In order for your baby to get milk from your breast, your baby must latch onto your breast. The word ‘latch’ describes the way your baby takes your breast into her mouth. Your newborn baby has the natural ability to self-latch onto your breast after delivery. This normally happens when your baby is placed tummy-to-tummy on your chest. Your baby will use her reflexes to push herself to your breast and latch on with little or no help. This will usually happen within the first hour of birth, and is the ideal time to begin breastfeeding your baby.
Positioning your baby
Before positioning your baby it is important that you are in a comfortable position. Using a comfortable chair, cushions, pillows, blankets, and a foot stool will help you to relax into a comfortable position and help prevent you from straining your neck and shoulders. When you are comfortable, make sure you bring baby to you and don’t try to lean into your baby. Leaning into your baby can cause neck and shoulder strain and may affect your baby’s position.
There are many different positions you can use whilst breastfeeding. Breastfeeding positions include: the cross-cradle hold, cradle hold, football hold and side-lying with your baby. It is important that you find which ones are most comfortable for you and your baby. While feeding your baby in an upright position it is best if your baby’s head, shoulders and hips are in line, not turned or twisted. Your baby’s body should be facing you with no head-turning required. Her body should be pressed close to your body, while you support her neck and head.
Latching your baby on
Latching your baby on can be a learning process for you and for your baby. The latch is one of the most important parts of successful breastfeeding. There are some specific techniques you can use when latching your baby, to achieve an effective latch, to help you understand your baby’s mouth during breastfeeding, and understand where you nipple and areola would be most comfortable and effective. You can place your finger in your own mouth behind your teeth and feel the hard palate at the top of your mouth. This feels like a ridge/ hard surface area. If your nipple is placed against the hard palate of your baby’s mouth, this can cause pain and compress the nipple, which may result in nipple damage and reduced milk transfer to your baby. If you place your finger further back in your mouth, you can feel the soft palate of your mouth. This is a soft smooth surface area and can feel more comfortable for your nipple and allow for better milk transfer to your baby.
You can help your baby to achieve a comfortable more effective latch by:
- Placing your baby tummy-to-tummy.
- When putting you baby to your breast, support your baby’s head and neck; don’t restrict your baby’s head from tilting back.
- With your baby’s head tilted back and chin up, bring your baby in close to your breast.
- If you need to help guide your baby to the nipple, you can hold your breast in a ‘C’ or ‘U’ shape, using your index finger and thumb.
- Aim your nipple towards your baby’s top lip or nose. You can rub your nipple across your baby’s top lip to help her to open her mouth wide.
- Wait for your baby to open her mouth wide, then bring your baby onto the breast, with baby’s chin touching your breast first, and baby’s mouth coming up over the nipple and areola.
- Your baby’s nose should be at the breast, with your baby’s chin touching the breast.
- If your baby’s nose is buried deep into the breast, you can simply tilt your baby’s head slightly.
- Your baby’s lips top and bottom, should be turned outwards in a ‘K’ shape.
Signs of a good latch
- Your baby’s cheeks should be rounded.
- Your baby mouth is wide open.
- You can hear your baby swallowing.
- You might see milk as the sides of your baby’s mouth.
- Your baby’s lips are turned outwards.
- You should not hear clicking or smacking noises.
- Your baby’s chin will continue to touch your breast throughout the feed.
- When your baby comes off the breast, your nipple should be rounded, not a pointed or lipstick shape.
- Your baby finishes the feed satisfied and relaxed.
Even when a health professional tells you the latch looks right and your position is perfect. If your baby is not effectively taking milk from your breast or if the latch is painful, something is wrong. If you are experiencing difficulties breastfeeding your baby, you can contact a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or you can attend a breastfeeding support group in your area.
When you are latching your baby onto your breast or positioning your baby for feeding, the most important things to remember are: an effective latch and a comfortable position.
