Your baby is screaming, they need milk, now. You tell yourself, “It’s ok if I just sit on the kitchen barstool this time.” We understand. But, no. There are no real tricks for breastfeeding latch. All you need is a bit of time to get yourself and your baby in position and then how to know that your baby is latched on well and drinking.
Follow these four steps below and you will be all set! It’s always worth it to take the time and get your baby properly latched on.
If you have more general breastfeeding questions head to our breastfeeding FAQ and if you are looking for breastfeeding ointments and product recommendations from our professional team head to our shop.
Step 1: Getting in position
Breastfeeding with a good latch starts with you
Your back, arms and legs should be supported. Extra points for a headrest and having a glass of water and bowl of nuts within reach. If you are calm and set up comfortably, you will be able to position your baby with no tricks required and ensure an efficient feeding.
Introducing Breastfeeding & you
Learn from 6 experts how to care for your breasts, your nutritional needs, self-breast massage, nipple care, how to deal with engorgement and plugged ducts, and enjoy sleep and meditation tracks for breastfeeding women in our online course
Once you are set up, you can get your baby situated
Hold your baby close to you. Their chest should be against your body, whether you are seated or lying to feed. You want their body to be in one line, so that they will not turn their head to feed – this often means that they are on their side. If you are lying down with your baby alongside you, push a big pillow right up against their back to keep them lying sideways without having to hold them there.
You often need to move your baby lower down (towards your toes) than you think. Remember that you want your baby’s chin to be lifted from their chest, and your nipple to be aligned with the roof of their mouth.
Step 2: Latching on
Your baby is born with reflexes, two of which help them feed; the rooting reflex and the suck reflex. The rooting reflex helps your baby find the bottle or breast and get ready to suck. It is activated by stroking the corner of their mouth. So one breastfeeding trick for latching on is to get your baby’s reflexes to work for you!
Read more on the milestones of 1 month old.
- Hold your breast like you have mittens on (thumb opposite of your other four fingers), squeeze out a bit of colostrum – the smell will help your baby turn towards you and also give them immediate gratification once they latch on.
- Your other hand will be behind your baby’s head to guide them onto your breast. You want to bring the baby to your breast, not hunch over to get your breast in your baby’s mouth.
- Use your nipple to stroke the corner of your baby’s mouth and activate their rooting reflex so that they will open up their mouth
- Squeeze/flatten your breast like you would smash down a hamburger to position it deep into your baby’s mouth. Aim your nipple to touch the roof of their mouth, which will trigger the suck reflex.
- Bring your baby onto your breast. Remember your baby’s mouth will cover most of the areola, not just the nipple. Yes, they have a very tiny mouth. Yes, your breasts are huge. That’s why the hamburger squeeze is crucial – try to have as much of your breast as possible in your baby’s mouth. Cracked nipples often result from your baby latching onto just the nipple.
- Make sure that your baby’s chin is not touching their chest. Their chin and nose will be smushed in your breast.
- Look at your baby’s lips. You want your baby to have fish lips – both upper and lower lips flipped out. Their tongue needs to be positioned under your nipple. You likely won’t see this when they are very small, but as they get bigger you can see their tongue sticking out underneath.
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Don’t miss our Breastfeeding FAQ
Step 3: Check your work
My baby is latched on, so I must be breastfeeding with a good latch! Not so fast … Now that your baby is on you need to make sure that two things are also happening: 1. That they are actually drinking and 2. That you are relaxed.
Look and listen
- Watch your baby’s temple and ears – you should see movement
- Look at their throat – do you see swallowing?
- Listen closely – you should also hear them swallowing every few gulps
Do a body check
- Are your shoulders relaxed and far from your ears?
- Are you holding the baby’s weight? If so, get a pillow or blanket and prop under them to hold their weight
- Have you relaxed your arm, bicep, elbow, and forearm? They should not be tense or holding any weight. Again, gather supporting items to wedge in and support
- Take a deep breath and relax, this will let the oxytocine flow. What does oxytocin do? and the let down, decrease in stress and attachement begin.
Quick tips on breastfeeding positions from personal trainer, Emi – avoid the triple flex!
Step 4: Reposition if needed
If you experience pain (and you do not have new or healing cracked nipples), or if your baby is latched on but not drinking, you should reposition. Work a clean finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth, then along the gums to break the seal. Start again from the top, with positioning yourself and then your baby’s body and head to ensure a good latch when breastfeeding.
Before and after feeds, your nipple should look the same – not pinched, more oval, or deformed in another way. This is good to check after a feed to confirm that the breastfeeding latch was a good one.
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Great tips, I have to try them out myself!
Thanks for sharing, we’re so happy to hear!