How to Latch Fussy Baby

You’re trying to breastfeed, but baby is fussy and won’t latch. Now what do you do? Hopefully this is an isolated situation, and baby has been latching during other breastfeedings. Here are some suggestions to help you:

1. Give baby some time to calm down. Remove baby’s clothing if any, and hold him skin to skin for awhile. Cover baby with a blanket and make him comfortable by rocking him. Talk or sing to baby. Or just turn on some soothing music to listen to, as you relax together in a mutually comfortable spot. Most likely if baby has been fussy, you’re stressed too! The breastfeeding will proceed when both of you are relaxed and have settled down.
   
   
2. Place baby near the breast when skin to skin so he may go to the breast on his own when ready. When baby is hungry, he will seek out and move toward the breast himself. With some gentle guidance from you, baby will eventually be back at the breast and eager to nurse this time around.
   
   
3. Once baby is positioned for breastfeeding, hand express breast milk to the nipple and entice baby to latch by placing drops of breast milk on his lips. This may take several attempts, but be persistent and keep at it. When baby is hungry and ready, he will latch onto the breast himself.
   
   
4. If your baby gets fussy during the feeding and pulls away from the breast, it could be because baby wants more milk. If this is the case, once baby is latched and nursing but begins to suck without drinking, begin doing breast compressions. Gently compressing the breast, stimulates a milk ejection reflex (let-down reflex), which help baby get more milk. Learn more about latch and how to do breast compressions at these links:
   Latching and Feeding – International BreastFeeding Centre (ibconline.ca)
   
   Breast Compression – International BreastFeeding Centre (ibconline.ca)
   
   Breast Compression Videos (ibconline.ca): https://www.dropbox.com/s/mqabslxtfhqazoo/5.Using%20breast%20compressions-English%20text.docx?dl=0
   
   Another reason baby may get fussy during the feeding, is overactive let-down of breast milk. Baby may be overwhelmed with the increased, rapid flow of milk, and may let go of the breast.
   
   Should this occur during the feeding, hand express or use a manual breast pump such as the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump or a Haakaa Manual Silicone Breast Pump for a few minutes to allow the intensity of milk flow to decrease.
   
   Afterwards, put baby back to breast to resume the feeding. If you already know that you tend to have overactive let-downs, plan on pumping a few minutes prior to breastfeeding. Even use of an electric breast pump for several minutes to initiate let-down and help reduce excessive milk flow at the start, will keep baby from being overwhelmed at the beginning of breastfeeding.
   
   
5. If all the aforementioned tips and tricks are not successful, pump both breasts at the same time (double pump) for 15 minutes, so as to get stimulation to maintain your milk production. Feed baby by cup or bottle after breast milk collection if desired or instructed by your pediatrician, or store the breast milk in the refrigerator for a later feeding. It is especially important to pump in lieu of breastfeeding at night, so as not to lose the benefit of higher prolactin levels in your blood stream. Prolactin is a hormone that supports milk supply in a breastfeeding mother, by triggering the mammary glands in the breasts to produce milk. When prolactin levels are at their highest at night, and either baby is frequently breastfeeding or mother is getting stimulation through pumping every two(2) to three(3) hours, this combination boosts milk production.
   
   Read more about milk production from this recommended book, “The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk,” by Diana West and Lisa Marasco OR
   “Making More Milk, Second Edition,” by Diana West and Lisa Marasco

While it’s recommended that baby breastfeed frequently, you probably already know that baby does not follow the clock. It’s alright to follow baby’s lead with feedings. Recommendations to breastfeed at least eight(8) times in 24 hours, doesn’t necessarily mean baby nurses every three(3) hours. For example, he may want to nurse every one(1) hour consecutively for three(3) hours, then sleep for three(3) hours afterward, and that is alright. Baby will breastfeed when he’s hungry. All’s well as long as baby is breastfeeding at least 8-12 times per 24 hours. Also remember your alternative, if baby won’t breastfeed during an attempt: you may double pump for 15 minutes, giving you stimulation to maintain milk production and obtain expressed breast milk to feed baby when he’s hungry. So keep calm and breastfeed on!