Proper latching by a baby to his mother's breast is vital to breast-feeding success. Latch problems are a major cause of nursing problems, such as sore nipples and insufficient intake of milk by the baby. Many nursing mothers give up breast-feeding due to latch problems, but there are plenty of resources to help new moms learn to correct these kinds of issues.
Description
The latch is the action of the baby putting his mouth around the mother's nipple and areola in order to suck properly on the breast and get sufficient milk to sustain himself. Most babies will naturally latch properly, dropping their lower lip and tongue and positioning their mouth so that their gums press down on the milk sinuses of the mom's areola and cause the breast to express milk. Latch problems occur when the baby can't or won't position himself correctly.
Types
One common type of latch problem is when the baby doesn't take enough of the mother's breast into his mouth. In these cases, the baby will only suck on the nipple, causing nipple damage and also making it less likely that he will get enough milk. Another latch problem is when the baby's lips are not flipped outward, which may make the baby latch too tightly. A third type of latch problem is when the baby does not use her tongue properly during latching, instead keeping it pulled back in the mouth during breast-feeding.
Causes
Sometimes, the cause of latch problems is due to natural differences between mother-child pairs, such as a baby with a small mouth and a mom with a large areola. Other problems can be true medical issues, such as a cleft palate in the infant. They can also be caused by confusion in the baby due to things like the anesthesia used during labor and delivery or being offered bottles as well as the breast.
Solutions
Many hospital maternity wards have doctors, nurses or midwives that can help new moms learn proper latch-on techniques. Another option is to hire a lactation consultant who can give personal, one-on-one advice to teach you and your baby how to efficiently latch and breast-feed. Organizations that support and promote breast-feeding, such as La Leche League, can also be a source of assistance.
Warnings
Mothers who experience latch problems with breast-feeding should get assistance as soon as possible. Waiting to see if the problem will go away can lead to nipple trauma or other things that may cause their breast-feeding experience to be a failure. It may even endanger the baby's health, if he isn't getting enough milk.
