Shallow and weak latch

I'm struggling a bit with breastfeeding as my newborn seems to be such a lazy feeder! It's almost impossible to get a deep latch - he doesn't open his mouth very wide and barely even shows any interest when a nipple is forced in his face 🙈 when he does latch it is usually shallow unless I've really shoved it in (then I'm reluctant to let go because he will happily let the nipple slide out), and he often has a really weak hold with barely any suction. As you can imagine this is making feeding difficult, he usually gives up after 10mins and I'm worried about it affecting my supply. If anyone has experienced this could you please share your experiences and any tips or things that worked for you? He's 2.5 weeks old and we've seen a lactation consultant who suggested alternative holds, it's still hard to get him to stay and feed though and I feel i still need to make improvements. I fed my first and although we struggled with latch for a few weeks, I had no concerns at all about supply as my boobs were big and firm with a strong letdown and it was just so clear that I had an abundance of milk. I had the initial engorgement that you'd expect for the first few weeks. This time my boobs feel floppy and deflated, and although I have some leaking, it just doesn't seem they get full and I'm convinced the flow is quite slow, particularly on one side. He is putting on weight and doesn't get frustrated so we're getting by, but I really want to use these early days to establish a strong supply and set up for a long and successful feeding journey. I'm lacking confidence in that right now!

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Have you had him assessed properly for a tongue tie? My baby really struggled to latch to begin with and it was because he couldn't x

@Ella yes the lactation consultant assessed him and all good on that front x

Have you got any updates? I’m struggling with my little boy (11 weeks old) he either has a shallow latch or whenever we get a deep latch he just pulls away like it’s too much nipple in his mouth and it has now resulted in a drop in my supply. I can only pump 20ml from let down and no milk dripping out after the let down. Have you managed to get a better latch at all? If so please give me some tips

@Justyna sorry for the delayed response, it's been so up and down and I still question my supply at times but looking at the bigger picture we're doing just fine, putting on weight and tracking the 50th percentile so I think it's mostly unecessary worrying on my part! He does have a better latch now and I think that's partly down to being bigger and more established with feeding, but also noticed a huge difference after osteopathy - specifically after she did some work around his jaw, honestly he immediately started opening SO much wider, I was impressed! Though his preference is still a pretty shallow latch, maybe it's just habit, he's capable of a much deeper one now but likes to let it go 🫠 it's working though and no pain so I try my best to get a good latch but as long as he's feeding well I don't stress too much. And I just try to give him plenty of time, loads of patience, he seems to like a fairly short feed but if left at the breast he goes back for seconds after 15mins or so, and that's working well

@Justyna honestly i think at 11 weeks the lower pump output and no leaking is likely just because your supply has regulated well - they always say if you're not pumping exclusively then it isn't a reliable indicator of supply as baby is so much more efficient. I know how easy it is to stress and worry so I totally get where you're coming from, I'd suggest getting him weighed for peace of mind if you haven't done so recently and then if all is well just trust the process 🙂 feed often and when you can, give him that opportunity to stay at the breast for as long as possible so he can go back for more. It means committing to a slow day on the sofa and lots of cuddles and contact naps but nothing wrong with that! I found when I was out of the house over the weekend we had a very different pattern of less frequent but longer, more active feeds - but that only works when we're out and about and he's distracted/sleeping for longer stretches (which he does in the car or pram)

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