Babies latch on to where they get milk. If the baby goes to the breast and
gets milk (or something) he will usually stay there. Thus the best possible
latch, because the better the baby latches on, the more likely he is to get
milk. As the baby comes to the breast, I often ask the mother (or do it
myself) compress or squeeze the breast so the baby gets a little flow. And
compression during the first few sucks before the baby comes off again,
might keep him there.  But, if the baby is slipping off or did not get on,
the mother should not try to keep him there, because he will get upset or go
sleepy and not try anything. She should take him off and start again. If
he's got the breast, he won't let go anyway. And if he doesn't, no point in
trying to keep him there.

In case something *must* be done, a better approach than a nipple shield,
which I find an appalling idea at so early a stage, is to use a lactation
aid with a little sugar water and keep the baby there with that. But
patience is often the best policy--depends on many things. Often depends on
the mother's panic stage (1-10) and how much I can reassure her.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC