How to get a good breastfeeding latch

good breastfeeding latch

A good breastfeeding latch is a crucial first step to successful nursing. Without a proper good breastfeeding latch, your baby may not get all the milk they need, and nursing will be painful for you. To get a deep good breastfeeding latch, make sure your baby opens wide and gets a big mouthful of breast tissue. If breastfeeding hurts even with a good breastfeeding latch, you may have a nipple fissure or clogged milk duct. Reach out to a lactation consultant or healthcare provider for help.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Why a good breastfeeding latch is so important

With a good breastfeeding latch, your baby is securely fastened onto your breast and feeding well. They’ve formed a good seal around the areola (the dark skin surrounding your nipple), and their sucking signals your body to produce more milk.

While your nipples may be uncomfortable at first, you shouldn’t have severe pain. A good breastfeeding latch will ensure that your baby is getting the most milk and that breastfeeding is comfortable for both of you – which means you’ll be more likely to continue nursing.

A poor latch happens when your baby doesn’t get enough of your breast in their mouth. Instead, they suck just on the nipple, or even close to the end of the nipple. With a poor latch, your baby doesn’t get enough milk, and your nipples will hurt.

A bad latch is the primary cause of cracked or bleeding nipples while breastfeeding. It can also lead to problems such as clogged milk ducts, mastitis, and low milk supply.

One study found that an inability to latch was the most common reason breastfeeding mothers sought care from a lactation clinic. Though it may sound simple, helping your baby latch on properly isn’t easy. Make sure to ask a lactation consultant or nurse to help you master the technique before you leave the hospital.

Good latch vs. bad latch

Here are some signs your baby is latched correctly (or incorrectly).

Signs of a good breastfeeding latch

  • Your baby’s lips form a seal over your breast.
  • Your baby’s mouth is full of your breast.
  • Your baby’s lips flange outward, fish-like, and press against your breast.
  • Your baby’s chin is touching your breast.
  • Your baby’s nose is close to your breast, but up off the breast so they can breathe. (To make breathing easier for them, you may need to move your baby’s bottom closer to your body.)
  • Only a little of your areola is showing, but more of it is showing on the top (because your nipple is pointing toward the roof of your baby’s mouth).
  • You can see and hear your baby swallowing as they nurse – quickly at first, then more slowly. (Some babies do this very quietly, but you can notice a pause in their breathing when they swallow.)
  • The latch is comfortable for you. It doesn’t hurt after your baby nurses for a few seconds.

Signs of a bad breastfeeding latch

  • Your baby’s lips are curled inward.
  • You hear clicking noises when your baby is sucking.
  • Your baby moves their head from side to side while trying to latch or nurse.
  • You can’t see or hear your baby swallow.
  • Your nipple looks flat or compressed when your baby stops nursing. It should look about the same (maybe a little longer) as it did before nursing.
  • You’re in pain. You may feel discomfort or pain for the first few seconds, but this shouldn’t continue once your baby is latched on and nursing.

How to get your baby to latch properly

While some newborns instinctively know how to latch on and suck, many need help learning. This can be frustrating for you both at first. You may need to latch, break the latch, and relatch your baby several times at each feeding until they get it.

Once your baby finds that latching well and sucking results in a flow of milk, though, they’ll likely learn to use a good breastfeeding latch. Don’t let your baby suck with a poor latch. To avoid breastfeeding problems, it’s important to keep trying until you get a good latch.

Get comfortable and position your baby

Try to nurse your baby before they’re upset, which may make it harder to settle in. You can try different nursing positions to see what works well for you both. For example:

The cradle position – with your baby in your lap, facing you and resting in your forearm below the breast they’re nursing on – is often the nursing position you’ll start out using.

A crossover or cross-cradle hold is similar to the cradle hold, but the opposite arm supports your baby. So if you’re nursing on the left, your right hand will support your baby’s head. This position is best for newborns and small babies. It may also help if your baby is having trouble latching, because you can clearly see your baby’s latch and jaw movement.

With a clutch or football hold, you tuck your baby’s body under your arm – on the side they’re nursing on – like a football. This position is good for keeping your baby off a C-section incision. This position can make it easier to guide their head to your nipple, too.

The side-lying position can be good for women who have had a C-section or difficult delivery (making sitting up uncomfortable) and for those who like to nurse in bed. Lie on your side and pull your baby close to you, letting their head tilt back slightly so they can open their mouth wide. Slide your arm under your baby if they need to be higher to reach your breast.

For the twin hold or tandem nursing, put a large pillow or nursing pillow across your lap to cradle your babies. Place one baby under each arm, facing your breasts. Support their backs and heads with your arms and hands.

Make sure they get a deep latch

You want your baby to open their mouth wide enough to get a deep latch. If they don’t, they may wind up sucking on your nipple only, which can result in sore nipples and limit the amount of milk they receive.

You may also feel pain if the latch isn’t deep enough, because your nipple will be pressed against the hard roof in the front of your baby’s mouth. (The roof of the mouth is softer further back.)

Your goal is to have enough of your breast in your baby’s mouth so the nipple is drawn to the back of their mouth and their gums and tongue compress the areola. Their sucking movements will move the milk from the breast through the nipple.

To get a deep latch:

  • While cradling your baby in one arm, use the other hand to hold your breast with your thumb on top and your other fingers underneath (forming a “C”). Make sure your fingers are back far enough to not get in your baby’s way when they latch – not on or near the areola. You can gently compress the breast with your fingers – making the areola narrower and the nipple stick out. This breast “sandwich” may make it easier for your baby to get your breast into their mouth.
  • Aim your nipple toward the roof of your baby’s mouth, just above the inside of their top lip.
  • Make sure your baby opens wide (like a yawn) before you place your breast in their mouth. To help them do this, you can gently tickle their upper lip with your nipple, stroke the center of your baby’s lower lip with your nipple, or touch your baby’s chin to your breast.
  • Once your baby opens their mouth wide, pull them to your breast (rather than bringing your breast to their mouth).

Your baby’s lips should open wide around your breast. As they good breastfeeding latch on, their chin should touch your breast first and their upper lip should close around your breast last, ensuring they get a big mouthful of breast tissue, primarily the lower part of your areola and the breast beneath. You might still see a bit of your areola on top.

You’ll feel your baby’s tongue and mouth pull your breast – not just your nipple – into their mouth. Their lips should be turned outward – flanged like a fish – though you might not be able to see their bottom lip.

If latching hurts, try again

If the latch is painful or seems wrong, it’s important to start over. Gently slide a clean finger into the side of your baby’s mouth and between their gums. This will break the suction so you can reposition your baby and try again.

You also might need to release your baby’s latch if they fall asleep on your breast. But if your baby seems to be feeding contentedly and you’re comfortable, let them nurse until they’ve stopped sucking and release your breast on their own.

Things that can make latching difficult

Some babies and moms have issues that make it challenging for them to get a good breastfeeding latch. If this is the case, it’s important to get help from a healthcare provider or lactation consultant.

Tongue-tie

A tongue-tie means that the tissue connecting the underside of your baby’s tongue to the floor of their mouth is short or extends too far towards the front of the tongue. Many tongue-ties correct themselves in the first six weeks after birth, and many don’t cause any problems. But there’s some evidence that a tongue-tie could make it more difficult for a baby to good breastfeeding latch on properly.

Flat or inverted nipples

Sometime Mom’s nipples may be flat next to the breast tissue – or even indented – rather than protruding. This may be just how your nipples are, or it may happen if your breasts become engorged (overfull of milk). If your nipples are flat or inverted, your baby can still learn to good breastfeeding latch, but it may take a little extra time.

To help your baby, try:

  • Gently pulling back on the breast tissue to help the nipple protrude more
  • Using a breast pump for a few minutes to draw out the nipple before nursing
  • Using a nipple shield to help your baby latch on
  • Experimenting with a different breastfeeding position

Preterm birth

A baby who was born preterm may be less alert and have more trouble latching on, sucking, and swallowing than a baby born full term. A preemie may also be separated from you for examination and treatment more often, giving you less opportunity for the skin-to-skin contact with your newborn that helps with latching and breastfeeding.

When you can, time your breastfeeding sessions when your baby is alert but calm. Try the cross-cradle hold, and express some milk onto your nipple so your baby can taste it and be encouraged to good breastfeeding latch. Your baby may tire easily, so be prepared for many brief feedings. You may also need to pump breast milk in between feedings to keep your milk supply up.

Special needs

Babies born with special needs or conditions – those with Down syndrome or a cleft lip or cleft palate, for example – may have trouble latching. But babies with special needs also may especially benefit from breastfeeding, so it’s worth the time and encouragement it takes.

Get support from a lactation consultant, and pump if necessary to keep your milk supply up. If your baby isn’t sucking well and needs milk using another method (such as a bottle or syringe), use your own expressed milk, if you have it. If not, formula is just fine.

If breastfeeding hurts even with a good latch

While good breastfeeding latch is most often the culprit when breastfeeding hurts, there are other possibilities. If your baby is latched on correctly and you’re having pain while breastfeeding, it may be because:

  • Your nipples are sore because they need some time to get used to nursing. They’ll become less tender as you nurse more.
  • Your milk is taking a while to let down. This will improve over time, as your letdown reflex starts to work more quickly.
  • You have a nipple fissure. Cracked or bleeding nipples happen to most breastfeeding moms. Usually a poor latch is to blame, but it can also happen due to having a yeast infection of the nipple (if your baby has thrush) or eczema, or from using the wrong size breast pump flanges.
  • You have a clogged milk duct. This happens if your breast milk backs up in the tubes that carry your milk to your nipples. You may be able to feel a tender, hard lump in your breast where the milk is clogged. Try a different breastfeeding position, heat, and gentle massage. A clogged milk duct can progress into mastitis (a painful inflammation or infection), so let your provider know if the clog doesn’t get better in a day or two.

For any type of breastfeeding pain, it’s fine to take the correct dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If you find yourself needing to take pain relievers often, though, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant.

Getting comfortable with breastfeeding can take time – for you and your baby. If either of you is struggling, get help as soon as possible.

Read more about

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *