Baby pulling back to a shallow latch? Why it happens & how to fix it.
Your baby starts with a deep latch—but then pulls back to a shallow one, no matter what you try. Or maybe the latch just never feels that deep to begin with. Either way, it's super frustrating when something that seems like it should be so easy makes feeding feel so hard.
I want to help you understand why it’s happening so you’ll know how to make it better.
This blog will walk you through what a shallow latch really means, the most common reasons it happens, and what you can try to fix your shallow latch, based on what you’re seeing during feeds.
If your baby tends to pull 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 is consistently pulling 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.
What’s Causing Your Baby to Pull Back to (or Start With) a Shallow Latch?
Whether or not your baby has a shallow latch all of the time, or just pulls back to a shallow latch some times, the first step to helping to fix your baby's shallow latch is to understand why it’s happening. Babies don’t do this randomly—there’s usually something making a deep latch harder to maintain.
Fast Letdown: If your milk comes out quickly, your baby might slide shallow to manage the flow and make feeding feel more manageable.
Discomfort or Gas: If your baby is gassy or uncomfortable, they may struggle to coordinate sucking and swallowing, which can lead to a shallower latch.
Oral Function Challenges: If their tongue or other muscles aren’t moving well, it may be harder for them to maintain a deep latch.
Positioning Issues: If their body isn’t well-supported, a shallow latch may simply feel easier or more comfortable to them.
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.
How to Fix a Shallow Latch
Fixing a shallow latch isn’t always something you can solve right away—especially if it’s not just about positioning.
If your feeding position is the issue - or part of it - , small changes might make a big difference quickly, so starting there is always the easiest first step.
But if the challenge has more to do with letdown or oral function, it may take time and patience.
Here's how to troubleshoot how to fix your baby's shallow latch based on when you notice it happening:
Pulls Back to a Shallow Latch During Letdown
If your baby only slides shallow when your milk lets down but can latch deeply later, it’s likely they’re trying to manage the fast milk flow. Try these tips to help:
Adjust Your Position: Lean back slightly after your baby latches. This will use gravity to slow the milk flow, helping your baby stay latched deeply.
Express or Pump Before Feeding: Try expressing a little milk before latching to reduce the rush of milk. Be careful not to express too much, as it can sometimes make your letdown faster over time... you just want to catch any milk that comes shooting out.
Feed More Often: Feeding more frequently can help reduce the force of your letdown. This can make it easier for your baby to stay latched comfortably.
Quick Tip:Most often, it's not the letdown that's the problem—it's your baby's ability to move their tongue to keep up with the flow. If your baby struggles with the letdown, just keep oral function challenges on your radar.
Latch is Only Shallow Sometimes
If your baby sometimes latches deeply but pulls back to a shallow at other times, it could be because of temporary discomfort—like gas or positioning problems. It’s usually more about what's going on in that moment, rather than the latch itself. These inconsistencies can often be fixed with small changes, when you identify the trigger:
Look for Discomfort Cues: If your baby is arching their back, squirming, or looking fussy, they may be uncomfortable. Try adjusting their position so they’re more relaxed while feeding.
Observe Timing: Try shorter periods between feeds and see what happens. Some babies get a deeper latch when they’re feedable but not too hungry. Pay attention to what time of day your baby tends to latch shallowly—it can offer clues as to what’s driving it.
Take a Short Break: If your baby is crying and won’t latch well, sometimes helping them release trapped gas or stool first can make them feel more comfortable—so they’re able to settle and latch more deeply.
Experiment with Positioning: Get curious about whether different feeding positions help your baby get a deeper latch. Sometimes small shifts in how you hold your baby can make a big difference.
If your baby always slides shallow—no matter what you try—it could mean they have oral function challenges. This might include issues with tongue movement, muscle coordination, or other oral motor patterns. While this can feel discouraging, getting help early can make a big difference.
It’s not uncommon for babies with oral function challenges to grow and gain weight well, even while struggling to latch. But feeding doesn’t have to be hard. If you have a feeling that something isn't quite right with your baby's latch, that’s a sign it’s worth getting a second set of eyes.
Here’s what you can do:
Check Your Baby’s Positioning: Make sure your baby’s head, neck, and body are well-supported and aligned while feeding. Good positioning can make it easier for your baby to latch deeply and feed effectively.
Get Professional Help: Contact a feeding professional or an oral function specialist who can help you look deeper at what's going on inside your baby's mouth.
If your baby keeps sliding into a shallow latch—especially after you’ve worked hard to get a deep one—it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means something’s getting in the way of what they’re trying to do.
Understanding *why* it’s happening gives you the power to support your baby more effectively. Whether it’s fast letdown, discomfort, or oral function challenges, small changes and the right kind of support can make feeding feel easier and more connected.
Take your time. Every baby is different, and feeding is a learning process for both of you. You’re not falling behind—you’re just figuring out what your baby needs to feed well in their body, in their way.
Your baby's latch — and how you are latching them — is never, ever bad. It just either works well for you and your baby, or it doesn’t.
If your baby prefers a shallow latch to a deeper one, there’s an underlying reason why. Having a deeper latch should be easier than having a shallow one — and there’s a reason that’s not true for your baby.
Here's my blog that talks more about the differences between a deep versus a shallow latch.
TThe idea that a latch is really a window into how well your baby’s feeding muscles are working is still pretty new in the world of infant feeding. When I first started in the field, I was also taught that what matters most is how it feels — and whether the baby is gaining weight. But over time, I’ve learned that your baby’s latch can actually tell you a lot more about how feeding is going, if you know how to look closely, and that gives you an early opportunity to help prevent big problems before they arrive.
Here's my blog on why a latch can still be an issue, even if it feels fine.
It really depends on why your baby has a shallow latch.
If it’s mostly about discomfort or positioning, then once you tweak those, you can sometimes see big changes right away.
But if your baby’s latch is shallow because some of the muscles inside their mouth aren’t working as well as they could be, it can take a little more time — especially while you’re figuring out what’s going on.
In my experience, most parents can get a deeper latch fairly quickly once they’re using their baby’s reflexes in the most supportive way possible. That’s where the magic tends to happen.
About the Author
Hi! I’m Avery—an IBCLC and educator with over twenty-five years of experience, and I'm so glad you're here. I started this blog because I know how overwhelming it can feel when feeding doesn’t go the way it’s “supposed to.”
After working with hundreds (and hundreds) of families, I wanted a space to share what actually works—clearly, compassionately, and without all the noise.
I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or experiences below.
Have a question for me?
Click here for the link + a reminder to join me live this Tuesday at 11:00 AM ET. Or, fill out the form below, and I'll let you know when new resources drop — and you can tell me what support would help the most.
Meet Avery. The voice behind Nourished Young.
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.
Because when you understand why something is happening, it’s so much easier to feel confident about what to do next.
