Deeper Latch

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Page updated October 2026

Too often parents are told that their baby “has a great latch” just because the baby’s mouth is on the breast.

But latch is not good if

It’s painful - there are no excuses for anyone telling you to “get used to it”, or “toughen up” or any other type of gaslighting. Latch should not cause pain, sores, or nipple compression.
Baby’s latch is visibly shallow (which usually causes pain and low milk intake)
Baby latch looks wide on the outside but they constantly fall asleep (but still seem hungry after unlatching). These babies are usually not getting enough milk.
You hear clicking, gulping, squeaking, or any other noises. Good drinking is quiet.
Your supply does not increase from colostrum to higher volume over the first days and weeks.
Baby does not gain weight (after a normal weight loss).

You may think that your supply is low but it might be the other way around - a less effective latch causes low supply, and becomes and “vicious cycle” - low supply then causing a less effective latch.

If baby’s latch is not effective then less milk will be “removed” from the breast - and this will tell your body to make less milk. This is also true if you are pumping and it’s not optimized for you.

Of course people can have low supply for other reasons - less breast tissue, hormonal issues, retained placenta, and more - work with your IBCLC to determine the root cause of your latch and/or supply issues.

Great tips for an effective latch

Start with baby’s chin on the breast and your nipple under their nose - this lets the baby angle their head up for a wider opening and better drinking (like you would if you are about to drink a glass of water).
Chin to breast/nipple to nose brings the baby to the breast asymmetrically. Latching is not like a “bullseye”. The asymmetric latch places more breast tissue inside the baby’s mouth so that the baby’s tongue “milks” the breast and not the nipple. This puts the nipple in the back of the mouth (by the soft palate), rather than squished between their hard palate and tongue (ouch!).
Keep your nipple up! Don’t rub your nipple down from the nose to the lips. In fact, the asymmetric latch is often called the “flipple” because the nipple “flips” into the baby’s mouth last. This is shown very well in this video showing the cross-cradle position, this instagram post, yet another instagram post, and this video showing the “exaggerated” latch.
Breast compressions help baby get more milk (which also helps your supply) and may push the nipple deeper into the baby’s mouth (which should be more comfortable)
Use the “breast sandwich” to hold the breast at the right angle for the baby (think “sandwich not taco”) - this helps the baby get on deeper as shown well in these instagram posts - one, two, three. The baby’s position matters here! If baby is laying horizontal to you, your hands will be like a “U”, if the baby is more vertical, then your hands will be like a “C”

Good breastfeeding positions help latch

All good positions, no matter what they are called (cross-cradle, cradle, football, koala, and more) all have the same features in common:
- Both of you are supported and comfortable
- The baby is fully facing you (ear, shoulders and hip in a line), not turning their head to their shoulder.
- The baby’s arms/hands are around your breast (like a “hug”) so that they are not in their own way
- The baby can come to the breast asymmetrically (chin first - see above)