My Pregnancy

Postpartum - How to latch your baby on to your breast

How to latch your baby on to your breast

– With their head tipped back so that their tongue can reach as much of your breast as possible.

– When they attach you should see much more of the darker nipple skin above your baby’s top lip than below their bottom lip. Your baby’s cheeks will look full and rounded as they feed

Latching position

– Make sure your baby’s head, neck and spine are aligned. and facing your breast. Your baby should be close to you.

– You should feell comfortable. Use pillows or cushions to support your back, arms or baby.

Baby's mouth opening

– Your nipple level should be with baby’s nose.

– Let your baby’s head tip back a little so that their top lip can come against your nipple.

– Touch your nipple gently against his upper lip to encourage him to open his mouth wide. The wider his mouth is, better it is.

Nipple position inside baby's mouth

– Aim your nipple towards the roof of baby’s mouth and he/she should take a large portion of your areola into his mouth.

– During breast feeding one may or may not see part of areola which isn’t inside baby’s mouth. Usually more of areola near baby’s upper lip is visible than lower lips.

The contact

Your baby chin should be firmly in contact with your breast and the nose should be turned up and clear so they can breathe easily while breastfeeding.

The sucking

At first baby will do short, rapid sucks to stimulate milk flow (let-down reflex). Once milk starts flowing, they’ll suck more slowly and deeply with some pauses.

Signs of a Good Latch

The latch should not hurt rather it should be more of a tugging sensation and on long-term baby should be producing enough dirt and wet nappies and gaining weight.

– Infant’s chest rests against the mother’s body

– Infant’s chin touches the breast, while nose should not be in contact with any thin

– Infant’s tongue is down

– Infant’s lips flanged outwards

– Little or no areola is visualized

– Rhythmic sucking present

– Audible swallowing present

– The latch is not uncomfortable or painful.

– The nipple is not injured or misshapen after breastfeeding.