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| Home > Breast Feeding > Correct Latching
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| | Correct Latching
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It is very important to get your baby to latch on correctly to your breast. If the baby is not latched on correctly, you will get sore nipples and the baby won`t get as much milk.
To get a good latch:
Hold your baby in one of the 4 positions described above. Use the other hand to support your breast, place your fingers underneath your breast and your thumb on top (C-hold) or rotate your hand into a U-hold with your fingers and thumb on either side of the breast.
Turn the baby`s head toward your breast and then let him open his mouth. This is called the rooting reflex. To do this, bring the baby close to your breast. Then stroke the baby`s cheek closest to you with your finger. You can also tickle the baby`s lower lip with your nipple. When you do this, your baby will naturally turn his head and open his mouth.
When he opens his mouth, place as much of the areola (brown area around the nipple) into the baby`s mouth as possible. Make sure the baby has a good hold on the nipple as well as the areola. Do not allow the baby to suck on just the nipple. You should support your breast into a good nursing position so that the nipple and areola don`t get pulled out of your baby`s mouth by the sheer weight of the breast.
Ensure that there is some gap between the baby`s nose and your breasts and that his nose is not pressed into the breast so that he can`t breathe. If your breast happens to block the baby`s nose, press a finger against your breast near his nose to allow him to breathe. Also be sure that your baby`s whole body is facing the breast.
In case the baby does not latch on well, break the suction by removing the baby from your breast by pressing a finger gently on the corner of his mouth. Then try again.
Tips on Breast-feeding Positions
As a general rule, anything that works is OK as long as the baby has both the nipple and areola in his mouth and he can breathe.
Change the nursing position sometimes to make sure all of the milk ducts are drained of milk.
Always find a relaxed and comfortable position.
Special Situations
Nursing After Having a Cesarean Section
The lying-down position may be more comfortable for breast-feeding after you have had a cesarean section. The hospital nurses will help you change from side to side.
If you nurse sitting down, put a pillow on your lap to protect the incision.
The football hold can also be used, since it keeps the baby from pressing on your incision.
 Nursing Premature Infants
Support the baby`s head with the crook of your arm while placing your hand under his bottom. Use your other hand to guide your nipple into his mouth.
If the baby`s nursing reflex is weak, pull down on the baby`s chin and direct the nipple into the back of his mouth.
Nursing Twins
Use the football hold with pillows under each arm to support the babies. Using pillows helps free up your hands.
You can use the cradle or cross-cradle hold and have the babies legs overlap.
You can combine holds (for example, use the cradle hold for one baby and the football hold for the other).
Alternate between feeding each baby separately and nursing the babies at the same time.
Don`t let one baby feed from just one breast. Make sure each baby feeds from each breast. This will help keep a good milk supply in both breasts.
If you can tell that one of your babies is hungrier than the other, nurse the hungriest baby on the fullest breast.
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