Baby Won't Latch? Here's What to Do (An IBCLC's Step-by-Step Guide)

Written By Jennifer Chivas

By Jennifer Chivas, RN BSN IBCLC — Lactation Loop

If your baby won't latch, the panic sets in fast. You've read every article, tried every position, and you're starting to wonder if something is seriously wrong — or if you're doing something wrong.

Take a breath. A baby not latching in the early days and weeks is common, and in almost every case, there's a clear, fixable reason behind it. As IBCLCs, this is one of the most common calls we get — and one of the most rewarding to help with, because the fix is often faster than parents expect.

Here's what's likely going on, what you can try right now, and when it's time to bring in extra support.

Why Won't My Baby Latch? Common Reasons

A baby refusing or struggling to latch usually comes down to one (or a combination) of these:

  • Engorgement — breasts are too full or firm for baby to latch deeply

  • Flat or inverted nipples that are harder for baby to grasp

  • Tongue tie or lip tie limiting baby's ability to open wide or maintain suction

  • Nipple preference from early bottle or pacifier use

  • Baby is overtired, overstimulated, or in a food coma from a long labor

  • Positioning — baby isn't aligned well, or isn't brought close enough to the breast

  • Low muscle tone or a disorganized suck, sometimes seen in premature or late-preterm babies

  • Pain or discomfort from birth (e.g., a difficult delivery, forceps, or vacuum extraction)

Most of these are temporary and very treatable — the key is figuring out which one (or ones) apply to your baby.

What to Try Right Now

Before anything else, protect your milk supply and keep your baby fed. If baby isn't latching, start hand expressing or pumping within the first few hours to signal your body to keep making milk — this matters even more than getting a perfect latch today.

Then try these steps, one at a time:

  • Go skin-to-skin. Calm, undressed contact often triggers baby's natural rooting and latching instincts more effectively than active coaxing.

  • Try a laid-back (biological nurturing) position. Let gravity and baby's own reflexes do some of the work, rather than positioning baby rigidly.

  • Soften the breast first if engorged. Hand express a small amount of milk before attempting to latch, so baby has something to grasp onto.

  • Wait for an active feeding cue. A calm, alert baby who is rooting will latch far more easily than one who is overtired or already crying.

  • Support baby's head, neck, and shoulders — not just the head — to help them maintain a stable, deep latch.

  • Try a nipple shield as a short-term bridge if baby is chasing or falling off the nipple repeatedly, but plan to have this reassessed by an IBCLC rather than relying on it long-term.

When to Get Help

It's always okay to reach out for support — you don't need to wait for a specific red flag to book a consult. That said, these signs mean it's time to get help sooner rather than later:

  • Baby hasn't latched at all within the first 24 hours

  • You're not seeing wet or dirty diapers in the expected newborn range

  • Baby seems unusually sleepy, difficult to rouse, or isn't showing feeding cues

  • You suspect tongue tie or lip tie (clicking sounds, milk leaking from the corner of the mouth, shallow latch)

  • You're in significant nipple pain that isn't improving

  • You're feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or unsure what to try next

An IBCLC can watch a full feeding, assess baby's mouth and latch mechanics, and build a specific plan for your situation — often making a noticeable difference in a single session.

Does Insurance Cover Help With Latch Issues?

Yes — lactation support is considered preventive care under the Affordable Care Act, and most commercial insurance plans are required to cover it, including virtual, in-home, and in-office visits.

We accept Aetna, Cigna PPO, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), UMR PPO, Meritain, Anthem, Wildflower, Lactation Network, Curative, and Tricare Select. Most families pay $0 out of pocket. Contact us before your first appointment and we'll help verify your benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for a newborn to not latch right away?
Yes. Many babies need a few attempts — or a few days — to latch consistently, especially if labor was long, medicated, or involved interventions. As long as baby is being fed (at the breast or via expressed milk) and you're tracking wet/dirty diapers, some early difficulty is not a cause for alarm on its own.

Could a tongue tie be why my baby won't latch?
It's possible. Tongue tie can restrict how wide baby opens and how well they maintain suction, which often shows up as a shallow latch, clicking sounds, or nipple pain. An IBCLC can assess for tongue tie and refer you for a release if needed.

Should I give a bottle if my baby won't latch?
Protecting feeding and your milk supply comes first — expressed milk by bottle, cup, or syringe is appropriate in the short term. If you're concerned about long-term impact on breastfeeding, an IBCLC can help you choose the best supplemental feeding method and get back to the breast.

How long should I try before getting help?
There's no need to wait. If you're worried, reaching out on day one is always appropriate — earlier support tends to lead to faster, easier resolution.

Get Help From a Lactation Loop IBCLC

If your baby won't latch, you don't have to figure it out alone. Our board-certified IBCLCs can observe a live feeding, identify exactly what's going on, and help you and your baby find a comfortable, effective latch.

We offer virtual consultations to families in all 50 states, plus in-home and in-office visits in Michigan, Florida, Texas, New York, North Carolina, and Indiana. Most insurance accepted — most families pay $0.

Book an appointment: lactationloop.com/services

text us: 941-254-2502

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