnosis & When Treatment Helps.

What If My Breasts Are Too Full for My Baby to Latch?

When the breast and areola are very firm from fullness or engorgement, a newborn may have difficulty taking enough breast tissue into the mouth.

Expressing a small amount of milk by hand or pump before attempting to latch may soften the areola enough to make attachment easier.

The goal is not to empty the breast. It is simply to soften the area around the nipple enough for your baby to latch.

When Should I Get Help With My Baby's Latch?

When Does a Feeding Problem Need More Urgent Medical Attention?

Frequently Asked Questions

References