Breastfeeding: Nursing Your Baby

Tips to Help You Latch Your Baby to Breast/Chest

• Find a comfortable position. Use pillows behind your back and under your arms and shoulders for additional support.
• Securely snuggle your baby in your arm with baby facing toward your body “tummy to tummy”.
• Bring the baby up to the level of your breast/chest by putting a pillow under the baby.
• Have one hand support the baby’s neck below the ears. The other hand supports the breast/chest, well behind the areola (dark area around the nipple).
• Have the baby’s chin pressed into your breast/chest with your nipple just opposite the baby’s nose.
• Tickle the baby’s upper lip with your nipple and wait for the mouth to open wide.
• Bring the baby to your breast/chest quickly.
• Your baby should latch onto the areola, not just the nipple. This is called a “deep latch” and will help the baby get more milk and reduce the chance of sore nipples.
• If you feel discomfort during nursing, your baby may not have a deep latch. Insert your finger between the baby’s gums to break suction. Then re-latch your baby.

Tips to Help Latch if Your Baby is Sleepy

• Unwrap your baby and talk to him/her.
• Place baby skin- to-skin between your breasts/on your chest. Watch for feeding cues and attempt to latch at those times.
• Unwrap your baby and talk to him/her.
• Change the diaper or try burping.
• Dim the lights.
• Wash your baby’s face or bottom with a cool washcloth.
• Massage/tickle your baby.
• If your baby is crying, calm and soothe the baby before trying to latch.

If you have any questions or problems latching your baby, call or talk with a lactation consultant, healthcare provider or La Leche League. Most problems can be quickly fixed with a little help and practice.

Works Cited

Lawrence, Ruth A. & Lawrence, Robert M. “Breastfeeding, A Guide for the Medical Professional,” Ninth edition, ELSEVIER, 2022.

Wambach, Karen and Spencer, Becky “Breastfeeding and Human Lactation,” Sixth edition, Jones & Bartlett, 2021.