5 Steps to Correctly Latch Your Baby
By: Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC
Latching your baby deep onto your nipple is one of the best ways to ensure you have a comfortable latch, so that your baby can remove milk from the breast effectively. Read on for 5 tips to help you get your baby latched more deeply.
1.Put Your Baby Belly to Belly
In order to get a good latch, start by putting your baby tummy to tummy with you and their head close to your breast. This will ensure your baby’s head is aligned straight with your nipple and not turned to one side or the other while they are trying to nurse. This keeps your baby more comfortable and helps them to get a deeper latch. If you notice your baby’s head is turned, try to align them so their head, hips, and shoulders are in a straight line.
2. Align Your Baby Nose to Nipple
The next thing you will want to do to get a good deep latch is to have your baby’s nose lined up with your nipple right before they latch on. This ensures you are bringing your baby up to your breast, rather than bending over and bringing your breast to your baby. Bringing your baby to the breast will allow them to get a deeper latch and will be more comfortable for you.
3. Tap Your Nipple to Baby’s Lips
You want to ensure your baby opens their mouth wide before you bring them onto your nipple. If they are not opening their mouth, try touching your nipple to their upper lip once. Try a second time if the first tap doesn’t get them to open. If they still don’t open their mouth, try gently brushing your nipple along their lips. Once their mouth is open wide, bring them deep onto your nipple. You want most of your areola to go into their mouth along with the nipple. Avoid having just your nipple in your baby’s mouth as this can cause damage and pain.
4. Shove with Love
Another step to getting a good deep latch is to “shove with love.” When your baby opens their mouth wide, bring them onto your nipple quickly. It should be a gentle shove to bring them in right when their mouth opens. Once your baby opens their mouth, you want to bring them deep onto your nipple. Having a deep latch will make it easier for your baby to transfer milk and should make breastfeeding more comfortable for you as well. When you are bringing them in, be sure not to press against the back of their head as this can cause them to push away. Instead, hold your baby on their shoulders at the base of their neck.
5. Ensure Your Baby’s Chin Touches Before Nose
When your baby has a deep latch, their chin should touch your breast before their nose does. Their nose will touch or be just above the breast. Even if their nose is squished up against your breast, they can still breathe. If your baby cannot breathe, they will pull away from the breast. Be sure not to hold the back of their head, so that they are able to pull away if they need.
A deep latch should be comfortable and should feel like deep pulls. If you tried the above tips and you are still experiencing discomfort, be sure to reach out to a lactation consultant near you soon!
Last medically reviewed on November 28, 2023
Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC is the lactation consultant Milestones Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition in Cary, NC. Natalie specializes in empowering lactating parents during their breastfeeding journey, while helping to minimize any breastfeeding difficulties. Schedule an appointment today.
