A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

Helping Your Baby Latch to the Breast
Some babies latch onto the breast easily and know
what to do. Other babies need more assistance.
Properly positioning your baby at the breast can
help you achieve better success when latching.
The cross-cradle and football hold are excellent
positions to experiment with during the first few
days, because you have better control of the latch.
Refer to the diagram showing cross-cradle and
football holds.
When positioning, “wrap your baby around you”
so that you and your baby are close to each other.
Remove bulky blankets and clothing so your baby
will be able to get close. Your forearm will be holding
your baby’s body and supporting her weight. Your
baby’s ear, shoulder and hip should be in a straight
line. Support your baby’s neck and shoulders with the
web between your thumb and index finger. Line up
your baby’s nose (not mouth) with the nipple, and tilt
the head back slightly.
With your other hand, support your breast with your
fingers underneath your breast and your thumb on
top (C – hold) or rotate your hand with your
fingers and thumb on either side of the breast
(U – hold). Use the hold that gently compresses
the breast to match the shape of your baby’s mouth.
To illustrate, an adult taking a bite from a sub
sandwich would compress it horizontally to better
match up with their horizontal mouth.
Be sure your fingers are well
behind the areola so your
baby will be able to latch
deeply. Push gently into the
breast with the thumb to help
the nipple point slightly upward
towards the roof of the mouth as your
baby latches.
Stroke your baby’s lips with your nipple until her
mouth is wide open, as if yawning. Timing is
important. As the mouth is open, aim the nipple to
the roof of your baby’s mouth and gently, quickly,
bring your baby onto the breast, with the chin
touching first so that your baby takes the breast
deeply into her mouth. Do this by using your arm
(not just hand or wrist). The nipple is the last part
Photos courtesy of medela.com
of the breast to go into your baby’s mouth. As your
baby’s upper lip covers the nipple and before the
mouth begins to close, pull baby in even closer to get
a good deep latch. The nipple should reach the back
of your baby’s mouth, which will trigger suckling. The
nose should be close or lightly touching the breast.
Your baby’s lower jaw does most of the work during
feedings; you should position the lower jaw as far
away from the base of the nipple as possible, with the
chin pressed into the breast. This is an “off-center” or
“asymmetrical” latch.
When properly latched, your baby will have drawn as
much breast tissue into his mouth as possible. Continue
to support your breast gently, as needed, for the
duration of the feeding to maintain a good latch. You
should see a wide latch with the lips turned out. You
should feel a rhythmic tugging sensation of the breast
and will occasionally hear soft swallowing sounds. Your
baby’s cheeks should appear smooth, without dimpling.
If you are having pain, check to see if your baby’s lips
are turned out. If not, try to gently pull them out or
take your baby off the breast by inserting your finger
into the corner of your baby’s mouth to beak the seal.
Latch again with the mouth open wider. If you are still
having pain, or if your baby is not feeding in the ways
described above, continue to reattach as needed until
your baby latches well. Be consistent—a good latch will
pay off! You will feel more comfortable with feedings
and your baby will get more milk, creating a good milk
supply.
Signs of a Good Latch
• Baby’s mouth is wide open, like a yawn
• The entire areola or as much of the breast tissue as
possible is in the mouth
• Baby’s lips are out, curled around the breast
• Baby’s chin, chest, hips and knees are facing and
touching your body
• Baby’s chin is firm against the breast
• Baby’s nose is close to the breast or lightly
touching it
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