Take a deep breath, mama.
If your baby is struggling to latch, you are not alone — and you are not doing anything wrong.

Latching is one of the most foundational parts of breastfeeding… yet it’s rarely something we’re taught how to do. No wonder so many of us feel lost, frustrated, and like we’re failing in those early days.

Let’s start by reframing that:

👉 A baby who isn’t latching isn’t broken.
👉 A mom who’s struggling isn’t failing.

It simply means support is needed — and that’s what I’m here for.

💭 Why Addressing Latch Matters (For Both Baby and You)

When latching is difficult or painful, it’s easy to focus solely on the baby’s side:
👉 Is my baby getting enough milk? Are they gaining weight?

But here’s the truth: breastfeeding is a dyad experience. It’s a dance between two people — and when one is struggling, the other feels it too.

• A poor latch can lead to inefficient milk transfer, which affects your baby’s intake and growth

• But it can also lead to breast pain, cracked nipples, engorgement, and eventually a decrease in milk supply

• Emotionally, it can lead to frustration, anxiety, and even early weaning — all of which take a toll on you

By supporting your baby’s latch, you’re not only ensuring they’re getting the nourishment they need — you’re also protecting your body, your milk supply, and your emotional well-being.
And you deserve that, too.

🔍 What’s Going On When Baby Won’t Latch?

There are a few common reasons babies struggle to latch:

• Baby is still learning and adjusting to life outside the womb

• Baby may have a tongue-tie, lip-tie, tight jaw, or birth trauma

• Your milk flow is too fast or too slow, making feeding frustrating

• Baby is sleepy or not fully alert during feedings

No matter the reason, there are gentle, supportive things you can try — without forcing it or stressing either of you out.

💡 Step-by-Step: Supporting a Better Latch

1. Skin-to-skin time matters
Spend 10–15 minutes skin-to-skin before feeding. It calms you both and encourages instinctive feeding behaviors.

2. Start with a calm, alert baby
If your baby is too sleepy, try a diaper change or gentle massage to help them wake up a bit before nursing.

3. Use the “nipple sandwich”
Compress your breast with your fingers to help baby get a deep latch. Aim for nose-to-nipple and chin-to-breast.

4. Try different positions
Laid-back (aka biological nurturing) lets baby lead. Football or cross-cradle holds give you more control if needed.

5. Don’t push — guide
Support baby’s neck and allow them to tilt their head back. Forcing the head forward can prevent a deep, natural latch.

💬 Still Struggling?

Try these supportive tools:

• Breast massage before feeding to stimulate letdown and soften the breast

• A nipple shield to help baby latch more easily (especially if you have flat nipples or baby has a shallow latch)
  👉 Here is a video to help you insert your nipple shield (go to minute 2:06 directly for the tutorial)

And if nothing seems to help, reach out to a lactation professional. Sometimes, a trained eye can spot something you can’t see — and one tweak can change everything.

🌿 Remember…

Breastfeeding is never just about milk. It’s about connection, communication, and mutual support. Your baby deserves to be nourished — and so do you.

The latch is just the beginning, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. Don’t hesitate to get help. You’re doing an amazing job.

Final Words

If you're ready to not just fix the latch, but support your entire milk-making system — body, mind, and environment — I invite you to explore The MILK Method.

It’s my step-by-step approach designed to help you increase your milk supply naturally, without burning out, over-pumping, or second-guessing yourself.

👉 Learn more about The MILK Method here