To know if your baby is latched on
properly, look, listen and feel.
Look for alignment, position
at the breast Listen for swallowing Feel uterine cramps, drowsy,
tugging/pulling on nipple (not
biting/pinching)
Look
Watch for
cues baby is ready to nurse, then put him to your
breast. Feed your baby before he cries.
Hold baby
close with his nose level with your nipple
Support
your breast by holding your hand in a “C” (football)
or “U” (cross cradle) shape. Your fingers and thumb
should be back from the areola.
Lightly
touch (tickle) or stroke baby’s bottom lip/chin with
your breast. Watch for his mouth to open wide and
his tongue to be down and scoop-shaped. Be patient,
it may take a few minutes.
Support
your baby at your breast as described in the
positioning guidelines. Avoid pushing his head into
your breast; that will cause him to push away from
your breast.
Look for
baby’s mouth to cover part of your areola; his lower
lip should curve outward and his tongue should cup
under the breast.
Look for
smooth, rhythmic sucking with active, long jaw
movements and pauses to swallow.
Look for
your breast to move with baby's sucking action.
Listen
After the
first few days, when your milk flow increases, you
will hear your baby making swallowing or gulping
sounds.
Smacking,
clicking or slurping sounds may indicate an
ineffective latch-on.
Feel
You will
feel your nipple and breast being tugged into baby’s
mouth.
Your
nipple may be tender, especially during the first 30
seconds of a nursing session.
After a
minute or two, you may feel mild uterine cramps.
After five
minutes you may feel:
Sleepy
Thirsty
Hot
flashes
Cramps
After nursing
for three to five days, you may feel letdown in your
breasts. A tingling, pins-and-needles sensation may
occur.
To remove your
baby from your breast:
Break the
suction by sliding your little finger down your
breast to the corner of baby’s mouth.
