Common, but not normal
You imagined breastfeeding as a calm moment. In reality your nipples hurt, feeds seem endless, your baby slips off the breast, makes clicking sounds, falls asleep after two minutes or cries as you bring them close. Or only feeds well on one side. And you feel you are failing.
You are not. Latching difficulties are very common in the first weeks. Breastfeeding is learned by two, and often a small adjustment is enough. But persistent pain and feeds that do not satisfy your baby are not a “normal” you have to endure.
What may be at the root
- Position and latch. How your baby is supported and how wide they open their mouth make all the difference to your comfort and to how well they feed.
- Tension in your baby’s body. Position in the womb or a long or assisted birth can leave a baby with tension in the neck or jaw, or a preference for one side, making it harder to open wide and turn the head.
- Oral function. The coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing is still maturing.
- Tongue-tie. In some babies, a short frenulum can restrict tongue movement. Assessing and diagnosing tongue-tie, and deciding on a frenotomy, are medical matters — for the paediatrician or another doctor experienced in this area.
- Your body. Sore nipples, very full breasts, a scar or an uncomfortable posture while feeding all play a part.
How we can help
We look at mother and baby together. We observe a feed, the position, the latch and your comfort, and we adjust whatever is needed. For your baby, using very gentle paediatric osteopathy techniques, we assess the mobility of the neck, jaw and body and work on tensions that may make latching harder. We do not make medical diagnoses: if a tongue-tie or another health issue is suspected, we will refer you to the paediatrician.
This support always complements your paediatrician’s care and routine child-health checks. If your baby has a frenotomy, breastfeeding and bodywork before and after can help restore function.
What you can do now
- Tummy to tummy. Baby facing you, ear, shoulder and hip in line, nose level with your nipple; wait for a wide-open mouth before bringing them in.
- Offer the breast early, at the first signs of hunger (hands to mouth, rooting), before crying.
- Ask for help early. A breastfeeding counsellor, your midwife or health visitor, or the paediatrician — do not wait until the pain is unbearable.
If this sounds like you, get in touch. Breastfeeding can be learned with support.