What To Do If Your Baby Has Difficulty In Maintaining a Latch

Maintaining a good latch on the bottle or breast is a common problem.

As mentioned in the former blog, it is important to check nipple size and shape if you are bottle-feeding. Also, pay attention to your baby's positioning. If your baby's head and body are out of alignment (head, shoulders, and hips not, in a fairly straight line), this can significantly affect the latch.
 

You may need to provide your baby with some cheek support if your child is still having difficulty maintaining a latch. This can be a temporary measure to assist your baby in maintaining the lateral, or side, the stability needed in the mouth and bringing the lips forward to suckle properly. Cheek support can help your baby create an appropriate amount of interior mouth pressure to draw in liquid from the bottle or breast easily and efficiently.



 
To provide cheek support, place your thumb on one of your baby's cheeks and your index or middle finger on the other. Press gently but firmly inward toward your baby's gums while pulling your fingers slightly forward toward your baby's lips. Do not slide your fingers over your baby's skin in any direction. You will see your baby's lips flare. because the muscles of the cheeks help to move the lips. You may also see your baby's tongue cup because you are now providing the lateral stability your child needs to suckle properly.
 

For many years, lactation consultants have taught moms the "Dancer" hand position (ic, Mom supports the baby's cheeks and chin with her free hand while baby is nursing) to support babies' cheeks and jaws while they nursed. Some moms have found this hold difficult to maintain, particularly when using a cradle (ie, cross-over) position.
 



However, modified cheek support can be used with the cradle hold. Gravity is often the culprit in this situation, as gravity pulls the lower cheek toward the ground. Therefore, the lower cheek does not remain against your baby's gum surface during nursing. Appropriate pressure in the mouth is lost. Nursing moms using a cradle hold can apply gentle but firm pressure on the baby's lower cheek surface to help the baby compensate for this difficulty.
 

You can also give your baby a little jaw support along with cheek support if needed. This can be done by placing the area between your thumb and index finger under your baby's chin while you provide cheek support. However, it is essential that you do not stop your baby's jaw from moving or force the jaw to move in an unnatural direction. Providing jaw support is like dancing smoothly with a partner and will be discussed in detail in chapter 6.
 

Cheek and jaw support can help your baby to latch. However, these are usually temporary measures. Your baby may have a subtle difficulty in the mouth that is causing the latching concern. Subtle concerns are often problematic because they can be difficult to identify. These are discussed later in other blogs.


Leave a comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip
Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip

Mombella 3-in-one Clownfish Soothing & Pop Fidget Sensory Teether Toy For 3M+ Babies With A Free Clip

Regular price $15.98 Sale price$11.99 Save 25%
/
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

• Size: 64*54*116 mm

• Weight: 2.37 ounces

• Material: 100% Food Grade Silicone 

• Sterilize: Boiling in Water/Microwave/Steam

• Package: In a box and with a 2023 new free clip accessory



 

Customer Reviews

Based on 10 reviews
90%
(9)
10%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
M
Miris Esquilin
to my grandson

I love it is cute comfortable thanks

A
Anita Jamison
Granddaughter loves it

My granddaughter immediately loved this.

A
Alison Short
Awesome

Great products , very pleased

B
Brianna Freeman
BABYS NEW FAVORITE TEETHER

She has not put this down since receiving. Bonus that it keeps her entertained throughout car rides. She loves all the features on it! Especially the pop-it eyes!

A
Ashley Knight
So cute!

The clownfish is so cute. The eyes are like pop it’s. It’s easy for babies to hold and has several spots for baby to teethe. Super easy to clean! It’s also easy to attach to a high chair or stroller with linking rings or pacifier clip so baby can’t drop it.