This article will discuss the importance of breastfeeding and how a good latch is essential to get your baby well-fed.
If you are a breastfeeding mother, I’m sure you are familiar with sore and cracked nipples. You might have tried all sorts of products like creams, rings and even the tubing used for chest drains. None of these products has given you the relief you were hoping for. So what can you do? Go back to the basics and check if your child has a good latch on your breasts.
What Is Breastfeeding Latch
A breastfeeding latch refers to how the baby’s mouth should be positioned on the breast during breastfeeding. The baby’s mouth must be aligned properly, allowing for maximum milk transfer and preventing nipple pain.
The baby should be positioned at a 45-degree angle over the breast with their nose pointed towards their mother’s belly, not her chest. The baby’s lips should be flanged out and their lower jaw should be tucked in so that it’s resting against their top lip. Their tongue should be close to their lower gum line, but not covering their bottom gum entirely.
It may take practice for a new mother to get her baby into this position, but it will make breastfeeding easier in the long run!
Image Source: iStock
Breastfeeding Latch Trick
When breastfeeding, it’s important to get the baby latched on correctly—not only because it helps them get the milk they need but also because it reduces the chance of nipple soreness.
The trick is to ensure you’re using the right-hand position for latching. Here’s how:
- With your baby in front of you on your lap, bring their head to your breast with one hand and cup their jawbone with your other hand. This will help them open up their mouth wide enough so that you can guide their tongue into position over your nipple.
- Then tilt their head back just a little bit, so they’re looking straight up at you instead of down at their food source. That will help them open up even further for more efficient feeding!
- After positioning them properly, bring them closer to the breast and lower your nipple into their mouth as they open wider—you should see some movement toward swallowing right away!
Breastfeeding Shallow Latch
When your baby latches and sucks, does he or she have a shallow latch?
The problem with a shallow latch is that it does not allow the milk to flow freely from the breast into your baby’s mouth. This can lead to difficulty breastfeeding, which can be frustrating for you and your baby. Fortunately, there are ways that you can help your baby get a deeper latch so they can drink milk more easily.
What is a shallow latch?
A shallow latch occurs when your baby’s tongue isn’t covering the entire area of your nipple or areola (the darker area around the nipple). Instead, it only covers part of this area and leaves some part of it exposed. When this happens, milk may leak out instead of flowing into your baby’s mouth.
Why does this happen?
There are several reasons why a shallow latch might occur:
Your baby is sucking on just one side of his or her mouth instead of both sides at once. If this happens, they will only cover half of your nipple or areola with their tongue during each suckle—which means that milk won’t go anywhere near their mouth.
How to Correct a Shallow Latch When Breastfeeding
Correcting a shallow latch is an important part of breastfeeding. If you’re having trouble learning how to correct a shallow latch, here’s what you need to know:
- Don’t worry about the nipple position. Your baby should be able to latch onto your breast without any nipple pain or discomfort. If you feel any discomfort or pain, ensure that your baby has a wide-open mouth and that he/she is not sucking on the tip of your nipple.
- Ensure that your baby’s lower lip covers most of the areola (the darker area around your nipple). If not, he/she may be biting down too hard or sucking in the air as he/she sucks on the breast instead of milk.
- Make sure that there’s no space between your baby’s bottom lip and chin when he/she latches onto the breast—this will help prevent nipple pain while preventing air from entering the milk ducts during feeding time!
Types of Latch on Breastfeeding
A breastfeeding baby
There are many types of latch on breastfeeding. For example, the correct latch involves the baby putting his or her tongue under the nipple and then sucking in a way that draws milk from the breast. However, there are other ways to do it as well.
Some babies use a “suction” method where they suck and swallow at the same time, which is not recommended by most experts because it can cause digestive problems for your child.
Other types include “lazy latching” or “lazy breastfeeding,” where babies get milk but don’t put their tongues on the nipple; “open mouth” nursing, where babies open their mouths wide and take in a lot of air; “nipple confusion,” where mothers switch between bottle-feeding and breastfeeding too quickly; and lastly, “cross-cradle” nursing where mothers nurse with their babies facing away from them instead of toward them.
How to Get a Good Latch
Getting a good latch is important for both you and your baby! It can help you avoid nipple soreness, improve your milk supply and let your baby get all the nutrients she needs. Follow these tips to help get a good latch:
- Make sure your breasts are warm before feeding time. You can use a heating pad or apply warm washcloths to your breasts, but don’t overheat them—you don’t want to burn your baby’s mouth!
- Hold your baby upright with his chin slightly elevated so that he can see where your nipple will go when he latches on. This will help him find the breast more easily when it comes time to start feeding.
- When you’re ready to feed, put him in an upright position against your chest with his chin pointing up toward the ceiling and his nose pointed toward your shoulder so that he can see where his mouth is going as it opens wide enough for sucking action (don’t worry about how this looks—your baby won’t be judging).
- Make sure there’s no gap between his gums and lips or between his lips and teeth—they should be touching firmly so that he doesn’t get air bubbles in.
Why Is a Good Latch Important in Breastfeeding
A good latch is important in breastfeeding because it helps to keep your milk supply up. If your baby isn’t latching well, they may not get enough milk. Your body will start to produce less milk, causing your to pump more often. The milk supply will be affected, and your baby may become fussy as she is not getting enough milk from your breasts.
Also, a good latch will help your baby stay calm while feeding. It’s because she’ll be able to get all the milk she needs from you. And that’s rather than from a bottle or pacifier.
If you are struggling to get a good latch from your baby or are encountering any problems breastfeeding your bub, do not hesitate to talk to your paediatrician or consult a lactation counsellor in your area.
Updates by Pheona Ilagan
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