My breastfed baby won’t latch onto the breast
By Emma O’Dwyer, Speech and Language Therapist, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Founder of Baby Speak
Some babies struggle to latch onto the breast, especially in the first few weeks of life when breastfeeding is being established. Remember that breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby learn together; it takes time, practice, and support to feel confident.
It can be extremely stressful when your baby is struggling to latch, but there are steps you can take to make it easier.
How to Help Your Baby Latch to the Breast
Hand express some milk onto your nipple so your baby can smell and taste it.
Read your baby’s communication cues (or “hunger cues”) so you can offer a feed before your baby becomes distressed. Crying is a late hunger cue and can make latching more difficult.
Spend time in skin-to-skin contact with your baby so they can access your breast more easily when they’re ready to feed.
Try a laid-back position where your baby can root, seek, and self-attach at their own pace.
Soften full breasts by expressing a small amount of milk if they feel firm - this helps your baby latch more comfortably.
Limit visitors in the early weeks to give you and your baby time to bond and focus on feeding. The more uninterrupted time you spend together, the more you’ll both learn from one another.
For ongoing feeding support, visit our Feeding Therapy and IBCLC Lactation Support page to learn how Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) with additional IBCLC Lactation Consultant qualifications can help.
Ideal Positioning to Support Effective Latch and Milk Transfer
Hold your baby close so their nose is level with your nipple.
Keep their head and body in line, facing you (avoid twisting).
Support their neck and shoulders while allowing their head to tilt back naturally.
Baby’s chin should touch your breast as they open their mouth wide.
Their nose should remain free, and their mouth should cover a large portion of the areola (more below the nipple than above).
If you’re unsure whether your baby is latching effectively, explore our Feeding and Early Communication resources for practical guidance.
Hold your baby close so that their nose is level with your nipple (2).
Make sure baby’s head and body are in line and facing you (no twisting or turning).
Support your baby’s back and neck but leave their head free so that they can tilt their head back as they open their mouth wide to attach.
Baby’s chin should touch your breast as they tilt their head back and open their mouth wide.
Baby’s chin should be touching your breast, their nose is not usually squashed against your breast.
Baby’s mouth is wide open with a large mouthful of breast.
There will be more areola visible above baby’s top lip than below their bottom lip.
Signs of an Effective Latch
Baby’s chin touches your breast, nose free, and mouth wide open with a large mouthful of breast.
More areola visible above the top lip than below the bottom lip.
Breastfeeding feels comfortable with no nipple pain before, during, or after feeds.
Baby appears calm and rhythmic in their sucking and swallowing.
You may hear or see swallows (a quiet “ka” sound).
Your nipple remains its normal shape and colour after feeds.
Baby detaches themselves at the end of a feed, appearing content.
Baby has regular wet and dirty nappies (see our upcoming newborn feeding and nappy pattern guide).
Signs Your Baby May Not Be Latching Well
You experience pain during or after feeds.
Nipples appear misshapen, white, or cracked.
Blocked ducts or mastitis develop.
Baby becomes distressed or pulls away from the breast.
Feeds are long and frequent with baby still appearing hungry or unsettled.
Slow or limited weight gain (losing more than 10% of birth weight or not regaining by 3 weeks).
Unusual stool patterns — for example, green or watery stools after day 4.
Sometimes, discomfort after feeding may be linked to reflux, cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) or oral motor coordination difficulties. A feeding-focused Speech and Language Therapist or IBCLC Lactation Consultant can help identify whether feeding challenges are due to discomfort, latch technique, or underlying conditions.
When to Seek Feeding Support from an IBCLC
IBCLC Lactation Consultants are internationally qualified experts in breastfeeding and feeding challenges. They can assess your baby’s latch, positioning, and oral skills, and provide strategies to support both comfort and milk transfer.
At Baby Speak, our dual-qualified Speech and Language Therapists and IBCLC Lactation Consultants offer comprehensive feeding support - helping you and your baby thrive together.
We provide:
Individual feeding assessments at home, online, or in our Harley Street clinic.
Expert guidance on latching, milk transfer, and positioning.
Support for tongue tie concerns, oral motor development, and bottle/breast transitions.
Family-centred advice that integrates feeding and communication therapy.
If your baby is struggling to latch, don’t wait - book a consultation with one of our IBCLC specialists today.
References
Hallas, A.-L. (2018) Breastfeeding positions, Lansinoh.
The Breastfeeding Network (2023). My baby won’t latch on.
Baby Friendly Initiative (2023). Off to the Best Start leaflet.
The Breastfeeding Network (2023). How to breastfeed.
NCT (2022). Is my baby getting enough milk?
Emma O’Dwyer
Speech and Language Therapist, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Founder of Baby Speak
