How to Solve Common Latch Problems With Breastfeeding

Hi Sarah! Great question. Skin-to-skin is so helpful on multiple levels for both mum and bub. In the aspect of latching, skin-to-skin induces the release of oxytocin, a hormone which helps greatly with milk flow. This will enable the milk that is already in the breast to flow out more easily, also known as the Milk Ejection Reflex, or more commonly known as "milk letdown". While it may not necessarily mean your baby may get the "right" latch, but it does mean that your breast milk is more easily available for your baby during a feeding session, encouraging him or her to be on the breast more, which then leads to greater milk production as well. Hope this helps!

Hi Sarah! Congratulations on your pregnancy! Very exciting times ahead :) I see that you are keen to find out more about paced bottle feeding. Paced bottle feeding is essentially a way to mimic the rhythm and way of nursing, in order to minimise nipple confusion. During paced bottle feeding, the baby is carried more upright, with the bottle tilted at a 45 degree angle. Typically, after 20 seconds of drinking, the person holding bottle will pause the feeding for a bit, to allow for the suckle-swallow-breathe rhythm, like nursing. It is also easier for caregivers to observe when babies are full, as compared to the usual bottle feeding method. Here's a quick reference for you - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CveEL00tYEi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Hope this is helpful!

Hi Julia! For most mothers, 80-90% of the time, breast shape and size do not matter. What matters is the number of milk-making glands in your breasts and that have nothing to do with the size of our breasts (size usually has to do with fatty tissues). However, women with very large breasts or "tube-shaped" breasts may find it more challenging to latch. Young babies may find it hard to open their mouths wide enough to latch properly onto mothers with large breasts. On the other hand, mothers with tubular shaped breasts may experience insufficient breast tissue and glands to produce milk. That said, most of the time, alternative methods can always be discussed and explored, especially with the help of a lactation consultant. So if this is your concern, do reach out to one! All the best, mama!