Nipple feeding

[TBC45678]

My 10 week old has got into the habit of feeding by just sucking on my nipple, instead of taking a big mouthful of breast. I'm pretty sure he's still getting plenty of milk, he feeds for about 10-20 mins every 2-3 hours and he's satisfied after feeds and has been gaining weight fine. It doesn't hurt me either. But everything I read says this is not a good latch. Sometimes it seems as if he's pulling his head back, almost trying to stretch my nipple in his mouth! Sounds like it would be painful bit it's not for some reason...

Anyway, just wondering if he can still be 'feeding well' with what looks like a poor latch, and what I can do to rectify it?

Thanks!

If it’s bothering you you can stick your finger in his mouth to break the suction and them get him to relatch. He might just be comfort sucking when he does this. As long as he’s gaining weight and you’re not uncomfortable it doesn’t matter.

@Diggersaursarethebest thanks for your reply! I do try to relatch him, but he still just takes my nipple in his mouth. I can't get him to open his mouth fully!

Sandwich technique? Squish your boob a bit and try to push more into his mouth?
I fed my toddler for two years and he went through all sorts of stages of annoying breastfeeding behavior. The best advice anyone gave me was the midwife how weighed him at 4months ish. I was worried he’d not been gaining enough weight so I’d been offering him feeds more often. It worked but he was feeding more frequently than average. The dr told me if baby is growing and you’re ok too then it doesn’t matter. All the numbers and averages and advice don’t matter much as long as your baby is growing well and you’re happy too.

I used to gently tug my DS's lower jaw* slightly wider when he went to latch and said 'open wide!" Eventually I could just say "open wide!" and he’d stretch his jaw open and latch fully! No idea if it's good practice but it worked for us - could be worth a try?

*I’d hook my finger very very gently over his lip to make him open wider.

I wish I has a video of him stretching his mouth wide open on command, but obviously I was a bit busy at the time. It was very cute though!

If it doesn’t hurt & he’s gaining weight then sounds fine to me. I was always so paranoid about the ‘perfect latch’ and then I realised it doesn’t matter! My children have always been chunky & I’ve had no problems with supply.

If it’s not causing you any pain or damage and baby is gaining weight and growing and has at least 6 wet nappies a day then don’t worry about it. The pulling his head back sounds like he is trying to stimulate another letdown so breast compressions may help if it’s bothering you but it sounds like you are doing great.

Thanks all! My instinct is definitely that it's fine and doesn't cause an issue for either of us. But I did try your tip @solania and it worked a bit!