My top 5 tips for latching a newborn
I’m Dr. Lauren Hughes. I’m a pediatrician and mom of three breastfed kids.
These are my top 5 tips to get your breastfeeding journey off to a great start with your newborn!
I want to add a statement that I am using the terms mom and breastfeeding for simplicity only. If you do not identify as female or prefer the terms chestfeeding or human milk feeding, please know that I see you and respect you.
Tip 1: Tummy to tummy
In the beginning, infants need to be facing your breast directly. If they’re on their back and having to reach over their shoulder, there isn’t enough room for a deep latch. Turning their whole body so their belly is facing yours allows your baby to latch deeply and you to be more comfortable.
Tip 2: Wedge your breast like a sandwich for baby
Wedging your breast in the correct direction helps your baby to latch deeply in the beginning while their mouth is still small and their jaw is still pushed back from being on the inside! No matter the position they’re in, adjust your wedge so you can get your nipple as far back into baby’s mouth as possible while minimizing the size of “bite” they have to take
Tip 3: The flipple technique
When your baby is first born, their suck reflex needs to be triggered in order for them to start sucking and eating. By utilizing the flipple technique, where you push more on the top of your sandwich in order to aim your nipple toward the roof of your baby’s mouth (can also think of it like aiming toward the crown of their head), you are triggering that reflex. This way they can start sucking and move your nipple back to their soft palate where the latch is comfortable and effective
Tip 4: Nose to nipple
Getting a deep latch is important for a pain-free breastfeeding experience. By starting the latch with your nipple near baby’s nose, instead of their mouth, they will smell the milk and start opening their mouth wide. When they open their mouth, you put the bottom of the sandwich on their lower lip, and roll the top of their mouth over your nipple so it hits the roof of their mouth. This combination should help you achieve the deepest latch possible.
Tip 5: Unlatch if it hurts
In the beginning, there might be discomfort in the first 5-10 seconds of the latch, but it should never be toe-curling pain. If it is, fish-hook your baby’s mouth to break the seal and unlatch them. Your baby needs to learn how to latch correctly, and just a few nursing sessions of a painful latch can lead to cracks, which take days to heal and increase your risk of mastitis. Always make sure you hear the seal break so they don’t take your nipple with them when you pull them off!