7 Tips for Getting Baby Latched On to the Breast

from American Baby

You're new to this and so is your baby, so getting a nursing session off and running may take practice. Try this:

1. Hold her the right way. Nurses or a lactation consultant in the hospital can help you, or you can practice in a breastfeeding class before or after the birth. (While many books have breastfeeding illustrations, nothing beats having someone physically put you in the right position.) There are several possible holds, from the traditional cradle hold (belly to belly) or the football hold (baby beside you, her head at your breast). Whichever you use, baby shouldn't have to turn her head or strain to reach you.

2. Lift your breast with your free hand. Especially in the first weeks, your breast will be so heavy that you'll have to support it with your fingers. Holding it also helps you guide baby to it.

3. Hold your baby's back and neck with your other hand. Supporting those, rather than her head, will allow you to lift her easily.

4. Get her to open wide. You need baby to take half or more of the areola (the dark part around your nipple) into her mouth. Try tickling her cheek or lower lip with your nipple, then waiting for her to open as wide as a yawn.

5. Pull her to you quickly. Once baby's mouth is open, you need to get her on the breast fast, before she begins to close down. But don't bend down to her -- she'll get a better hold if you lift her to you. The hardest part: Getting used to moving her with confidence. You don't need to use force, of course, but you'll help her if you put her on gently but firmly. Her chin should press into your breast.

6. Check her mouth's position. Her lips should splay out, and you shouldn't be able to see much if any of your areola.

7. Relax and breathe. This is more for you than the baby. In the beginning, you may find yourself sitting stiffly, hunching your shoulders, and leaning over too far, which strains your lower back. Practice breathing slowly, relaxing your shoulders, and sitting back into the chair as much as you can.

Studies show that newborns are capable of a good latch-on in the hour immediately following birth. Experts recommend putting your baby to the breast as soon as you can after delivery -- it may make subsequent latch-ons easier.

Your baby should have:

His chin pressed into your breast
His nose nearly touching your breast
His lips splayed out wide
All of your nipple in his mouth -- you should only be able to see half or less of the areola (the dark area around your nipple)

You should feel:

A gentle sucking. Latch-on may hurt for the first few seconds and could make you sore for as long as a minute, but if you feel pain longer than that, disengage baby's mouth (using your index finger) and try again.
Comfortable enough to stay in the position for anywhere between 10 to 40 minutes. Lean back into the chair, try to relax your shoulders, and breathe.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; La Leche League

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

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