how to latch baby to the breast
Superpower your parenting know-how with comprehensive support and education from Nikki Mather IBCLC
LATCH YOUR BABY TO THE BREAST COMFORTABLY
It is 3am and you are up trawling the internet again for videos and images of the perfect latch.
You have been told the latch is great, but something tells you that things are not quite right for you whilst feeding your baby.
LEAD WITH THEIR CHIN
*Get yourself into a comfortable position, snacks and water close by.
*Your baby will be close to you, their head will be tipped back to enable their chin to come to the breast first;
*Imagine a button in their chin which when pressed, the reflex for opening wide is activated, and they know they’re in a good position to latch.
*Your nipple is pointing up the nostrils, in the direction of the soft palate at the back of the mouth.
*A deep attachment helps baby to transfer good volumes of milk, and you are comfortable.
ATTACHING TO THE BREAST
*Bring baby quickly to the breast to achieve a deep attachment and a comfortable latch without discomfort.
*Little to no areola is visible at the top lip (see image below), baby’s chin and cheeks are all in contact with the breast when a deep latch is achieved.
*Rhythmic swallowing can be heard, 1 or 2 sucks per swallow throughout, with some short pauses, before starting to drink in a good pattern again.
*Avoid leaning into & posting your breast into their mouth, this can encourage a shallow attachment, and is uncomfortable for you if leaning forward, staying in that awkward place you find yourselves in!
How do i know if my baby is feeding well?
As a general rule of thumb, a newborn baby in the first 6-8 weeks of life who is hydrated and feeding well will:
– have 6-8 wet nappies per day;
– a minimum of 2 dirty nappies per day (3/4 or more is also normal) of good, “seedy” consistency and variations of mustard colour;
– show signs of relaxation (hands unclasped and floppy) towards the end of a feed when baby is full;
– sleep well between feeds or remain peaceful and are calm if they remain awake for a time afterwards;
– you will be comfortable during feeds with no cracked, chaffed or bleeding nipples