Will a Shallow Latch Correct Itself?

One of the questions I get asked all the time is: will my baby’s shallow latch just correct itself over time?

And honestly—sometimes it does, but sometimes it doesn’t. It really depends on why your baby has a shallow latch in the first place.

In this post, we’ll walk through what can cause a shallow latch, when it might get better on its own, and how to figure out what’s really going on—so you can stop wondering and just focus on feeding your baby.

The Answer Varies.

The reason your baby’s latch is shallow is the biggest clue to whether or not it’s likely to improve with time. Sometimes it’s just about how you’re holding them. If their head is tucked or their body is stiff, they may not be able to move freely to open wide and get into a deeper latch.

When that’s the case, improving their positioning, reducing tension, and giving them space to move can make a big difference—and yes, that kind of shallow latch often gets better quickly when you make some small changes. 

Is It a Compensation?

Not all shallow latches are about positioning. Some babies just find it easier to use the front of their tongue—and not the deeper muscles in the back. Over time, they get really good at using those front muscles, even if their latch stays shallow.

That’s what we call a compensatory latch. It’s not that the latch improved—it’s that your baby got better at working around the issue. And depending on how well they’re compensating, they might transfer milk just fine… or they might not.

Why it Matters.

Some babies feed just fine for months—even years—using a latch that’s technically shallow. But the better question isn’t “can they feed like this?” It’s “What does this latch tell me about how their mouth is functioning?”

If they’re not using all of their muscles in a coordinated way, it could mean they’re overworking some areas and underusing others. And that might be caused by something you can adjust, or it might be something that could use more support, such as a tongue tie or simply weak muscles that need some strengthening. 

A "Down the Road" Problem?

Sometimes a shallow latch works just fine in the early weeks—but starts to become a problem later. As your baby begins spacing out feeds and sleeping longer, your milk supply may drop. If their latch isn’t efficient, that can create a mismatch between your supply and their ability to transfer milk well.

That’s when you may see frustration at the breast, shorter feeds, or slower weight gain—even if everything felt okay before.

And if this feels like it comes from no where - especially if you thought everything was going well?  It can cause a whole lot of stress, frustration and a ton of self doubt, when you weren't ever doing anything wrong in the first place. 

Confidently Moving Forward.

If everything’s going smoothly and your baby has a shallow latch, you may not need to do anything right now. But if something feels off—or if feeding gets harder over time—this might be the place to start looking.

You don’t have to fix everything at once. Curiosity, without shame or blame, is the most powerful first step.

If you’re feeling like something’s off—even when everyone’s telling you it’s fine? Don’t be afraid to trust yourself.

Knowing how to latch isn’t something that just shows up the moment your baby does. But noticing the little things other people miss? That’s what new parent instinct actually looks like.