Latch

A “latch” is the way a baby attaches to the breast to suckle. A good latch is important to help your baby transfer the milk, to help your breasts to make more milk and to prevent painful nipples.

• Find a comfortable position with lots of support. Snuggle your baby in close to you.

• Line up baby’s nose with your nipple. Baby’s head can then tilt. Let baby’s chin and lower lip touch the breast first and when their mouth opens wide, guide the open mouth up and over your nipple. A wide open mouth helps baby to get more of the dark skin around your nipple (areola) in baby’s mouth (not just the nipple).

• Once on the breast, baby’s chin will be pushed in against the breast.

• Keep the tip of baby’s nose touching your breast but be sure you can see the baby’s nostrils so he can breath.

Deep Latch

1. Find a comfortable position

2. Support baby

3. Bring baby to you

4. Point nipple to roof of mouth

5. Align nose to nipple

6. Dig chin into the breast

7. Roll baby on from bottom lip to top lip

You can tell your baby is latched on well and getting milk if:

• Lips are curled out wide

• Cheeks are rounded

• You can hear or see baby swallowing

• You do not feel pain while breastfeeding