Securing a good breastfeeding latch
Dr. Laurie Jones
Pediatrician
Learning the art of the latch can take time and patience. It’s a partnered dance you’re doing with a brand-new partner! Follow these steps to help your baby latch properly:
Find a safe and comfortable place to breastfeed where you can relax, and your baby is calm. Recline on a bed, couch, or comfy chair, use pillows to support your arms and lower back, if you find this helpful, and have water nearby to drink.
If you are drowsy or concerned about falling asleep while your baby is in a vulnerable position, ask a nearby loved one to stay close, or set alarms on your phone to stay alert until you and your baby can transition to safe sleeping spots.
Put your baby in only a diaper belly-down on your bare chest. (Add a blanket for warmth—or a fan for coolness, if you are in a hot or muggy place.) Being skin-to-skin can calm you and your baby, and can improve both your baby’s latch and your milk let-down.
It’s ideal for your baby’s whole body to face yours. (It’s difficult to swallow with your neck turned!) If only your baby’s head is turned toward your breast, adjust her whole body to face you. She’ll be more comfortable if her ear, shoulders, and hips are in alignment.
Because mammary tissue is behind the areola, the more breast tissue your baby can latch on to, the easier the flow. Quick tips:
- Hand-express milk onto your nipple, and touch it to your baby’s lips.
- Press the palm of your hand under your baby’s shoulder blades to jut out his chest and naturally flex his head back.
- Aim your nipple to your baby’s nose so that it hits the roof of his mouth; this is called the “flipple technique,” and it encourages a wider latch and deeper suction.
- Check that your baby’s bottom lip is flipped out, and that there’s more areola above his mouth than below it.
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Your baby is used to being fully supported in the womb. You can provide that sense of security by placing her tummy on yours and cradling her head, shoulders, and upper back with one of your hands and arms. If you want to bring your baby closer to your breast, gently press her upper back toward you—but not her head, as doing so can force her mouth to close.
There are a few things you can watch for to ensure a proper latch:
- When your baby latches, you feel a comfortable pulling and tugging sensation.
- Your baby’s jaw moves rhythmically up and down while swallowing.
- Your nipple looks round and extended after feeding (unless you have flat or inverted nipples).
- Your breast feels softer after a feed, because your baby has successfully transferred milk.
If the latch doesn’t feel right, try to reset it by gently inserting a clean finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the suction. This will help you avoid sore nipples and engorgement.
Additional resources
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