Baby pulling back to a shallow latch? Why it happens & how to fix it.
It can be so frustrating when you finally get a deep latch, and your baby immediately pulls back to a shallow one.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The good news is, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong.
When your baby latches and then pulls back to a shallow latch, it's just a symptom of something not working exactly like it should. Babies prefer a shallow latch only when it makes feeding easier for them.
Let’s dive into the reasons why your baby keeps pulling back while breastfeeding, and what you can try to help your baby feed more comfortably.
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If your baby pulls back after latching, it’s not because you’ve done something wrong—it’s just how they’re trying to make feeding easier for themselves. Babies naturally adjust to what feels safest and easiest for their body—and sometimes that means adjusting to a shallower latch.
If your baby consistently pulls back to a shallow latch, that’s a clue that something might be making it harder to stay latched deeply.
Maybe their tongue isn’t moving as freely, maybe they’re adjusting to manage milk flow or discomfort, or maybe they’re just positioned in a way that makes a shallow latch feel more comfortable. Whatever the reason, having a shallow latch isn't bad—it’s just helpful information.
Once you understand why it happens, how to fix it becomes much easier.
Babies don’t pull back to a shallow latch randomly—it’s their way of making feeding feel easier for their body, and here are some reasons why this might be happening:
Fast Letdowns: Your baby may pull back to a shallow latch to manage a quick flow and make feeding feel more manageable.
Discomfort or Gas: Babies who are uncomfortable or gassy often struggle to coordinate sucking and swallowing, which can lead to sliding back to a shallower latch.
Oral Function Challenges: When tongue or muscle movement is limited, babies may rely more on their lips and jaw, making it harder to maintain a deep latch.
Positioning Issues: Without good body support, a shallow latch may simply feel easier or more comfortable for your baby.
Sliding shallow isn’t the root problem—it’s a symptom. Once you understand what’s making a deep latch harder, you can begin to support your baby in ways that make it easier for them to stay latched deeply and comfortably.
Clues That Explain Why Your Baby Pulls Back to a Shallow Latch
When your baby pulls back during feeding, it’s not random—it’s a signal. Paying attention to when and how it happens can give you important clues about whether this is something simple that can be adjusted easily, or something that may need more support.
Frequency: Does your baby pull back during every feed, or only occasionally? If it’s occasional, does it tend to happen at certain times of day?
Timing: Does your baby pull back throughout the whole feed, or mainly when your milk lets down?
Positioning: Does your baby pull back to a shallow latch no matter what position you use, or does it vary?
Behavior: Is pulling back the only behavior, or do you also see signs of discomfort like squirming, kicking, or arching?
If your baby only pulls back occasionally, it’s more likely tied to what’s happening in that moment—like gas or a tricky position. But if your baby consistently pulls back to a shallow latch at every feed, oral function challenges may be a more likely cause.
Once you’ve spotted these clues, the next step is to try a few adjustments to see if they help your baby stay more comfortably latched.
Simple Things to Try if Your Baby Pulls Back
Thinking through why your baby is pulling back is really important for fixing the issue long term, but sometimes an easy adjustment can make things easier. Here are a few things you can try:
Experiment with positioning: Make sure you have your baby's head and belly rotated to your belly both while latching and while feeding.
Relatch after the letdown: If your baby pulls back during letdowns, let your baby latch how they need to, and then when your flow has slowed down, see if you can get a deeper latch.
Check for comfort: If your baby seems squirmy or gassy, pause and help them settle before returning to feeding.
Try different holds: Some babies stay latched more deeply in side-lying, football hold, or other positions that support their body better.
If you try these small shifts and your baby still consistently pulls back, that’s a sign it might be worth looking deeper at oral function or working with a feeding professional for more support. Remember—pulling back isn’t bad in itself. It’s your baby’s way of telling you something, and with the right support, it gets easier.
For More Support:Find a provider near you and get support from a skilled feeding professional who can help you uncover what’s really going on and make feeding feel easier.
Babies usually pull back because it feels easier for their body in the moment. Common drivers are a fast letdown, gas/discomfort, positioning, or oral function challenges that make sustaining a deep latch harder. It’s not something you did wrong — it’s a helpful clue about what to adjust.
Not always. If it’s occasional — like during letdown — it may just be your baby managing flow or comfort in the moment. If it’s happening at most feeds, that pattern points to an underlying issue worth addressing, such as oral function or body support.
Try supportive positions (belly-to-belly, good head/neck support), relatch after letdown, and pause for gas or calming if they’re squirmy. If your baby still pulls back most feeds, a feeding professional can help you look deeper at oral function and next steps.
I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or experiences below.
Meet the Author.Â
Hi there! I’m an IBCLC and educator with over twenty-five years of experience supporting families.
I built this space to share the kind of guidance I wish I had as a new parent—answers grounded in real-world experience, not guesswork. The kind that reflect real babies, real bodies, and the real challenges that don’t always fit the textbook.Â
Because when you understand why something is happening, it’s so much easier to feel confident about what to do next.
