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A good bottle-feeding latch helps your baby feed comfortably, swallow less air and reduce the chance of wind or discomfort.
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Signs of a good latch include a wide mouth, lips flanged outwards, a deep seal around the teat and rhythmic sucking with minimal milk leakage.
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If your baby struggles to latch, try holding them in a more upright feeding position and gently encourage them to open their mouth wide before offering the nipple.
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Choosing an anti-colic bottle and a nipple with a slower flow rate can help your baby maintain a comfortable latch and better control milk flow.
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Watch your baby's feeding cues rather than rushing the feed, and pause regularly for burping to support a calmer, more comfortable feeding experience.
A baby’s latch is an important part of feeding. Not only does it make sure baby stays full and satisfied, but a good latch can also help prevent discomfort and other difficulties.
It can be stressful and frustrating when baby is refusing a bottle. While there are other reasons they aren’t taking a bottle, it could be that they are struggling to latch successfully.
But there are ways to help with bottle refusal due to latching.
Why a good bottle-feeding latch matters
A strong latch isn’t just for breastfeeding. It is important when baby is bottle feeding too as it ensures comfortable, effective feeding.
Just like a breast, baby needs to have a good seal around the bottle nipple to make sure they receive enough milk and don't ingest excess air which can lead to discomfort.
A good latch also means the nipple is positioned correctly in the mouth for baby to rhythmically suck and get a smooth flow of milk.
Signs of a good bottle latch
- Depth: Baby’s mouth covers the base of the bottle teat, not just the tip. Their latch should create a seal and the teat should be at the soft palate.
- Stability: Baby can hold the teat relatively still in their mouth throughout the feed. You can’t see too much of the teat popping in and out of the mouth.
- Muscle engagement: Baby’s mouth is open wide, their lips are gently flipped outward, and their tongue is cupped around the bottle teat. They take rhythmic, even sucks throughout.
- Ease: Baby starts feeding right away, without needing much encouragement.
- Relaxed: Baby is comfortable and their hands and body are not tense or squirming.
Signs of a poor bottle latch
- Frequent unlatching: Pulling off the nipple and breaking rhythmic, consistent sucking pattern.
- Leaking milk: Instead of all milk being swallowed, it is leaking from baby’s mouth as they feed.
- Sounds: Baby should only make soft swallowing sounds, not gags, clicks, or choking noises.
- Fussiness: Crying or refusing the teat.
- Slow speed: Baby takes more than 20 minutes to finish a feed.
Common reasons baby isn’t latching properly
Signs baby needs a different nipple
Nipple shape and flow rate preference is often why babies reject bottles and struggle to latch.
Your baby may also find it difficult to manipulate the nipple if it is too firm. Choosing a nipple that is made from soft, supple silicone can help baby easily move the teat to a comfortable position for a natural latch and flow.
Nipple shape
Your baby might not find the bottle teat you’re using comfortable or its shape might not support a deep, effective latch.
A deep latch allows baby to use the middle of their tongue to create strong suction, and it means the nipple can reach the soft palate and stimulate their sucking reflex for a natural flow of milk.
Excess air intake can be a sign of a bad latch. You want a teat shape that supports a good lip seal as this will reduce air intake for less stress or gas.
Tommee Tippee nipples have a breast-like shapes that encourage a natural latch and help make switching from breast to bottle, easy.
Some babies prefer wide, breast-shaped nipples, while others feed more comfortably from deeper or triangular designs.
Our original Wide Latch nipple is breast-like and flexible, designed with special ridges that flex and stretch like a breast.
Alternatively, our Deep Latch nipple, developed with Healthcare Professionals^, has a triangular shape designed to easily reach the soft palate for a deep latch and natural pace.
Read our nipple help guide for choosing the right nipple shape for more advice.
Our Perfect Latch Trial Kit is great for finding their perfect nipple shape as it features both of our Natural Start nipples in an extra slow flow.
It also has a milk cup for cup feeding, a technique recommended by Healthcare Professionals for feeding breast milk while encouraging their latch.
Nipple flow rate
Bottle nipples come in different flow rates to match a baby's feeding ability. They offer baby more control of the speed at which milk flows, helping support a more successful latch and feeding experience.
Flow rates are just as important as nipple shape. If the milk is flowing too slow or too fast, baby may get frustrated as they feed, or struggle to keep up, leading to excess milk leaking out their mouth.
We have a range of flow rates, from extra slow first feeds up to fast flow, so you can find the right flow for your baby at every stage. Find out more about them here.
Read our guide to flow rates for help finding the right one for your baby.
Change feeding position
The position of baby and bottle can make it harder for baby to latch as they may feel uncomfortable, unable to take natural pauses to control their feeding, or the nipple might not be in the optimal position.
For bottle positioning, a moderate angle allows for milk to flow steadily and helps prevent air intake. Keep the bottle in a horizontal position with a slight tilt.
Positioning baby in a semi-upright position while supporting their head helps them breathe and swallow comfortably as they feed.
Make sure that you are sitting comfortably so both you and baby can relax. Positions you can try include cradle hold, lap support, seated, or other positions you can read about here.
Reduce air intake
Taking in too much air can make baby feel uncomfortable or windy. This discomfort can cause baby to squirm, arch their back, cry, or fuss, making it difficult to latch properly.
However, to reduce air intake, you need a good seal when baby latches.
As mentioned above, choosing the right nipple - both shape and flow rate - can help this, but so can choosing an anti-colic bottle or teat.
Tommee Tippee bottles are all anti-colic and designed to minimise the amount of air that babies swallow when feeding.
In our Natural Start nipples, there is an anti-colic valve that circulates air to stop the nipple from collapsing, which reduces excess air ingestion.
5 steps to establishing good bottle latch
1. Brush the bottle nipple from baby’s bottom lip upwards toward their nose to encourage them to open their lips.
2. Take your time. Give baby a few seconds to acknowledge that they’re about to feed and become accustomed to the situation.
3. When baby's mouth is fully open, place the side of the bottle on their chin so that they can accept the nipple deeply, angling it towards the roof of their mouth.
4. Baby’s bottom lip should now turn out and latch on to form a seal on the base of the nipple.
5. Make sure the nipple is filled with milk to prevent baby from swallowing excess air.
Top tip: You’ll know if baby’s seal has broken if milk is leaking from the corners of their mouth – gently remove the bottle and start again.
What to do if your baby’s latch isn’t improving?
If your baby’s latch isn’t improving, get in touch with your doctor or pediatrician. They can check for any anatomical issues that may be affecting latching, as well as offer other advice.
^ Applicable to the Deep Latch nipple and the 60ml Natural Start® bottle. To learn more about our work with Healthcare Professionals, see tommeetippee.com/hcp-claims-explained
