How to latch a baby

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.

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;
– baby will show signs of relaxation (hands unclasped and floppy) towards the end of a feed;
– 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

quick guide on how to latch a baby to the breast

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.

Bring baby to you

*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, 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 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!

when to seek support from a feeding specialist

Below you will find a few questions to ask yourself to discover whether you would benefit from seeking support from a Lactation Consultant

Is baby drinking well and regularly 8-12 times a day, and settling well in-between?
Are you and baby comfortable and attaching well at the breast, chest or bottle in a position which works for you?
Has anybody observed a full feed to check this and reassure you and explain how to recognise the signs your baby is transferring milk well?
How many wet and dirty nappies? Do you have at least 2 stools and 6-8 wet nappies per day?
Are you and your baby getting sleep between feeds?
Are their hands relaxed and open after a feed, and does your baby sleep well?
Is baby coughing, spluttering during feeds or refusing to feed?
Have you heard the ‘diagnosis’ of reflux, CMPA, allergies from somebody who is not a feeding specialist?
Has your baby been prescribed medication or specialist formula?