Latching on the Baby to the Breast |
How to Hold and Latch on the Baby
In order that the baby is best able to suck sufficiently with the minimum of effort, it is important that it is latched on to the breast
in the correct manner.
"C" position
Since feeding can require anything from a few minutes to more than half an hour, it is advisable that the mother sits in a quiet
place, which allows her to relax, and finds the most comfortable position for her and her baby.
To breast-feed correctly, the
mother must not lean her chest over the child, but the baby must be brought to the breast.
The baby must be kept:
- In a horizontal position;
- Facing towards the body of the mother, stomach against tummy;
- With the nose in front of the nipple and the knees at the height of the breast;
Correct latching on - Supported by one or both of the arms of the mother.
Once a comfortable position has been found, the mother needs to bring the baby close to her breast without forcing it, waiting for the
baby to open its mouth and stick out its tongue, as if it was yawning. At this point, when the mother offers her breast, the baby latches
on and begins sucking. It could be helpful to support the breast not with the fingers in the scissors position, (they risk putting pressure
on the milk ducts), but with the hand held like a “C”, with the fingers and palm under the breast and the thumb placed above.
The Newborn Baby Is Latched on Correctly When:
Incorrect latching on - Its mouth is open wide and it takes a part of the areola, as well as the nipple;
- The part of the areola is more visible above the top lip than under the bottom lip (the milk ducts are squeezed by the movement
of the tongue);
- The chin and nose of the newly born child touch the breast;
- The sucking is initially quicker and then becomes slower and deeper, because the milk initially flows more quickly and is more liquid;
- The newborn baby swallows and it does not make any sounds with its tongue, which is a sign that correct sucking does not occur. The cheeks are full and not hollow.
 If the newly born baby is correctly latched on to the breast, the mother may feel only a slight discomfort for the first few days. If pain starts, it is necessary to interrupt the feeding, closing the nose of the baby delicately with the fingers and trying to breast-feed again after a short interval. |
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