I try to cradle DS head in one hand and hold my boob with the other so I can help direct him, also will gently pull down on his chin to help him open wider if I need to. It happens less and less as he gets a little older, I think shallow latch is common in newborns. He bruised my nipple terribly around week 2, and I almost gave up it hurt so bad. Usually it is a little sore when he first latches on, but if I experience unusual pain beyond the initial latch I will slip my pinky finger in his mouth to break the seal and have him relatch. He is now 4 weeks and I don't have to do this very often anymore. Good luck op. Also consider contacting a lactation consultant - I had a great one from the hospital that spent about 15 or 20 minutes on the phone with me when I had the bruised nipple just talking me through it. I might have given up without her!

Before he was opening wide then I think he just got lazy or something. But I will check anyways.

Check for a tongue or lip tie as well my son did this it was very painful and I found out he had a lip tie it kept him from being able to open very wide

Thank you!! I will try these tips!
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Tap your nipple on the bottom & top of his lips. That should make him open his mouth more and then put your nipple in (you can do the sandwich like pp said if he still doesn't open wide enough). Good luck!

If I remember right, point your nipple down, that forces the chin to open wider, then up to open the top of the mouth. Their mouths should be wide and it shouldn't hurt. You can find demonstration videos on YouTube.

Have you tried squishing your boob like a sandwich and "shoving" it into lo's mouth? That's what helped me.

That what my daughter does. Only puts my nipple in her mouth then just sucks the rest of it in. ? for me it only hurts when she first does it. Sometimes, I tug a little bit on the bottom of her chin before she latches to get her to open up wider. Idk if that would help you too.