Signs of an Ineffective Latch (and how to fix it)
Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. If that’s a surprise, this one’s for you.
When your baby latches, they create a gentle vacuum and start a suck–swallow–breathe rhythm.
With an effective latch, baby’s tongue makes a U-shape, cups the nipple/areola, and uses wave-like motions to compress breast tissue against the roof of the mouth.
That pressure expresses milk from the glands into baby’s mouth—over and over.
A lot of people assume the lower lip does the heavy lifting. It’s actually the tongue! When baby can’t cup their tongue well, can’t maintain suction, or slides shallow… you get an ineffective (shallow) latch.
Here are 7 signs your baby’s latch may need work, and what to do next:
7 Signs of an Ineffective Latch
1) Pain while breastfeeding
If nursing hurts, something’s off. Pain is a top reason people stop early. Often the cause is shallow latch—baby doesn’t have enough breast tissue in their mouth and is working the nipple tip only.
2) Your nipple “changed outfits”
Your nipple should come out looking roughly how it went in. If it’s creased, flattened, wedge-shaped, smushed, purple/bruise-colored, or white/blanched, that points to a shallow or uneven latch.
3) Clicking sounds (and cheek dimpling)
Clicks usually mean baby is losing the seal/vacuum, and your nipple may be slipping in their mouth—hello, sore nipples. You may also see cheek dimpling. What you want to hear is “suck–swallow–breathe” in a steady pattern.
4) Lips not flanged (fishy lips = good)
If baby’s lips are tucked in/puckered instead of flanged out like a little fish, they’ll slide down to just the nipple. You can use a finger to gently flip a curled lip out—just be careful not to break the seal.
5) A shallow mouth angle
Aim for an open angle ~140° (think the slanted arm of the Special K logo). A wide jaw = more areola and breast tissue in the mouth, not just nipple.
6) Baby resists or pops off
Pushing away, bobbing, repeatedly latching and breaking the latch—these can all signal that the latch isn’t deep/effective.
7) Feeding sessions are very long or very short
Long (40–50+ min): baby isn’t transferring milk efficiently, so they keep sucking and sucking.
Very short: baby gets frustrated and quits early because it’s not satisfying.
What to do (step by step)
Start with help if you can
If it’s available and feasible, meet with a lactation professional (IBCLC). You’ll get a tailored plan for your baby’s specific latch issues. If you’re still pregnant, prepare offensively—read up or take a breastfeeding course so the basics are familiar before you’re sleep-deprived.
In the moment (quick reset)
Break the latch gently: slip a clean finger into the corner of baby’s mouth between the gums to release suction.
Relatch from scratch using the tips below.
Rapid-fire latch tips
Bring baby to breast, not breast to baby. Keep baby snug to you.
Aim your nipple toward baby’s nose. This helps baby open wide and “come up and over” for a deeper latch.
Line them up: ear–shoulder–hip in a straight line (good posture helps transfer).
Check the signs: wide mouth angle (~140°), flanged lips, more areola in baby’s mouth, and the suck–swallow–breathe pattern (not clicking).
Add breast compressions. Gentle massage/compression moves milk toward the nipple so baby gets instant reward for deep, effective sucking.
Assess your nipples. If it hurts, pop them off and try again—don’t power through pain.
Why this matters
A comfortable, effective latch protects your nipples, helps baby transfer milk efficiently, and supports your supply (remember: prolactin makes milk, oxytocin moves milk). Fixing latch early often prevents spirals like nipple trauma, low transfer, and endless feeds.
Helpful resources
Stanford Children’s: Difficulty with latching or sucking
La Leche League International: Positioning
La Leche League Canada: The sounds of breastfeeding
NCBI Bookshelf:Oxytocin reflex & milk ejection
