How to Latch a Baby Properly for Nursing

When considering nursing your newborn, the most important aspect in your overall success will be having the baby latch correctly. An improper latch can make newborn nursing extremely painful and the baby can have a hard time getting proper nutrition. Start your road to a year of baby nursing by learning to latch your baby to the breast properly.

Get in Position

For proper nursing, mom should be sitting upright supported by a seat cushion or pillows. When possible her feet should be elevated as well. Use a nursing pillow to bring the baby up to your breast – never lean over to put your breast at her level. This is a recipe for aches and pains. Sit back, get comfortable, arrange your pillow around your waist and pick up your baby.

There are two different positions that are best for nursing a newborn baby. The first is a football hold where the baby’s legs go under your right (or left) arm with her tummy facing your rib cage. Her body curves around the side of your body and you hold her much like you would a football.

The second position is to cross your baby over your chest with her tummy on yours. Support her entire body with your arm underneath and your hand helping to hold her head. This is the ideal position for learning to latch your baby on properly as you are holding her with the most control. Be sure her body is facing in completely with her mouth in line with your nipple.

Open Her Mouth Widely

Get her to open her little mouth in a big O. You can do this by tickling the side of her cheek with your pinky while you hold her head. Hold your breast with your other hand. When her mouth opens wide, quickly insert your nipple.

Your baby should hold most of the nipple in her mouth including the tip and the areola. The tip of the nipple should be pointing up to the roof of her mouth so that she can “milk” the breast with her tongue while sucking. When she is latched properly, you will feel discomfort initially as the sensation is rather strong, but you should not feel horrible pain that you would if she were holding your nipple incorrectly in her mouth.

Easy Step By Step

• Hold your baby correctly.
• Bring her to your breast
• Encourage her to open her mouth widely
• Place your nipple in her mouth including much of the areola.
• The point of the nipple should be facing up toward the roof of her mouth.

Warnings, Advice, and Suggestions

Always break the seal your baby creates before removing your breast from her mouth. Do this by slipping a pinky in the corner of her mouth. Keep positioning your breast until she gets the latch correctly – never settle, you’ll regret it.

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