When baby is not latching - What to do.

Newborn crying B&W by Jessica Hearn

When Breastfeeding Isn’t The Start You Expected

When you were pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, you might have worried about sore nipples, feeding “all the time”, or how you'd ever feed in public.

You probably didn’t imagine this:

• a baby who won’t stay on the breast.

• a baby who seems to “push off” or become distressed.

• hours of trying… and barely any milk going in.

It’s frightening and lonely when breastfeeding doesn’t begin the way everyone told you it would. All those videos of babies doing the “breast crawl” and self-attaching can leave parents feeling confused and worried when their own baby simply won’t.

This blog is for those early days when a baby has not yet managed to latch effectively and transfer milk, or only did so a handful of times.

The reassuring truth: many families still go on to successfully breastfeed after a difficult start, with the right support.

What “Not Latching” Can Look Like

You might recognise some of the following:

• Baby bobbing around the breast, unable to attach.

• Baby latching briefly but doing almost no sucking and no swallowing

• Baby slipping off repeatedly

• Baby falling asleep instantly at the breast

• Hours passing with minimal milk transfer

This isn’t something you’ve done wrong. There are usually reasons behind it.

Why Newborns Sometimes Struggle To Latch

Birth experiences

Some pain relief, very fast labours, long labours or instrumental deliveries can leave babies sleepy, disorganised or uncomfortable for the first couple of days.

Body discomfort

Forceps or ventouse deliveries can cause temporary bruising around the head and neck, making wide, sustained mouth opening uncomfortable.

Slightly early babies

Babies born around 36–38 weeks often look full-term but may be:

• very sleepy.

• uncoordinated.

• unable to sustain sucking long enough.

Oral anatomy

Tongue-tie, a high palate or restricted tongue movement can make deep attachment difficult.

Overstimulation

Busy wards, bright lights and constant handling can overwhelm newborns, making them withdraw from the breast.

Sometimes there’s a clear reason. Sometimes there isn’t. Either way you still have options and it doesn't mean the end of your breastfeeding journey.

When Baby Isn’t Latching: The Priorities

There are three essential steps:

1. Don’t panic

2. Feed the baby

3. Protect your milk supply

   
   

While doing those, we gently keep giving baby low-pressure opportunities to practise at the breast.

1. Don’t Panic

Easier said than done but it does matters.

You’re not failing. Your baby is not rejecting you. Breastfeeding difficulties are far more common than people realise, and many parents overcome them with support.

2. Feed The Baby

We keep baby fed while they figure things out. A hungry, exhausted baby generally finds latching harder so we give baby a little extra milk to keep energy up while he is learning to feed at the breast.

Ways to feed if baby isn’t latching:

• Syringe feeding.

• Finger feeding.

• Spoon or cup feeding.

• Paced bottle-feeding if that’s the most practical option.

Amounts are small in the early days , drops to teaspoons of colostrum are normal.

The aim is not to fill baby with huge volumes, but to keep them hydrated, energised and stable while they learn. https://www.breastfeedingsupportnorwich.com/post/feeding-your-baby-without-bottleswhy-cups-are-brilliant-from-birth-to-toddlerhood

3. Protect Your Milk Supply

If baby isn’t removing milk well, your breasts still need the message to keep making milk.

That usually means:

• Hand-expressing colostrum

• Moving on to pumping after the first day or so

• Aiming for 8 expressions in 24 hours (please seek support from qualified breastfeeding support as this can be overwhelming)

• Including at least one overnight session. https://www.breastfeedingsupportnorwich.com/post/expressing-pumping 

This protects future breastfeeding, reduces engorgement and gives you milk for top-ups.

4. Keep Gently Working On Breastfeeding

While baby is fed and your supply is protected, we keep offering chances to practise.

Skin-to-skin

This helps regulate baby’s body and switches on instinctive feeding behaviours. https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/implementing-standards-resources/skin-to-skin-contact/

Offer the breast when baby is calm

Trying when baby is screaming hungry rarely works.

Try different positions

Laid-back breastfeeding can help babies organise themselves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WSQzz1uqiI

Combine small top-ups with attempts at the breast

A few millilitres can give baby enough energy to try again.

Tools that may help

• Nipple shields (only with trained support)

• Breast compressions  https://www.breastfeedingsupportnorwich.com/post/breast-compressions-switch-nursing-helping-your-baby-get-more-milk

• Supplementers for giving top-ups at the breast

Skilled, in-person support can guide you.

Getting Support: Practical Options

When latching isn’t happening, it’s important to have places you can turn for clear information and hands-on help.

• National Breastfeeding Helpline Open 24/7 with trained breastfeeding supporters who can talk things through and help you make a plan.Phone: 0300 100 0212

• Local breastfeeding clinics In-person support offering latch help, feeding assessments, positioning, weight checks and troubleshooting.

• Peer support groups Trained volunteers and other parents who’ve been through similar challenges can offer understanding and practical ideas.

• Mental health support Feeding difficulties, exhaustion and birth recovery can affect your emotional wellbeing. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, low or anxious, speak with your GP, midwife, health visitor or perinatal mental health team.

What To Do Tonight If Your Baby Won’t Latch

(A quick guide for the 2am moment)

• Skin-to-skin: baby in nappy on your bare chest.

• Offer the breast when baby is calm

• Try laid-back positioning

• Hand express a little colostrum

• Give a small top-up, then try again

• Express or pump if baby hasn’t fed

• Keep a note of nappy output

• Call the NBH if you want to talk it through: 0300 100 0212

You’re learning together. By feeding your baby in other ways and protecting your milk supply, you’re holding the door open for breastfeeding to develop when your baby is ready.

Red Flags: When To Seek Urgent Medical Advice

Contact your midwife, GP, triage, 111 or A&E if:

• Fewer than 2 wet nappies on day 2, or fewer than 6 a day after day 5 https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/mothers_breastfeeding_checklist.pdf

• baby is very sleepy, floppy, hard to rouse or not waking for feeds

• baby hasn’t fed at all for 6 hours

• Jaundice is worsening

• Breathing seems fast, noisy or effortful

• you have fever, breast redness or severe pain you feel unwell.

These don’t necessarily mean something is seriously wrong, but they do need prompt review.

As Your Breastfeeding Journey Continues

Early latching difficulties don’t define the rest of your breastfeeding journey. Many babies take time to learn these skills, and progress often happens gradually. This early stage can feel overwhelming, but latching difficulties now don’t predict the future. Babies learn, parents learn, and things change quickly in the newborn weeks.

Marion Frey-AlQurashi Breastfeding Counsellor & Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner.