Most of the time, infants who suck a few times and fall off the breast
have not gotten a proper hold on the breast, and the nipple never hit
the junction of the hard and soft palates, where it triggers continued
sucking.

Proper technique (asymmetrical latch) is the first thing to try.  If
that doesn't work, I look for:
engorgement and inelastic breasts that baby can't stretch into his mouth
tongue tie or short tongue
short lower jaw (mandible)
Those are the usual reasons.  Helping mom shape the breast, and helping
baby get his tongue tip and lower lip as far away from the base of the
nipple as possible help him to grasp the breast properly if the "baby
does it himself if held close enough to mom with his chin and chest to
the breast and the nipple under his nose" doesn't work.



--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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