After giving birth, there are a lot of tasks to learn.
For breastfeeding moms, one of the most critical tasks is learning the technique for proper latch breastfeeding.
Proper latching is crucial for both baby and mom.
There is nothing more frustrating for a mom when their baby is hungry and has a bad latch. Mother’s milk is rich with all the nutrients that their newborn needs. It’s worth the effort to learn the technique.
First-time moms often struggle when it comes to getting a good breastfeeding latch. It’s not anyone’s fault.
Learning how to breastfeed properly includes a learning curve for both mom and baby.
The more you and your baby practice breastfeeding, the less chance of breast pain, sore nipples, and a hungry baby.
Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Get A Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Breastfeed Video
What Does It Mean When A Baby Is Properly Latched During Breastfeeding?
When your infant has proper latch breastfeeding, your baby is ensured to receive the proper nutrients while mom avoids the pain of engorged breasts.
Proper latch breastfeeding helps alleviate breast heaviness and boost milk production through your milk ducts. Furthermore, a proper latch will spare you from dealing a sore nipple and areola.
Part of this learning curve means positioning your baby so that feeding will be easy for both you and your baby. What does proper latch breastfeeding mean then?
Successful breastfeeding is accomplished when your baby latched to your breast properly so that neither your breast, nipple, or areola becomes tender, dry, or cracked.
The best way to ensure that you can get a proper breastfeeding latch is by talking to a lactation consultant after giving birth. One valuable resource is the La Leche League.
This non-profit organization that advocates nursing by helping mom learn tips and tricks to make it easy for their baby to nurse [1].
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 baby’s 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 [2].
Don’t 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, it’s a good idea to ask for help if you are not sure how to get a proper latch breastfeeding.
Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Get A Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Breastfeed Video
What Happens If a Baby Does Not Properly Latch?
You’re probably wondering what happens when proper latch breastfeeding is not achieved when you offer your breast to your baby. There are many side effects associated with breastfeeding difficulties. Here are some of them:
Engorgement
One of the problems that may arise when you’re learning how to get baby to latch properly when breastfeeding is engorgement.
Engorgement occurs when mom’s breast has swollen to the degree that latching is difficult for your baby.
It can be due to a couple of issues: lactation is not happening frequently and causing old breast milk to form, or there are fluids present in your breast tissue.
One way to alleviate this problem is to give your breast to your baby regularly so that the milk supply will be reduced.
A warm compress can also help lessen the pain as well [3].
Baby doesn’t latch
Some mothers find their baby having difficulty latching on mom’s breast.
Several factors can cause this difficulty in breastfed babies. Sometimes, the medication that you received during childbirth can cause a poor latch.
Improper positioning can cause a latch problem as can forcing your baby to your breast.
Sometimes, the baby has a health issue that makes latching difficult. Some babies are hesitant to breastfeed if is a change to your scent.
If your baby has breastfeeding issues and you cannot determine the cause, consult your doctor.
Don’t forget to try more skin-to-skin contact with your baby as this can encourage your child to seek your breast.
Pinching sensation
Some discomfort on your breast, nipple, or areola during the first few days is normal.
But if this goes on for a while, it means that you haven’t achieved a good latch just yet.
To correct this problem, you need to make sure that your baby takes your breast mouth wide with lips turned out. Your baby’s tongue should be nestled between the lower gum as well as your breast.
If the bottom lip of your baby is inward, use your index finger to pull it out so your baby will be able to latch on to your nipple and breast better.
If you notice that your baby doesn’t latch on very well on your breast, break their hold on your nipple and wait.
You will see your baby’s mouth opening wide in search for your nipple or breast which you should then offer.
This may take a while for your baby to learn, but be patient [4].
Cracked nipples
Pain due to cracked nipples is another complication that may arise when you haven’t achieved proper latch breastfeeding.
This happens when your baby is not getting enough of your breast as he suckles.
Thus, the nipple gets all the pressure.
This is one reason why your nipple becomes cracked.
The best way to solve nipple pain is to learn how to properly latch a newborn for breastfeeding on the breast that is the least sore.
Once your milk starts to flow freely, the pain tends to lessen on the nipple.
Just make sure that you don’t reduce your breastfeeding when you have a sore nipple because you can develop engorgement.
Nipple cream is also available for cracked nipples.
With organic natural nipple cream you can rest assured that the nipple balm is safe for both baby and mom.
MADE OF Nipple Balm is created from plant-based ingredients such as shea butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil.
It not only helps with skin irritations but has antibacterial properties as well [5].
Clogged milk duct
Another problem that may arise as you learn how to get proper latch while breastfeeding is a clogged milk duct.
This appears as a lump on your breast that feels tender. If you don’t expel your milk regularly, a clogged milk duct might cause inflammation and infection.
You should apply some warm moist compress to your nipple and areola to lessen the pain before you feed your baby.
Make sure that the mouth of your baby is latched properly every time you feed.
Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Get A Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Breastfeed Video
How To Get A Proper Latch Breastfeeding
Proper latch breastfeeding is crucial for your baby to receive the nutrients they need especially during the first few months of their lives.
Unfortunately, first-time mothers often have difficulty with adjusting their baby’s mouth and tongue as they suckle.
The result is breast and areola pain. Here are a few suggestions on how you can achieve proper latch breastfeeding.
Fortunately, there are ways to correct this and one of them is to take advantage of how to properly latch a baby for breastfeeding video.
Techniques For How To Get A Proper Latch While Breastfeeding:
Learn the C-hold
One of the tricks that you will learn when it comes to proper latch breastfeeding is the C-hold (cradle hold).
The term C-hold refers to the shape that your hands make. Here are step-by-step instructions. For a proper breastfeeding latch, you will need to place four fingers under the breast while presenting your nipple to your baby.
The fingers should be positioned behind your areola so your baby will be able to latch correctly.
As you support your breast, stroke the lower lip of your baby with the nipple or touch his chin to your breast to make their mouth open.
Wait until their mouth has opened wide, meaning that their upper lip and lower lip are far apart before you guide their head to your breast gently.
This helps them form a deep latch.
Don’t force your breast on your baby because they can become agitated and will refuse your breast afterward [6].
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 one’s mouth.
Once your baby’s mouth opens wide should you guide them to your breast and hold them firmly until they have adequately suckled.
Make sure that your baby’s tongue is between the lower jaw and breast to ensure that they latched on correctly [7].
Be comfortable
It’s crucial for mom to be comfortable when learning how to get baby to latch properly when breastfeeding.
When you are comfortable, your baby will feel comfortable too and will be more than willing to have their head guided to your nipple to feed.
As soon as your baby’s mouth opens, guide their head to the point that your nipple is touching the roof of their upper palate.
Be gentle as you don’t want to choke your baby.
This is something that you will come across when trying to learn how to properly latch a newborn for breastfeeding.
Give your baby breathing room
Another tip that you will learn on how to get a proper latch while breastfeeding is to give your little one space to breathe.
If your baby’s breathing is blocked because of your breast, instead of removing their mouth and tongue from your nipple, adjust their head or their bottom so they will be in a more comfortable position.
If your nipples are a bit sore, wearing a nipple shield may help alleviate the pain that you are feeling during feeding time [8].
Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Get A Proper Latch Breastfeeding
How To Breastfeed Video
How To Properly Latch A Baby For Breastfeeding Video
Sometimes learning a new skill is easier with a visual guide. Breastfeeding is no different.
Watching how to properly latch a baby for breastfeeding video shows you the tips and tricks that will help you and your newborn strengthen your bond.
There are many techniques for how to get a proper latch breastfeeding.
This includes adjusting their head as they latch onto your breast to finding a good position so that you are comfortable.
The good news is that there are plenty of articles, hands-on help, and how to properly latch a baby for breastfeeding video to show you how to help your baby get a good latch.
Everything You Need To Know About Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples – Breastfeeding Tools And Techniques
- Breastfeeding Positions Newborn – Everything Mothers Need To Know
- What Are Natural Remedies For Sore Nipples From Breastfeeding?
- Keto Diet Breastfeeding – What The Experts Are Most Concerned About
- How Often Should You Feed Your Newborn Baby?
- What To Expect When You Start Breastfeeding Your Newborn
- 7 Superfoods For Breastfeeding Moms
Proper Latch Breastfeeding, How To Get A Proper Latch Breastfeeding Resources:
[1] Oxford Living Dictionaries; La Leche League.
[2] American Pregnancy Association; Breastfeeding Latch, May 5, 2018.
[3] Today’s Parent; Breastfeeding problems and how to fix them, Teresa Pitman, May 01, 2018.
[4] Parenting; Breastfeeding Problems and Solutions, Martha Sears, R.N, William Sears, M.D.
[5] MADE OF; Soothing Organic Nipple Cream.
[6] Healthy Children; Ensuring Proper Latch On, November 11, 2009.
[7] Ameda; Latching And Breastfeeding Positions.
[8] The Bump; How to Teach Baby to Latch, Erin Van Vuuren.
