Tips for Getting a Good Latch

While breastfeeding is natural and instinctual for both moms and babies, it’s still a skill that takes practice and requires patience.  Even if you’re an experienced breastfeeder, it’s a new experience for your baby and it can take time for him/her to get the hang of it.  Whether it’s your first baby or your twelfth, each nursing experience is unique and these tips can help you navigate getting an effective and comfortable latch. 

Get Naked

• Put on a robe and strip baby down to a diaper.  Skin to skin can be a game changer for getting a good comfortable latch. You can gently lay a receiving blanket over baby’s back if it’s chilly in the room.

Relax and Lean Back

• If you are stressed, baby will be stressed.  Take some deep breaths, get a shoulder massage from your hubby, have a warm drink and let go of any tension in your body.  Lean way back, mimicking the position you first held baby skin to skin in after delivery.

Let the Chin take the Lead

• Having baby’s chin hit the lower part of the breast first triggers a wide mouth and ensures baby’s head is tipped back like drinking a glass of water, instead of tipped down with baby’s chin touching his/her neck.

Wait for a Wide Open Mouth

• Baby’s mouth should be wide open like eating a big juicy hamburger, not like slurping a smoothie.  It’s called “breastfeeding” not “nipple feeding”.

Bring Baby Close

• Ensure there are no gaps between you and baby.  Look at baby’s body alignment and adjust as needed so his/her belly button is facing your tummy.  Look at baby’s shoulders and hips and ensure they are in alignment with his/her ears and turned in towards your body, not pulling away.  Allow baby’s arms to hug the breast and keep his/her hands free of mittens.

Peak and Tweak

• Once latched, take a peak at baby’s lips to see if they are flanged out like a fish.  If they are tucked under, take your finger and gently flange them out to get a more comfortable latch.

Try Nursing in the Bath

• Some moms find co-bathing with their baby can be just the ticket to smoother sailing when breastfeeding challenges crop up.  Always take extra precautions to ensure the safety of you and your baby if you choose to try this.  It can be helpful to have another person close by to assist.

Assess for Comfort and Effectiveness 

• Ultimately a good latch is less about the look and more about the mom’s comfort and the baby’s effectiveness at transferring milk

Get Tailored Support

• If you are in pain, or baby isn’t meeting recommended diaper output guidelines or gaining weight according to their growth chart curve, then reach out for personalized help and support right away! Don’t silently suffer; help is just a phone call away.  Sometimes it just takes a few simple adjustments. Hang in there mama! Get help now!