If you’re breastfeeding, the last thing you want to consider is the possibility of your baby not being able to latch correctly. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a possibility. In fact, many moms find themselves in this situation at some point during breastfeeding.
There are several reasons your baby may have difficulty latching on correctly, and if you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, don’t stress! It’s often something that can be easily corrected with a few simple adjustments.
What Problems May Arise if Your Baby Is Not Latching Properly
If your baby is not latching properly, a few problems may arise. The first of these is breastmilk supply. If a breastfeeding baby isn’t getting enough milk, the mom may feel discouraged and lose motivation to continue nursing. This, in turn, can cause her to stop breastfeeding altogether, or she might keep going but feel like she needs to pump or supplement for her comfort and convenience.
The second problem that both mother and infant may experience is frustration and upset. In addition to not getting enough breast milk from feeding, babies with difficulty latching on often get fussy or cranky because they’re hungry. If their mothers are unable or unwilling at this point, those feelings only worsen!
The third potential issue comes from the amount of time it takes each day just to try again with another failed attempt at latching. This adds stress to our lives which can lead us to feel overwhelmed.
Due to such problems, many mothers stop breastfeeding their babies. Data shows that 4% of women stop breastfeeding within the first week, and another 14% stop when their baby is 2 months old. However, this can be problematic for the child as he or she needs mother’s milk. Hence, even the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around 6 months and adding complementary food to the child’s diet.
What Can Cause Latching Problems?
There can be many reasons why your baby is not latching correctly. It can be an underlying medical condition, such as lack of breath, premature birth, breast surgery, etc. However, most of the time, it is due to ineffective breastfeeding techniques (IBT).
A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the factors leading to IBT. The study published on the NCBI website shows that the overall prevalence of IBT in latching problems was 63.5%. When the factors causing the problems were studied, it was found that having no formal education, being primiparous, and not receiving counseling during pregnancy and post-delivery were some key factors.
Tips to Solve Latching Problems
If your baby is not latching, you can take several steps to make the process more comfortable for you and your baby. Following these steps can help with latching and breastfeeding.
Chiropractic Care Can Be Helpful
If you’re experiencing pain, chiropractic care can help. Your baby’s jaw may not be aligned with her spine, causing her a lot of discomfort during breastfeeding. A misaligned jaw can cause the tongue to push against the roof of your baby’s mouth and make it hard for him or her to latch on properly. Chiropractors can also adjust your baby’s spine so that she has room in her neck and head to move comfortably, making it easier for her to find the breast and feed well.
Chiropractic care can be helpful in regions where latching problems are bigger. For example, the Ottawa Public Health Services are increasing breastfeeding and baby support services because it considers baby nourishment the top priority. Hence, you can expect complete support for all latching and breastfeeding problems, including chiropractic care.
There are many chiropractors available in Ottawa. You can simply pick an Ottawa chiropractor who has experience working with children. The thing is that the force required for adjustments in children is very little. Hence, someone without experience may end up hurting the child. You can look for information on the chiropractor’s website or ask questions to determine if he or she has worked with infants.
Assuming a Comfortable Position Can Make Breastfeeding Easier
You will be more comfortable and relaxed when breastfeeding if you can sit or lie down in a good position. An analysis of multiple studies published in the BMC journal shows that the position can significantly impact maternal breastfeeding. The analysis involving 12 studies involving 1936 groups of women and their babies concluded that the laid-back position had the most significant effect.
The best way to find the best position for you and your baby is to try them all out. These include:
- Lying on your side
- Sitting in a chair with support under your arm and back
- Sitting with pillows behind you
Experiment with different positions until one feels comfortable for both of you. If any position seems awkward at first, don’t worry! It may take some practice before it feels natural. Working together as a team will ensure that breastfeeding goes smoothly for both of you!
Using a Breast Pump Will Create a Suction to Express Milk
If you are expressing milk for your baby, the best way to do this is with a breast pump. Many types of pumps are available, and they all operate differently. Some pumps use suction, while others vibrate. If you have not used a pump before, start with the one with two phases, letdown and expression.
The letdown phase should last between 20-45 seconds and be used twice daily, at least 4 hours apart, before starting up again. The expression phase is when you express milk into your container or bag until there’s nothing left to give!
Then there are manual pumps, usually small devices that fit over both nipples at once and provide gentle pressure as they massage them from underneath. These pumps are smaller than electric ones but take longer because they don’t have any motorized parts.
However, it’s worth noting that some people find manual versions easier on their breasts since it gives them more control over how much suction there’ll be during the usage period. Hence, if using an electric version makes things uncomfortable, switching back might help out quite nicely!
While using the breast pumps, remember not to share them with anyone else. The FDA says that sharing breast pumps can be dangerous and may lead to medical complications. Hence, you must never share them, even with family members.
Conclusion
As you can see, several things can lead to a baby not being able to latch properly. If this is happening in your home, take some time to try out these tips and see if they help. You may need chiropractic adjustments or even just cuddling your baby more often!
