Medically reviewed by Stephanie Nguyen, WHNP, IBCLC. Last reviewed October 2026.
Nipple pain. A baby who gulps, clicks or swallows air. Worries about milk supply. Getting a deeper latch can solve SO. MANY. BREASTFEEDING. PROBLEMS!
Here are five simple changes you can try at your very next feed.
Before you start: get comfortable
A good latch starts with good positioning. Lean back a little and bring your baby to you, not your breast to your baby. Hold your baby tummy to tummy with ear, shoulder and hip in a line, and support the neck and shoulders so the head can tip back freely. Try not to push on the back of the head.
1. Nose to nipple
Line your baby’s nose up with your nipple, not the mouth. Your baby then has to tilt the head back and reach up, which brings the chin in first and gives a deeper latch.
2. Wait for it!
Brush your nipple from your baby’s nose to upper lip and wait for a big, wide mouth, like a yawn. Then bring your baby in quickly, chin first. If you latch when the mouth is only starting to open, you get a shallow latch.
3. Remember, it is called breastfeeding, not nipple-feeding!
The goal is to get as much breast in your baby’s mouth as you can, not just the nipple. Your baby should take in more of the areola below the nipple than above it.
4. Focus on the lower lip!
Aim your baby’s lower lip well away from the base of the nipple, close to the edge of the areola. This points your nipple toward the roof of the mouth, where it rests at the soft palate and is protected from pinching.
5. Did I do it right???
Check these signs:
- You feel a strong tug or pull, not pinching or sharp pain. Some tenderness in the first 30 seconds can be normal in the early days.
- Your baby’s mouth is open wide, with lips turned out and the corners of the mouth at a wide angle.
- The chin is pressed into your breast and the nose is free or lightly touching.
- Cheeks stay round, with no dimpling or clicking.
- You can see or hear swallowing.
- Your nipple comes out round afterward, not flattened, creased or shaped like a new lipstick.
If it hurts, do not push through it. Slide a clean finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the seal, and try again. It can take a few tries, and that is okay.
When to get help
These tips will not solve every nursing problem. Please see an IBCLC if:
- Pain lasts through the whole feed or beyond the first week
- Your nipples are cracked, bleeding or blanched white after feeds
- Your baby cannot stay latched, clicks constantly or seems hungry after most feeds
- You are worried about weight gain or diaper counts
Sometimes the cause is something a new position cannot fix, such as tongue tie, a high palate or oversupply. An in-person assessment makes a big difference.
Frequently asked questions
Is breastfeeding supposed to hurt? No. Mild tenderness at the start of a feed is common in the first week, but ongoing pain means something needs adjusting.
How do I know the latch is deep enough? It is comfortable, you hear swallowing, and your nipple looks round afterward.
What is the best position for a deep latch? Many moms do well with laid-back nursing, cross-cradle or football hold in the early weeks. The best one is the one that is comfortable for both of you.
Can a nipple shield help? Sometimes, for a short time, but it is best used with guidance from an IBCLC.
Hands-on help at Modern Milk
Some things are easier to learn with someone beside you. Our IBCLCs can watch a full feed and adjust your latch in real time, in Scottsdale or by virtual visit. Book a lactation consult.
Expecting? Learn all of this before your baby arrives with Mama’s Milk Mastery. Check out Mama’s Milk Mastery.
Nipple balm, nursing pillows and other comfort essentials are in our shop. Shop nursing essentials.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics: breastfeeding guidance for parents
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine clinical protocols
This article is for education and does not replace care from your own provider.
