Latching on

Watch how your baby’s mouth is placed on your breast. Regardless of what position you use, the basics of latching baby on are the same.

• Hold baby close, tummy to tummy, at breast level with your hand supporting baby’s neck and upper shoulders.
• With your other hand, use a “C” hold on your breast (thumb on top, four fingers supporting under breast, off areola).
• Aim your nipple to baby’s nose. Run nipple along baby’s upper lip, from one corner to another lightly.
• As baby opens mouth wide, bring baby into your breast, touching baby’s chin first.
• Watch baby’s lower lip; aim it as far from the base of nipple as possible, so baby’s tongue draws a lot of your breast into baby’s mouth.
• Move baby’s body and head together and keep baby uncurled.
• Once latched, baby’s top lip will be close to your nipple, some areola may show above baby’s lip. Keep baby’s chin close to your breast.

If baby has latched on well, she may nurse until she is satisfied. Support your breast throughout feeding for the first three to four weeks.

Once your baby has latched on and has been nursing for a minute or two, you may feel a tingling sensation in your breasts.

This is called the “let down” reflex and is an important signal that your breasts are releasing the milk they are now making. When this occurs, you may notice milk dripping from the other breast.

The let down reflex can be elicited by nursing, thoughts of your newborn, warm water or relaxation. The sensation may be quite strong or less definite at other times.

Nursing pads may be helpful, (especially in the early weeks) to keep any leaking milk from soaking through your clothing. Avoid pads with plastic liners. Plastic traps moisture, and can contribute to sore nipples. Change pads often so moisture doesn’t build up next to your skin.

After your baby has nursed at one breast for awhile and then pauses, switch her to your other breast.

When you are ready to break the suction, insert your finger along her gumline before pulling her away. This will prevent sore nipples. Allow your newborn to nurse from both breasts at each feeding. Doing so encourages milk production and can help prevent engorgement.