Breastfeeding Latch and Positioning

Day of Birth

Place your baby on your chest right after birth, skin-to-skin with you (a diaper and hat help keep warm and clean). Baby may crawl to your breast and attach with very little assistance! After the first few hours, some infants become very sleepy. Take this time to rest.

After the first few hours, many infants become very sleepy. Your baby should be placed skin to skin for feedings as often as possible. Frequently newborns may nurse in “bursts.” For instance, your baby may be drowsy for some time then want to feed every 30 minutes for a couple of hours then sleep again. Your baby may need to be stimulated to awaken for a feeding, this can be normal. Mom can express a few drops of milk that can be touched to her baby’s lips to stimulate interest in feeding. Changing the diaper and gently rubbing feet and back will also help arouse baby for a feeding.

Fatigue and sleep are also important for mom. The early days of breastfeeding can be exhausting. When mom feels sleepy she should be encouraged to place her baby in a safe sleep environment: on baby’s back, alone in an isolette or crib, no pillows or blankets and with secure well-fitting clothing.

Day One

Baby will be more alert and want to nurse often. This time of frequent feeding gives you lots of practice with nursing. Frequent feeding also stimulates your body to produce hormones, which trigger milk production.

Day Two

Baby may want to be at the breast very frequently, sometimes feeding every 30 to 60 minutes. Feed as often as your baby wants.

Days Three Through Seven

You may notice your breasts getting fuller and the milk changing to be more fluid in nature. Let your baby end the feeding by falling asleep or detaching himself. Let baby finish the first breast first, then offer the second breast.

1. Hold your baby close, next to your skin, tummy to tummy.
2. Press his chin into your breast with your nipple just opposite his nose.
3. Tickle the baby’s upper lip with your nipple to make his mouth open wide, like a yawn.
4. Hold your hand behind the baby’s neck and shoulders. This will allow the baby to tip his head back so he can open his mouth wider. Do not push on his head, this makes baby pull his head away from you.
5. Use your other hand to support the breast and compress it slightly in the same direction as his lips. This will help him to get more of a mouthful.
6. When your baby’s mouth is wide open, bring him to your breast quickly to help baby get more breast into his mouth. Baby should latch on to the areola (dark ring of skin around the nipple), not just the nipple. This will enable baby to get more milk.
7. If you feel discomfort with nursing, baby may not have enough breast tissue in his mouth. Insert your finger between his jaws and the breast tissue to break suction, and then relatch.

Cross-Cradle

Hold baby tummy to tummy. Hold your forearm along baby’s back, with your hand supporting baby’s neck and shoulders. Your other hand supports the breast like a U.

Football

Baby’s body is under your arm and your hand supports his neck and shoulders. Baby’s head is under the breast, looking up at you. Your other hand supports the breast like a C.

Side-Lying

You can rest while your baby feeds! Lay on your side, baby tummy to tummy with you. Use your free arm to support your breast in a C hold. When baby’s mouth opens wide, press baby onto breast with your lower hand between baby’s shoulder blades. Another way is to hold your body up on one elbow. Place baby on her back, under your breast. Use your upper hand to support the breast in C hold. Tickle the baby’s lip to get a wide gape then lower your breast into baby’s mouth. Once baby is latched and sucking, pull out your lower arm and lay down. Turn baby in toward you. Be careful not to fall asleep!