What to do when your baby can’t latch on one side

It can be confusing when your baby latches beautifully on one breast but struggles on the other. You may notice your baby:

• Pulls off quickly from one side
• Keeps turning their head and unlatching
• Leaves you with a l“lipstick-shaped nipple”” or compressed nipple on one sid

And you’re left wondering: If they can do it on the right, why not the left?

👉 Before we dive in, grab my free guide :here Baby-Led Latching — it walks you through a gentle, step-by-step way to help your baby find the breast more easily.

Also made you a free checklist for at home strategies to help with tension click here to download it. - recommend putting it around the house as a reminder for you and other caregivers so everyone is on the same page.

Why Does My Baby Only Latch Well on One Side?

Most parents assume it’s something about the breast itself: nipple shape, size, or milk flow. While those can play a role, the biggest factor I see in practice is body tension.

What is Body Tension?

Breastfeeding is a whole-body activity. If your baby’s muscles are tight or restricted, it impacts how they open wide, tilt their chin, or turn their head to latch.

Many babies retain tension patterns from their time in the womb. For example, if your baby was curled up with their head tilted left in utero, they may still prefer turning left now — which makes one side much easier to latch on than the other.

Torticollis and Breastfeeding

One common type of body tension is congenital muscular torticollis. This happens when the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in the neck is shortened, usually from a restricted position in utero.

Signs torticollis may be impacting feeding include:

• Head tilting to one side
• Difficulty turning toward one breast
• Baby seems stiff in neck and shoulders
• Trouble opening mouth wide
• Rolling away from the breast during latching
• Baby hating tummy time

📖 Cathy Genna Watson, IBCLC, notes: “The twisted head position causes the baby to repeatedly roll away from full lip and chin contact with the breast, frustrating both parent and infant.”

👉 Want more support with latch? Download my Complete Guide to Baby-Led Latching here — it’s free and walks you through practical strategies. I also made you a checklist to help you with things you can do at home to help with tension.

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Who Can Help With Body Tension?

Here is a freebie to give a starting point for at home stratigies for managing body tension in baby.

If your baby struggles to latch consistently, it’s often not about “your nipples being the wrong shape” (a myth I hear daily) — it’s about body tension. The good news? You don’t have to figure this out alone. Building a support team can make feeding so much easier.

🍼 IBCLC (Lactation Consultant)

This is your starting point. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) will look at your baby’s feeding patterns, positioning, and latch in detail. We’re trained to notice when tension or oral restrictions may be playing a role and can help you decide whether bodywork or additional referrals are needed.

🌿 Craniosacral Therapist (CST)

CSTs use gentle hands-on techniques to help release restrictions in a baby’s muscles and fascia (the connective tissue). Sessions are very light touch — often babies sleep through them! Parents often notice their baby seems calmer, more flexible, and able to open wider after treatment.

💆 Pediatric Chiropractor

Unlike adult chiropractic care, pediatric adjustments are extremely gentle — think light fingertip pressure, not cracking and popping. For some babies, a chiropractor can help with neck stiffness, body asymmetry, or difficulty turning the head both ways, all of which can affect breastfeeding.

🏃 Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT)

PTs and OTs who specialize in infants work on improving range of motion, mobility, and coordination. If your baby has torticollis, head tilt, or flat spots on the skull, a PT/OT can help with targeted exercises to gradually lengthen tight muscles and restore balance.

✨ How to Know Who’s Right for Your Baby

This is where your IBCLC comes back in. After assessing your baby, they’ll recommend which type of provider is most appropriate in your area. Sometimes just one bodywork session makes a noticeable difference, but often it’s a combination of strategies — hands-on therapy + at-home support — that gives the best results.

Pro Tip: When you meet with a bodywork provider, tell them your main feeding concerns (painful latch, preference for one breast, nipple compression, etc.). That helps them tailor treatment to your baby’s exact needs.

Positioning Help if Your Baby Prefers One Side

Our number one goal is to help your baby move their body with ease so they can breastfeed comfortably in a variety of positions. When babies are dealing with body tension, certain positions may feel much harder than others.

While you’re working with a bodyworker, you can make latching easier by feeding in positions that honor your baby’s preferred head and body alignment. For example:

👉 If your baby only latches well in a cross-cradle hold on the left, try a football hold on the right. This keeps their body in the same relative position while giving you access to the other breast.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Some babies feed best in laid-back or side-lying positions, while others prefer more upright holds. The “right” position is simply the one that helps you and your baby feel more comfortable and successful.

Cathy Genna Watson, IBCLC, explains:
“Creative positioning may be required when an infant has structural differences from a restricted intrauterine environment. Torticollis is frequently under-recognized and any alteration in neck mobility or facial symmetry should be brought to the attention of the infant's healthcare provider.”

In my clinical experience, many providers take a “wait and see” approach when it comes to neck mobility or torticollis. But as a parent, you don’t have to wait. If you notice a persistent head preference, difficulty turning both ways, or flat spots developing, I strongly recommend asking for a referral to a pediatric physical therapist (PT) for an evaluation. Starting a treatment plan early can make a huge difference — not just for feeding, but for your baby’s overall comfort and development.

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I am a huge fan of Michelle Emanuel’s tummy time method which focuses on short bursts of quality tummy time throughout the day focused on the parent-child connection.  You can find a list of tummy-time certified professionals here.

Key Takeaways

• Struggling to latch on one side is often related to body tension, not just nipple shape or milk flow.
• Temporary fixes like adjusting positioning can help — but addressing body tension with IBCLC + bodywork support gives long-term results.
• At-home strategies like tummy time, babywearing, and movement support your baby between appointments.
• Don’t wait — if you notice a strong head preference or flat spot, ask your pediatrician for a PT referral. Early help makes a big difference.

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Cheering you on, always!!

XOXO

Kelly

Boob School Founder and CEO

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