How to Latch

If you are nursing in an upright position (cradle, cross cradle, or football) you will be controlling the latch more than the baby. A good latch is the foundation to breastfeeding. It will help your baby feed more efficiently and it will reduce the possible pain your could feel.

Follow these steps to get a good latch.

1. Baby should be at breast-level. Use as many pillows or other supports as you need so that you don’t have to support the baby completely with your arms. They may be small, but holding them in the same position for 20-30 minutes can make your arms tired.
2. Hold your breast with one hand (usually the same side as the breast you are nursing on) with your fingers under the breast supporting it, and your thumb on top. Put your pinky finger all the way against your body, you are FULLY supporting your breast, not just the nipple.
3. Pull your baby close. Tickle baby’s nose and upper lip with your nipple. This will help stimulate the baby’s sucking reflex. Wait until baby’s mouth opens wide, like a yawn.
4. Quickly bring the baby onto your nipple and breast so that his chin touches your breast first and he gets a large mouthful of nipple and breast. Like you are stuffing a hamburger into the baby’s mouth (you know how you fit a huge burger into your mouth to get a big bite – just like that!)
5. If anything hurts or doesn’t feel right, your baby is probably not latched correctly. Use your finger to gently break your baby’s latch by sticking it in at the side of the baby’s mouth. DO NOT just pull your breast out of the baby’s mouth! Ouch!
6. Try again to reposition your baby. Don’t give up! You and your baby can do this. You are each learning something new!

If you have a good latch, you should notice the following:

• bay’s nose almost touches or touches your breast. Baby can breathe by flaring his nostrils and breathing from the sides of his nostrils.
• Baby’s lips are flanged out all the way around his mouth. You can use your fingers to help get baby’s lips out after baby is latched if you need to.
• 1/2 and inch of your breast is in the baby’s mouth