How To Get Newborn To Latch Properly

What Is A Proper Breastfeeding Latch

It’s a myth that babies are born knowing how to latch on and breastfeed correctly. The proper latch often takes time, trial and error, and yes,sore nipples.

The ideal latch encompasses both the nipple and the surrounding areola, the pinkish-brown flat circle that became darker during pregnancy. Ever wonder why areolas darken during pregnancy? Mother Nature wisely designed them to serve as visual cues for your newborn so she’ll close her mouth on the areola and not on the nipple alone.

Though breast milk comes out of the numerous tiny openings in the nipple, your baby’s gums need to compress the areola and the milk sinuses located underneath it to actually start the flow. If not, your milk won’t let down and new milk won’t be produced.

Problems With Latching On Or Sucking

It’s common in the first days of life for a baby to have trouble latching on or maintaining sucking at the breast. If this problem doesn’t go away, more help is needed. A baby must be able to remove enough milk from the breast through correct latch and sucking to gain weight. This milk removal then tells the breasts to increase or maintain milk production. If the baby doesn’t get enough milk, he or she will have poor weight gain. Poor milk removal from the breast can also affect milk supply.

Many things can affect a baby’s ability to suck and remove milk. Factors such as prematurity, jaundice, infection, heart disease, a mother’s medicines and many others can affect a baby’s ability to stay alert or coordinate the suck-swallow-breathe actions. Other mechanical issues that may play a role include tongue-tie or a cleft lip or cleft palate. These might directly interfere with a baby’s ability to use the structures in the mouth for effective sucking.

Sometimes the cause is obvious. Often it’s not. But it’s important to recognize the signs that a baby can’t effectively remove milk during breastfeeding. Then the baby’s healthcare provider can ensure there are no health or mechanical issues affecting feeding. And steps can be taken to fix the problem.

Below are some signs of ineffective sucking.

The baby who normally:

The mother who:

How To Treat Flat Or Inverted Nipples That Become Sore

Its normal to experience some soreness in the early weeks of breastfeeding, especially if you have flat or inverted nipples. Your baby may be putting extra pressure on the area as he tries to draw the nipples out, which could possibly damage the skin.

Sometimes the soreness will ease up on its own in a week or two as your baby gets the hang of nursing. But if thats not the case, meet with a lactation consultant. She can help you adjust your positioning so your baby gets a better latch, which should make nursing much more comfortable.

Take care, too, to keep sore nipples clean and dry in between feedings if you have cracked or broken skin, trapped moisture could up the risk for infection. Soaking your nipples in saline solution three to five times a day can help reduce soreness and infection risk, too.

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What Are Signs Of A Good Latch

Signs of a good latch include the following:

• The latch feels comfortable to you and does not hurt or pinch.
• Your baby’s chest rests against your body. Your baby does not have to turn his or her head while drinking.
• You see little or no areola , depending on the size of your areola and the size of your baby’s mouth.
• When your baby is positioned well, his or her mouth will be filled with breast.
• The baby’s tongue is cupped under the breast, so you might not see the baby’s tongue.
• You hear or see your baby swallow. Some babies swallow so quietly that a pause in their breathing may be the only sign of swallowing.
• You see the baby’s ears “wiggle” slightly.
• Your baby’s lips turn outward like fish lips, not inward. You may not even be able to see the baby’s bottom lip.
• Your baby’s chin touches your breast.

Position Your Baby Properly

You want to position your baby so that she is comfortable. She should not have to turn her head to latch on.

If she has to turn her head it is going to be uncomfortable to swallow and the result will be her pulling on your nipple so that she can comfortably swallow.

You want her to have her chin pressed into your breast. This helps as she sucks to massage the breast. That helps your milk flow.

You want her body in close to yours.

• Her tummy should be facing and touching your body.
• Her nose should be across from your nipple.

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A Good Latch Is The Key To Successful Breastfeeding

Make sure your baby is properly latched. Watch a video showing you how.

Getting your latch right is the key to successful breastfeeding.

Ask to be shown how to feed.

Make sure your baby is properly attached . If they are latched you will have a good supply of milk and your baby will get a good feed, and your breast and nipples will be comfortable.

There are lots of different positions for breastfeeding. Helpful tips include:

• having your babys head and body in a straight line so they can swallow easily
• holding your baby close to you, and supporting their neck, shoulders and back
• making sure your baby can tilt their head back easily, and doesnt need to reach out to feed

Watch the video several times!

What Are Different Management Strategies To Overcome Oral Dysfunctionalities

Healthcare professionals should teach breastfeeding mothers the proper technique for oral stimulation or guide them on why there is difficulty in latching in these infants suffering from oral dysfunctionalities.

• Finger Feeding Technique: It involves suckling training through a coupled tube that may be needed for babies born with neurologic disorders.

• Individualized Attention: Similarly, most superficial oral anatomic abnormalities or infants suffering from incorrect feeding patterns require the attention of the neonatologist or the pediatrician, the lactation specialist, and the oral physician for oral stimulation.

• Oral Exercises: Oral exercises to be stimulated in the infant if needed with a sequential order or maneuvers, varied orofacial practices, etc., may be used, but with professional care and by qualified practitioners.

• Active Participation of Parents: The participation of both parents or guardians may be needed to facilitate a correct environment for the newborn baby to adjust to breastfeeding as recommended by the oral physician and the lactation specialist.

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A Simple Intervention Is To Let Your Baby Use All Of Their Natural Reflexes To Do It Themselves From Start To Finish

We may think its helpful when the nurse at the hospital grabs your baby and your breast and then pushes the breast into the open mouth. In reality, its the PROCESS that your baby needs, especially early on.

I suggest observing your baby. Watch them do their baby thing. Let your newborn decide when to latch rather than feeling like youve got to find that right moment to put your breast in their mouth, or pull them closer to you.

Always go for the earliest feeding cues: lip smacking, tongue motions, hands up at their mouth, head turning to side as though looking for something , sucking. Try not to wait for later cues such as crying. Babies lose their ability to organize if they progress to crying. Its okwe cant always get to them so quickly! Just soothe them and then try for nursing.

You dont always need to lie back to feed, but this position allows for the best unfolding of babys reflexive behaviors. It can be a helpful position to encourage a baby to open wide, almost like a resetting of this movement into nursing. When we listen to babies, we find we can become more flexible. You can explore different positions such as cradle, football or sidelying. Your comfort and babys behavior will tell you how its working!

Suzanne Colson researched and introduced this approach of Laid-Back breastfeeding:

Another great video showing the approach into getting back onto mom:

It is recommended that you see a Lactation Consultant if:

What Are The Conditions That Cause Oral Dysfunctionalities

Oral dysfunctionalities in newborn infants may occur due to various pathologies or conditions it can impact the normal suckling response through which the infant derives its food and nutrition from the mother’s milk. These disorders may also hinder the newborn’s approach to latch on correctly to the mother’s breast or result in forceful infant feeding that can create distress. Several such clinical events or pathologies have been recognized that can traumatize the newborn’s natural ability to suckle the mother’s nipple. Some of them are enlisted below:

• Premature birth and low birth weight.

• Ankyloglossia or tongue tie.

• Neurologic disorders of the newborn.

• Oral anatomic dysfunctions or changes .

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Best Nursing Positions For Helping Baby Latch

How and where you breastfeed matters, for your comfort and your baby’s nourishment. Studies suggest new moms who try at least two breastfeeding positions are more likely to breastfeed for more than six months.

Getting comfortable varying the way you nurse will make it easier for you to adapt your style to your baby’s feedings habits. Switching up positions may also reduce breast pain or discomfort. Experiment with these different options for an improved latch:

Figure Out In Advance The Most Comfortable Position You Can Remain In For An Extended Period

Most women prefer a reclining position. When you lean back, you dont have to support the baby as much because baby rests on your body. Your babys instincts will kick in and baby can latch on with less effort because its easier to lift and turn the head and use the hands.

Finding a comfortable position is important because breastfeeding positions that arent comfortable can contribute to back pain in new moms. When preparing to breastfeed, remember to have a full water bottle near you so you can stay hydrated. Ask your partner to hold your baby while you get into position. Prop pillows to provide extra support.

How do you find your comfortable position? By experimentation:

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Offer Opportunities To Breastfeed Early And Often

Babies tend to have a rather short attention span when theyre very young.

While they will remember some significant moments, breastfeeding is nothing more than a passing memory.

This way, you can give it a bit of a pause and try again later, making sure hes always nearby.

If you can make it seem more spontaneous than forced, then thats all the better and will make this process a lot shorter than it normally would be.

Repeat until your little one finally decides he wants to latch onto the breast, and have fun from there on out.

Just make sure to not force him to latch.

As Ive already said, if babies wont latch at a given time, they simply wont, and any further attempts to do so are just going to end up having the opposite effect of the one you want.

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Plunketline For A Whnau Whina Plunket Lactation Consultant

If you are worried about how your baby is breastfeeding, ask for a breatfeeding assessment. Your midwife or lead maternity carer will know who to refer you to in your area. You can also talk to a PlunketLine nurse on 0800 933 922. Calls are free and PlunketLine is available 24/7. They’ll do an assessment and can book you an online appointment with one of Whnau whina Plunket’s lactation consultants. These breastfeeding consultations are free and available for all breastfeeding women – even if Whnau whina Plunket isn’t your WellChild provider.

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Why Does Newborn Cry So Much At Night

Most babies cry at night because they are hungry. What Helps: Crying is actually a late indicator of hunger, after things like smacking lips or sucking on fist. Check the clock, and if its been two or three hours since the last feeding, your baby is probably waking up to tell you she needs to be fed.

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Begin Breastfeeding As Quickly As Possible After The Birth

This makes it more likely that your babys innate abilities for latching will kick in and stimulates your milk supply to develop quickly. Babys bare skin next to your bare skin also stimulates those reflexes. You may be surprised with how quickly your baby starts rooting and looking for that nipple. Keep these tips in mind:

• Holding your baby skin-to-skin on your chest as much as possible, even when not breastfeeding, will help you become more familiar with your babys feeding cues.
• Uncover your baby and your chest as much as possible during breastfeeding. Babies that are dressed too warm are more likely to doze during feedings. If you feel chilled or are concerned your baby might get chilled, put a light blanket loosely over both of you.

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Find The Right Position

Correct positioning plays a big role on how to get a proper latch while breastfeeding.

Help your little one place his or her mouth correctly on your breast and areola.

Breastfeeding positions vary, such as the side-lying position.

Here is how you can properly latch a newborn for breastfeeding for those mothers who want to rest or are still in pain after their surgery.

To lie in this breastfeeding position, you should lie on your side while facing your baby with a pillow behind your head and the other at the back.

Your baby should be positioned with your nipple in line with their nose.

Here are some tips on how to get baby to latch properly when breastfeeding.

Pull your baby close to you as you lean back on the pillow so that the nipple will be close to your little ones mouth.

Once your babys mouth opens wide should you guide them to your breast and hold them firmly until they have adequately suckled.

Make sure that your babys tongue is between the lower jaw and breast to ensure that they latched on correctly .

Encourage Your Baby To Nurse

Watch for your babys signs or cues that its feeding time and put the baby to your breast when baby cues. Dont wait for the baby to cry. Crying is one of the last feeding cues. Generally, the baby latches and breastfeeds better if feeding takes place before the baby begins crying and is frustrated. Trying to get your baby to wait longer between feedings by offering a pacifier instead of the breast is not advisable. Let your baby determine feeding times. Because skin-to-skin contact encourages reflexes, place baby on your body so babys cheek and chin touches your breasts.

• Babies should wake and cue to breastfeed about eight to 12 times in 24 hours. Cues include rooting, licking or sucking motions, bobbing the head or bringing a hand to the face or mouth.
• If your baby is a sleepy baby who does not cue to feed at least eight times in 24 hours, wake the baby to feed more frequently. Strive for every two hours during the day and at least every three to four hours during the night.
• If your baby falls asleep within minutes of latching on, massage your breast as baby nurses. Stroke downward and inward on the breast, which will provide a flush of milk that will likely reinvigorate babys sucking.

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How To Get A Proper Breastfeeding Latch

Helping baby establish a secure breastfeeding latch is a critical first step when you first start nursing, but it doesnt always come easily to newborns. Sometimes they need a little guidance from Momand sometimes Mom needs a little guidance to understand what a good breastfeeding latch actually looks like, and how to get it.

The breastfeeding latch is the moment when baby takes your nipple and areola into their mouth and latches on. How your child latches on is key to making sure they get enough milk without hurting your nipples in the process. In fact, when new moms experience pain while nursing, its often because baby doesnt have a proper breastfeeding latch.

So how do you get baby to latch correctly? To get a clear idea of what to shoot for, its always helpful to watch a breastfeeding session in action , or get hands-on assistance from a certified lactation consultant. That said, there are some helpful breastfeeding latch tips to keep in mind:

Get comfy. Youll be more relaxed and better able to help baby get a good breastfeeding latch if you find a breastfeeding position that feels good.

Line baby up. Babys ear, shoulder and hip should be aligned, and their head shouldnt be tilted up or to the side once theyre latched on.

Go nose to nipple. Aim your nipple at babys nose . This can help motivate them to open wide and lines your newborn up for getting your nipple in the right spot for effective feeding.

Plus, more from The Bump:

How Will You Know If Your Little One Has Successfully Latched On To Your Breast During Feeding Here Are A Few Signs Of Successful Latching

• You can see the tongue when you pull the bottom lip downwards during feeding.
• Your baby is swallowing your milk.
• Your babys jaw does a circling movement instead of their chin moving fast during lactation.
• Any discomfort that you feel on your nipple or breast disappears once your baby has latched on.
• Your nipple is not misshapen or even flattened after your baby comes off your breast .

Dont wait to explore the benefits of breastfeeding until after your infant is born.

Get familiar with how to get a proper latch while breastfeeding before you give birth.

Once your baby is born, its a good idea to ask for help if you are not sure how to get a proper latch breastfeeding.

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