Is this a bad latch? Still struggling at 5.5 months old.

[Ticklishknees]

Baby is 5 months old and I've been told she does not have a good latch, despite being ebf. I've watched all the videos and tried different techniques to get her to latch better but it hasn't helped.

No nipple pain and she's gained weight very well. The only problem it causes is that she takes quite a while to eat. Upwards of 30 minutes.

Is there anything I can do at this point?

I have attached an image but I don't know if it will be approved.

Bump!

Has she been checked for tongue tie ?

I wouldn't worry at 5 months if you're both healthy she'll be breastfeeding less once she starts solids soon

Hmmm that is a bit shallow and I disagree that you should just leave it. Their milk intake doesn't go down until 10/11 months so you have more breastfeeding to do and I found that the only reason I could keep going was because how efficient my baby got around 5/6 months. I wouldn't still be breastfeeding at 8 months if feeds would still take upwards of 30 minutes.

I have had help from a lactation consultant several times and found it extremely helpful (but I don't live in the UK and have no other access to La Leche League or other support groups). I would find someone to reach out to for advice.

Thank you everyone! She has been checked for a tongue tie more than once and they didn't think she had one.

I am also not in the UK but I think it will be hard to track down a lactation consultant in my area.

Luckily I'm a SAHM and she's my first baby so I have time to sit around feeding her for now. Occasionally we get a really good latch but it's not consistent at all.

Have you tried gently pushing her chin down with a finger while she's sucking to open her mouth wider? I had to do it every time for a few weeks until he got the idea

Do you feed side lying? Try it, babe facing you, tummy to tummy, your nipple should be at his eye/forehead level (this is important, your nipple should be much higher than you think initially, I was getting this wrong a lot). Grab your boob in hamburger hold and brush nipple on his face from top of nose to his lips to encourage him to tilt head back and open mouth wide.

I also found rugby hold great in the younger days to get a good latch but your baby is quite big, you need quite a few pillows to make yourself comfortable.

Once teeth come in, latch becomes really important.

Are you in pain? Is she gaining weight ok? Are you ok with how long it takes?
if that’s the case I wouldn’t worry about timing.

someone is trying to worry you and it is not necessary unless there is a problem which is worrying you or the baby.

Also solids fun starts soon. Which won’t change milk intake until they are about 10mo but it may change how efficient they are as their jaw / mouth changes.

if you are still worried but cannot find a local ibclc (pls do check - they turn up in all sorts of places!!) then see if you can speak to one based in your home country, via video call. This 1:1 support in your own language may be helpful and see you through to the next phase anyway.

in the meantime I find lying down and feeding was very efficient. Ditto rugby hold. Ditto sitting them on my knee facing me.

best of luck

Thank you! I appreciate your replies. I have tried side-lying but I don't think it works with my boob shape. It's uncomfortable for both of us.

Slightly confused as to wether this matters or not, some conflicting replies. Generally it's doesn't bother me right now but some are saying it will cause problems soon?

Worked on it last night and I think the latch looks slightly better? I will attach another picture.

That looks pretty good, i think his bottom lip being out is important (bumping your post, hopefully someone else can come advise too). Realistically my baby's latch isn't always perfect either, especially on my right side for some reason.

But honestly, now teeth are out i have to be a lot more careful 😅 especially the upper teeth really hurt if they even so much as graze over the nipple. So no harm working on the latch now.

It does look a little shallow, but also do you feel engorged at all? I sometimes found that skimming off some milk with a pump for a bit and making my boob softer really helped. Then rub nipple on babies nose till they really open wide then shove as much nipple and coloured areola section in as possible. But your little girl looks really content and peaceful so really you are doing a fab job by the looks of it.