Breastfeeding Latch Tips: How to Help Your Baby Nurse Comfortably

We’re often told that breastfeeding is "natural," which can make you feel like you’re failing if it doesn’t just click. The reality is that breastfeeding is a learned skill. Just like a dance where you and your baby are brand new partners, and you have to learn the steps together. It takes patience and a whole lot of practice.

Okay, you’re comfy, you’ve spotted the cues, and you're ready to go. Let's talk mechanics.

1. Nose to Nipple: This is the cornerstone of a great latch. Position your baby so their nose is lined up with your nipple. This simple alignment encourages them to tilt their head back and open their mouth super wide (gape). We're looking for a big, wide-open gape.

2. Bring Baby to Breast: As soon as you see that big, wide-open mouth, that’s your cue! Bring them to the breast quickly, aiming for their lower lip to touch down first. Support their body, but try to avoid putting pressure on the back of your baby's head, which can make them pull back.

3. A Pro Tip for a Wider Gape: Is your baby's mouth just not opening wide enough? It's a super common and frustrating problem. Try this amazing little trick: While supporting your baby, apply some gentle but firm pressure to the soles of their feet. This often triggers a reflex that makes them open wider!

What to LISTEN For:

• Swallowing, Not Just Sucking: You should hear soft "ca" sounds, which means they are swallowing milk. A good rhythm is a swallow for every one or two sucks. If you hear lots of sucks but no swallows, they may not be transferring milk effectively.

How it should FEEL for You:

• A Gentle Tug: A good latch should feel like a gentle tugging or pulling sensation.

• Pain is a Red Flag: What you should not feel is sharp, pinching, or biting pain. That's a sign to stop

Remember, you can always start over. This might be the most important takeaway of all. If a latch is painful or just feels off you can start over. Gently slide your clean pinky finger into the corner of your baby's mouth to break the suction, and then try again from the beginning. There is absolutely no award for toughing out a bad latch!

Finally, please hear this: You do not have to figure this out all by yourself. If you’ve tried these tips and you're still in pain or struggling, reaching out to a lactation care provider or your doctor is a total sign of strength, not failure. They are experts who can give you personalized help.