How to latch your breastfeeding baby
An efficient latch is essential for breastfeeding success. If the baby does not latch correctly, your milk will not be expressed, and then comes a domino effect of problems. You will be left with a hungry baby, insufficient milk supply, painful nipples….the list goes on. Be mindful of baby’s latch every single time, and act quickly if it is not right.
Common causes of a poor latch
Mouth is not open wide enough
Prior to bringing your baby to breast, make sure baby’s mouth is open WIDE. The baby should not be shallow or latching on to your nipple at all. Instead, get as much of your areola in baby’s mouth as possible.
Always remember, we are NOT nipple feeding, we are breastfeeding.
Flat or inverted nipples
Having flat or inverted nipples can make it more difficult for your baby to latch, however, it is definitely still possible. Remember that your baby’s mouth should be encompassing your areola, not your nipple!
Here are a couple of ideas to consider if struggling with flat or inverted nipples:
1) consider a nipple shield
2) pump for a short time prior to feeds to help bring out your nipple
3) try a “nipple extractor” to see if it helps bring out your nipple
4) get lactation involved so they can physically help with the latching
Tongue ties
Tongue ties can be easily missed. If you’re noticing that it’s a struggle for your baby to latch, ask lactation to evaluate and they can help you assess for a tongue tie. If your baby does have one, they can be clipped and fixed so that latching can be much easier for them.
Fun Fact: Our areolas darken during pregnancy for the sole purpose of providing a bullseye image for the baby to aim for. Pretty amazing how our bodies work!
How to latch your baby
- Find your most comfortable breastfeeding position. Note: Baby’s head should remain midline/straight and baby’s body should be against yours.
- Tickle your baby’s nose and lips with your nipple.
- As soon as your baby opens WIDE and roots for your breast, gently pinch down alongside your areola to “sandwich it in,” as I like to say. Think about how you would eat a giant cheeseburger or sandwich……you would squeeze it down so that you could squish it and take a bite out of it with your mouth. It can’t be vertical, not diagonal, you want to have it perfectly horizontal and in line with your mouth. That’s how your baby wants it too. Squeeze it down so that much of your areola can be fit into baby’s mouth. Make adjustments to where you squeeze depending on the location of your baby’s head and mouth.
- Bring baby to breast! NOT breast to baby. BRING BABY to breast. This is so important. At the beginning, you might need to do it quickly so that you don’t miss the cue and wide mouth. But with time you will both get the groove and it will go smoother.
- Baby’s lips should now be flanged outward around your areola. If they are not, break the seal by placing your pinky finger in the corner of their mouth, and start over.
How do you know if baby’s latch is correct?
- Much of your areola is in baby’s mouth. Your baby should not have their mouth latched onto your nipple.
- Lips are flanged outward around the areola, not inward or pursed.
- Baby’s chin touches your breast
- Audible swallowing. If baby’s mouth is wide around your areola, lips are flanged out, and you hear audible swallowing- you totally got this.
- You notice the suck-swallow-breathe pattern.
- You are comfortable! Do not try to tell yourself that excruciating nipples are normal.
When in doubt, seek more help. Your breastfeeding journey depends on a proper latch, so ask questions and get an assessment if you feel something may be wrong. I believe in a mother’s gut instinct. Take care of yourself so you can care for your sweet baby. Happy nursing! 💛