How To Get A Good Latch Breastfeeding

Why attachment is important

A baby who attaches well to the breast can help prevent many breastfeeding problems. It's more likely for breastfeeding to be comfortable and for the baby to be able to remove milk well from the breast. This helps ensure a good milk supply so the baby grows well.

Sore, grazed or cracked nipples usually mean your baby is not attached properly and has damaged your nipples. A poorly attached baby is not usually taking enough milk. This can lead to a blocked duct or mastitis.

Breastfeeding — natural but also learned

Breastfeeding, although natural, is also a learned skill. This is especially true in modern westernised culture.

All baby mammals have natural instincts which enable them to find their mother's breast from birth with little or no help from anyone. These instinctive behaviours include:

sticking tongue out
turning head from side to side
wriggling
finding and grasping the nipple
latching-on to the breast
suckling.

These instinctive behaviours are seen as early as the first 1–2 hours after birth and continue for at least 3 months after birth. Sometimes a mother's (and her baby's) instincts may be reduced by drugs used during the birth or by hospital procedures such as limited or delayed skin-to-skin time. However, this can be overcome by a mother and her baby spending as much time as possible together in skin-to-skin contact. A mother can be sure that she doesn't have to know it all and that her baby is born hardwired to breastfeed.

Baby-led attachment

'Baby-led attachment' is the term used to describe the process of a baby seeking out their mother's breast. Baby-led attachment offers your baby the most natural introduction to breastfeeding. It is particularly helpful for babies who are reluctant starters. Here is a step-by-step guide to baby-led attachment.

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Start with a calm baby (eg bringing your baby to your breast could help) . A calm baby is more likely to be able to follow through on their instincts than a baby who is upset. Their tongue will be down and forward which is where it needs to be to help achieve good attachment to the breast. If your baby does not calm by being brought to your breast, you could try to calm your baby using other strategies (eg skin-to-skin contact or rocking).

Get to know your baby's feeding cues . Crying is a late feeding cue so it is important to recognise earlier feeding cues such as:

turning head from side to side
sticking tongue out
wriggling
putting hands to mouth.

If your baby is upset, try the following to calm him:

skin-to-skin contact
stroking your baby's back in one direction
talking to your baby
gentle rocking movements
letting them suck on your clean finger.

Skin-to-skin contact. Some mothers find being completely skin-to-skin with their baby helpful, ie not wearing a bra and baby in just a nappy. A mother's body can help to regulate her baby's temperature by changing her own breast temperature. Skin-to-skin contact also helps to regulate a baby's blood sugar levels and breathing and stabilise their heart rate. However, skin-to-skin is not essential at feeding time if the mother feels more comfortable with both of them lightly dressed, as long as the breast is available to the baby.

Positioning. A mother can hold her baby to her body in the way that feels right for her. Many mothers choose to hold their baby upright on their chest and between their breasts. Many mothers also find that a semi-reclined position works well. It is then easier for a baby to make their own way to their mother's breasts, gently supported by their mother. It can also help to minimise nipple trauma, as it reduces the drag on a mother's nipple that may occur when a mother is sitting upright.

When your baby is ready to feed, they will start to lift and bob their head around. Some babies will bob their way down to a breast, others will gently glide towards a breast while others will quite dramatically throw themselves towards a breast. All these movements have a definite purpose — to find the breast!

As your baby moves closer to your breast and nuzzles towards your nipple, they may bring their hand(s) to their mouth and begin to feel around with their fists and move their head from side to side. Don't worry if they suck their fist. They will soon figure out that is not the breast. Some babies will suck their fist to calm themselves. It's all part of the process. Don't hurry him. Let they do it in their own time.

When your baby finds your breast, they will bring their tongue forward and may lick at the breast. They may press into your breast with their fists and move their feet up and down. Their movements help get the hormone oxytocin released in your brain, and in turn that helps get breastmilk flowing. Don't worry that it takes time in the early days, they will get more efficient with practice.

When your baby finds just the right spot, t hey will dig his chin into your breast, reach up with an open mouth, attach to your breast and begin sucking. Let your baby lead the way as much as possible. However, if sitting up, some mothers find it helpful to pull their baby's bottom closer in to their body, or to provide some firm support to their baby's neck or shoulders while avoiding pushing on their baby's head. In a reclining position, gravity will act on the baby's body, making these actions by the mother unnecessary. A baby needs to have his head free to be able to position his head to latch on effectively.

A baby who has had many chances to seek out his mother's breast using their instincts, especially in the early weeks, usually quickly becomes skillful at breastfeeding, no matter the position their mother chooses. After all, it is only the baby who can open their mouth wide, attach and begin suckling.

Breastfeeding positions

There are various ways to position your baby for breastfeeding. There is no one right way for every mother and baby. The right way is what works for you and your baby. Here are some steps which may help when you take the lead and bring your baby to your breast:

Steps to attach your baby

Sit comfortably with your back and feet supported.
Unwrap your baby and hold them close so that his chest is touching your chest. Do not hold their head.
Turn them onto his side with their chest towards you, head tilted slightly back, at the same level as your breast. Their nose will be level with your nipple.
For some positions such as the cross cradle hold (see photos below), you can support your baby's neck and shoulder blade with your hand. For other positions such as the cradle hold (see photos below) you can support your baby's head in the crook of your arm.
Gently brush your baby's mouth with the underside of your areola. Your baby should open his mouth wide when you do this. When your baby opens their mouth wide and his tongue comes forward over their lower gum, bring him quickly to the breast with your nipple aimed at the roof of their mouth. Their first point of contact will be their lower jaw or chin, on your areola well down from the nipple.
As their mouth closes over the breast they should take in a large mouthful of breast.
If you are engorged , expressing to soften around the areola may allow them to attach more easily.

To check that baby is attached well, look for these signs:

Chin is pressed into the breast and nose is clear or only just touching the breast.
Lower lip flanged (turned out) over the breast. It is normal for the upper lip to rest in a neutral position at the breast.
Tongue is forward over the lower gum (may be difficult to see — don't pull them away to check or you might detach them).
Your baby has much of the areola in their mouth, more so on the 'chin side'.
There is no pain ( although it is common for new mums to feel nipple pain in the early weeks as the baby attaches but this pain stops as the milk starts to flow ).

You may notice your baby's whole jaw moving as they suck and even their ears wiggling.

Photos of various breastfeeding positions

Cradle hold

Cross cradle hold

'Laid-back' breastfeeding

Straddle hold

Underarm (football) hold

Lying down

If it hurts

Take your baby off the breast. Insert a clean little finger in the corner of their mouth to break the suction.
Nipples that are creased, ridged or squashed, blistered, cracked or bleeding mean the baby is not properly attached. They do not have the nipple far enough back in their mouth and it is being squashed against their hard palate.
Wait for the baby to open their mouth wide and then reattach.
Sometimes a small change in the baby's position can help. For example, hugging the lower half of your baby's body in, as this helps to allow your baby's chin to further press into your breast. Ensure that there is no bunched clothing between you or your baby's arm is getting in the way.
Chest to chest and chin to breast is a quick way of describing good positioning. Their whole body should be very close to yours, like you are 'wearing' them.

Who to contact

If you have any concerns about attaching your baby, please contact the Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268) to speak to an ABA counsellor. More detailed information is also available in the ABA booklets Breastfeeding: breast and nipple care and Breastfeeding: an introduction.

Breastfeeding: an introduction booklet

Breastfeeding: an Introduction provides a basic outline of the key aspects of breastfeeding.

ABA website links

My breastfeeding plan (useful plan to read prior to your baby being born)
Positioning and attachment videos (including baby-led and laid-back breastfeeding)

Useful websites

http://www.biologicalnurturing.com

The information on this website does not replace advice from your health care providers.