Reasons for the baby not being able to latch on well.
Learning how to breastfeed a newborn takes time. The reason is that both the baby and the mother are not used to breastfeeding.
Many a time, the baby finds it hard to latch on to the breast or to keep sucking.
Following are the signs showing that the baby is finding it hard to latch on.
- Flat nipples or streaks on it.
- Nipple hurts.
- Breaks engorge.
- Suckling calluses on the baby’s lips.
You might experience breast engorgement or your nipples might hurt after breastfeeding if your baby is not latching on well. It will take a bit of time for you to get used to it but you will eventually find a style that suits you and your baby.
How to make the baby latch on to the mother’s breast?
First and foremost, both you and your baby should feel relaxed. Breastfeeding is an opportunity for the baby and the mother to bond in a calm environment. It is important to create an environment in which the baby feels relaxed and can latch on at his own initiative.
- Baby not being able to latch on well
- Baby drinks breast milk out of the feeling of security and not just for nutrition.
- The bond between you and your baby.
Reasons for the baby not being able to latch on and ways to cope up with it.
- Your baby twists her neck when breastfeeding.
How to cope: You should hold the baby closer to the breast and the baby’s face should be at the same level as the breast, exactly facing it
- The baby’s mouth is not open wide enough.
How to cope: Tickle your baby’s lips on the nipple’s tip and wait for the baby to open his mouth.
- The nipple is flat because of the breast being engorged.
How to cope: Express your milk to make the nipple stick out.
- The nipple is inverted.
How to cope: To pull the nipple out, you will have to use the nipple puller or a breast shell right before feeding.
Reasons for the baby not being able to continue latching on and ways to cope up with it.
- The baby has to twist or stretch his neck in order to suck on the breast.
How to cope: You should hold the baby closer to the breast and the baby’s face should be at the same level as the breast, exactly facing it.
- The baby is not able to breathe while latching on.
How to cope: Try not to bend the baby’s head forward.
- The baby releases the breast because of the head not being held tightly
How to cope: You should side-hold the baby and hold the baby’s head using your hand.
- The breast milk is strongly released.
How to cope: Express your milk a bit to help the nipple stick out so that the breast is not engorged.
