LC:Shallow Latch

sangarepa

Thank you so much for being here with us.  My question seems to be common to this board. 

My son is 3 months and he seems to be getting lazy about his latch. His latch is shallow and he refuses to open his mouth wide.  (Should I be concerned if he is doing fine if he is gaining more than adequately and I don't have pain?)  No matter what I do he has a mind of his own.  If I pull him off and try to correct him, he undoes my work.  I have tried pulling his chin but he is stubborn and doesn't want to relax so that I can get him to take in more breast.  If I relatch him properly, he pulls off to a shallow latch and uses my nipple like a straw.  Feedings have become a frustrating fight between us because I feel like I am spending all my time correcting him and now he is just fussing through the whole thing.

DeirdreIBCLC

Hi Sangarepa!

 

Here is my rule to live by: if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I have read your post twice now and am I correct in your saying that he is doing fine, gaining more than adequate and you don't have pain? 

There it is in a nutshell!  You're doing great. A "perfect" latch is what we all work towards and lays the ground work for an optimal milk supply and good milk transfer from breast to baby's belly.  

But if you and your sweet babe work out a system that is working, baby is thriving and you're both happy with each other, don't fight to make the latch "better", right?  It's clearly working!

Pat yourself on the back!

:-)

warmly,

DeirdreIBCLC 

sangarepa

Guess my perfection is getting the better of me.

On behalf of others, though, who keep posting to this board with the question of shallow latches, do you have any little tricks up your sleeve we haven't read about?

mum2jack&littleb

Hi Deirdre,

I have the identical problem as the PP, with the exception of PAIN.   My nipples plain hurt and, by the end of the day, I pump and give a bottle just so they don't have to be abused anymore.    Any help for me?