What to do if your baby is struggling to latch

Nobody prepares you for how hard breastfeeding can be.

You read the books, took the class, watched the videos. And then your baby arrived and suddenly nothing works the way it was supposed to. The latch is painful. Your baby is frustrated. You are exhausted, emotional, and quietly wondering if something is wrong.

First - nothing is wrong with you. Latching difficulties are one of the most common challenges new mothers face, and they are almost never a reflection of effort, dedication, or love. They are most often a sign that your baby needs a little extra support - and that support exists.

What does a latch problem actually look like?

Latching challenges can show up in many different ways and vary significantly from baby to baby. Some of the most common signs include:

• Painful or uncomfortable nursing that does not improve after the first week
• Your baby slipping off the breast repeatedly during feeds
• A clicking sound during nursing
• Your baby falling asleep at the breast before finishing a full feed
• Poor weight gain or slow return to birth weight
• Your baby seeming frustrated, arching away, or crying at the breast
• Nipple damage, cracking, or bleeding
• Your baby taking in excessive air during feeds leading to significant gas or discomfort
• Feeding sessions that last over 45 minutes consistently

Any one of these on its own warrants a closer look. Several together is a clear signal that support would help.

What causes latching difficulties?

Latching challenges are rarely about one single thing. They are most commonly caused by a combination of factors involving both the mother and the baby - which is exactly why they require a trained eye to assess properly.

On the baby's side, common contributors include:

• Tongue tie or lip tie - restricted oral tissue that limits the range of motion needed for effective feeding
• Low oral muscle tone - affecting the strength and coordination needed to sustain a latch
• Jaw tension - often from the birth process itself, particularly after a long labor, forceps or vacuum delivery, or a very fast delivery
• Sensory sensitivities - some babies are highly sensitive to touch around the mouth and face, making feeding feel overwhelming
• Prematurity - babies born even a few weeks early may not have fully developed the suck-swallow-breathe coordination needed for efficient feeding

On the mother's side, factors like flat or inverted nipples, engorgement, and milk flow speed can also significantly impact latch - and all of these are addressable with the right support.

Where does an occupational therapist fit in?

Many parents are surprised to learn that occupational therapists play a central role in infant feeding support. While lactation consultants focus primarily on breastfeeding positioning and milk supply, occupational therapists trained in infant feeding look at the full picture - the baby's oral motor function, sensory processing, muscle tone, coordination, and overall feeding mechanics.

At OT by the Sea we specialize in infant feeding and early development and work with newborns and young babies right in your home - where feeding actually happens. There is no more valuable environment for this work than your own space, in your own chair, in the quiet and comfort of your real routine.

A typical infant feeding evaluation with our team includes:

• A thorough oral motor assessment - evaluating your baby's jaw, tongue, lip, and palate function
• Observation of a full feeding session to understand exactly where the difficulty is occurring
• Assessment of sensory responses around the mouth and face
• Coordination with your pediatrician and lactation consultant as part of a collaborative care team
• A personalized feeding plan with specific strategies you can implement immediately
• Written evaluation delivered within 48 hours

Beyond the early weeks, we continue to support families through the milestones of early development - feeding, motor skills, sensory regulation, and play.

What about bottle feeding?

Latching and feeding challenges are not exclusive to breastfeeding. Many families come to us with bottle feeding concerns - a baby who takes forever to finish a bottle, who chokes or sputters frequently, who refuses the bottle entirely, or who seems to be working much harder than they should to feed.

All of these are within the scope of what our infant feeding team addresses. The goal in every case is the same - efficient, comfortable, enjoyable feeding for your baby, and a calmer, more confident experience for you.

When should I reach out?

The honest answer is - sooner rather than later. The early weeks of an infant's life are a critical window for feeding development, and the longer challenges go unaddressed the more entrenched patterns can become. That said, it is never too late to seek support. We work with babies from birth through the first year and beyond.

Please reach out if:

• Feeding feels painful, stressful, or consistently difficult
• Your baby is not gaining weight adequately
• You have already worked with a lactation consultant and are still struggling
• Something just feels off even if you cannot quite articulate what
• You are considering stopping breastfeeding because of pain or difficulty and want to explore whether support might help first

You do not need a referral. You do not need a diagnosis. You just need to make one phone call.

You deserve support too

The early weeks of motherhood are profound and beautiful and also genuinely hard. Feeding struggles add a layer of stress, guilt, and exhaustion that no new parent should have to carry alone.

At OT by the Sea our infant feeding specialists serve new families across West LA - in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Culver City, Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, and the surrounding Westside communities. We come to you, we work at your pace, and we are on your side from the first session.

New clients are seen promptly - no lengthy waitlist, written evaluations delivered within 48 hours.

If feeding feels hard right now, please connect with us. We would love to help.