You’ve probably read that your baby is supposed to have a “deep latch,” but figuring out what that actually looks like during a feed can feel overwhelming—especially when feeding is painful or inconsistent. If you’ve been constantly worrying about your baby’s latch, it’s completely natural to feel stressed.

To make things even trickier, your baby’s latch isn’t like a light switch that’s either always deep or shallow—it’s more like a zero-entry swimming pool, with subtle variations that can shift during a single feed. If you’ve been wondering whether your baby’s latch might be shallow, you’re not alone.

In this blog, I’ll help you identify the signs of a shallow latch and share practical tips to make feeding more comfortable for both you and your baby.

A Deep Vs. Shallow Latch

A shallow latch happens when your baby’s mouth takes in only the nipple—or just a small part of the areola—leaving the nipple at the front of their mouth. This can cause discomfort for you and make feeding less effective for your baby. The pictures below show this difference: the baby on the left has a shallow latch, while the baby on the right demonstrates a deeper latch with more of the areola in their mouth, leading to a more comfortable and effective feed.

Shallow Latch Causes: Why It Happens? 

There are a few reasons why a shallow latch might occur:

✔  Your baby may not open their mouth widely enough before latching.

✔  They might slide back onto the nipple after initially latching deeply.

✔  Tension or coordination challenges in your baby’s oral muscles could make it harder for them to initiate or maintain a deep latch.

✔  Your baby’s position may be uncomfortable, leading them to slide shallow to feel more supported

Signs Your Baby’s Latch Might Be Shallow

A shallow latch can sometimes be hard to spot, especially if feeding feels inconsistent. Here are some common signs that your baby’s latch might be shallow: 

1. Pain or Discomfort During Latching
If latching causes pinching, pulling, or soreness—especially if the pain lasts throughout the feed—it’s a strong indication that your nipple isn’t far enough back in your baby’s mouth, and that will make your latch shallow. 

2. Chewing or Sucking the Nipple During Latching 
If your baby seems to chew, slurp, or pull the nipple into their mouth, they may not be opening wide enough for a deeper latch.

3. Not Opening Widely Before Latching
Your baby’s latch can only be as deep as how wide they open their mouth. If your baby isn’t opening their mouth as widely as they do for a big yawn before latching, the latch may not be as deep as it could be.

4. Bottom Lip Positioned Near Base of Your Nipple After You've Latched
After latching, gently pull back your baby’s cheeks to see their lip placement. If the bottom lip is closer to the center of the nipple like in the picture on the right below your latch is likely shallow. Instead you want your baby's lip to be closer to the edge of your areola, like in the picture on the left. 



5. Jaw Angle and Mouth Opening
A deep latch usually results in a wide-open mouth with a jaw angle of around 140 degrees. In the image below, the baby on the right shows a deep latch with a wide-open jaw, while the baby on the left has a shallow latch with a tight jaw. If your baby’s jaw looks tight or their mouth isn’t open wide while feeding, the latch may be shallow.

How to Fix a Shallow Latch.

If you’ve identified signs that your baby’s latch might be shallow, here are some practical strategies to encourage a deeper, more comfortable latch:

💡 Feed Early in the Hunger Cycle: A calm baby is more likely to achieve a deep latch. Feeding early, before your baby becomes frantic, helps them relax and open their mouth more widely.

💡 Use Your Baby’s Natural Reflexes: Babies have reflexes that guide them to latch deeply. Let your baby’s chin make contact first, as this triggers their mouth to open wide and prepares them for a better latch.

💡 Position Your Baby for Comfort: Your baby’s body should feel comfortably supported, with their chin leading the latch. Keep them fully facing you, with their nose level with the nipple and their head slightly tilted back.

💡 Relatch When Needed: It’s okay to pause, gently break the latch, and try again if it doesn’t feel right. With practice, these small adjustments will become second nature.

💡 Seek Professional Support: If feeding continues to be painful or your baby struggles to latch deeply despite your efforts, reach out for help. A lactation consultant or feeding specialist can assess your baby’s latch and oral function, offering personalized guidance to make feeding more comfortable for both of you.

Final Thoughts: A Shallow Latch Is Just Information

A shallow latch isn’t a scorecard for you or your baby—it’s simply a way to gather insight into how feeding is going. By recognizing the signs and making small adjustments, you can use that information to create a feeding experience that works well for both of you. Instead of seeing latching as something you’re doing right or wrong, think of it as an opportunity to learn how you and your baby feed best—together.

Need More help? Check Out These Related Blogs

Why Your Baby Slides Shallow After Latching—and How to Help: Learn the top reasons your baby slides shallow and what you can do to help 

Exploring Feeding Positions: How make latching comfortable.  Learn how to find the right feeding positon for you and your baby.  

The Gaping Reflex: The Hidden Secret to Your Baby's Best Latch: Learn all about how to engage your baby's gaping reflex and get your best latch. 

GET LATCHING HELP
Need more help getting your baby to latch deeper? Download my free Reflexive™ Latching Guide or join me in my weekly Reflexive Latching Live class, where I’ll guide you step-by-step to a latch that feels good for both you and your baby.