If you’re struggling with baby not latching properly, there are numerous reasons that may be causing this. Low muscle tone, nipple confusion, or a tongue tie may be preventing your baby from latching on effectively. Another common issue is baby not sucking after a proper latch, which may be causing them to underfeed. To solve the issue of improper latching, it is first very important to understand the cause of baby not latching, so that you can take appropriate action regarding it.
One important thing to keep in mind is that while babies do instinctually know the breastfeeding process, and their natural suckling instincts kick in very quickly, they do still need time to adjust to the breastfeeding process. If your baby is less than a month old, be patient if they are struggling with latching and breastfeeding. It is perfectly natural for it to take a few weeks for them to become totally comfortable with the ins and outs of breastfeeding.
If your issue is baby refusing breast after bottle feeding, then your baby may be suffering from nipple confusion. Nipple confusion, contrary to the name, is not necessarily when your baby cannot tell the different between a natural and an artificial nipple, but when it cannot get accustomed to the difference between the two. This is especially common when bottle feeding is introduced too early before baby has a chance to get fully accustomed to breast feeding in the first place, or when using an artificial nipple that does not mimic the human breast to a well enough degree. From a baby’s perspective, feeding from a bottle is considerably easier than feeding from a breast, which is why they often prefer it to nursing directly. If they are not fully comfortable with breastfeeding before they begin bottle feeding, it will be tough for them to make the switch back and forth.
There may also be an underlying medical condition that could be preventing your child from latching on effectively. If your child was born with a low birth weight, especially in the case of premature birth, there is a chance that your baby has what is known as ‘low muscle tone’ that can lead to baby not latching, or baby not sucking. Low muscle tone refers to a birth condition where the baby’s muscles are not fully developed yet, so they struggle with common physical actions. This can include holding head upright comfortably, suckling, swallowing, or even being comfortable in a breastfeeding position. While low muscle tone is a problem that can be solved in the long term, in the short term it does make nursing much more difficult. Fortunately, there are certain nursing positions that may make it easier for a baby with low muscle tone to latch on properly.
Along with low muscle tone, any birth defects that affect your baby’s palette, mouth, tongue or lips will greatly impact their ability to latch properly, and in turn to breastfeed properly. Some of these conditions are very well known, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, and can be seen readily with the naked eye. In most cases, they require minor surgery and do not leave any long-term impacts. A tongue tie is another, lesser known oral condition that can impact a baby’s ability to breastfeed effectively. Essentially, a tongue tie occurs when the frenulum (the webbing underneath the tongue that attaches it to the bottom of the mouth and jaw) is too short, or too thick, and does not allow for an effective range of motion. Since breastfeeding requires babies to use their tongues to stimulate the let down and expression process to begin, a tongue tie can greatly hamper their ability to do so. While some tongue ties are very clearly visible, only a medical professional can make the diagnosis of a tongue-tied baby. Surgical and non-surgical procedures are available to cope with the challenges of baby not latching properly due to tongue tie, so it is important to consult a medical professional at the earliest if you suspect it.
If you’re struggling with lactation, specialized lactation consultations can help you with every part of the process. It is important to remember that many moms face issues with breastfeeding, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. If you’re struggling with baby not latching, do not be alarmed – there are a wealth of options and resources for you to rely on to understand your way around the process better and get on the way to healthy nursing.