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“Make sure your baby has a straight line from the nose to the breast and you start the baby’s lower lip below the areola.
Many women do not wait to open their mouths because they feel rushed and do not fully understand what they can achieve with a deep latch. “
-Leilani Songer, IBCLC Breastfeeding Treatments
Latch Trick #7: Sandwich Your Breast
“Squeeze the breast like it’s a PERFECT sandwich that you want to mold to the size of your baby’s mouth for a comfortable fit.”
Match the shape of the sandwich to the opening of your child’s mouth. This makes you pay more attention to how you are pushing your breast because sometimes mothers tend to push the breast in a way that prevents the baby from latching.”
-Ileana Berrios, IBCLC and Breastfeeding Latinas
Latch trick #8: Use Baby Naturals
“Enjoy and use the baby’s natural instinct to close – give the baby space to open by removing your hand from the back of the head.
Pull your tip under their mouth to attract their natural expression.
Remember I’m breastfeeding, not breastfeeding! They need a lot of muscle to get a good latch!
-Mary Unhappy, IBCLC at Best Breastfeeding Songs
Latch Trick #9: Experiment to Find What Works Best for You
“If the mother is comfortable and the baby is getting milk then it’s a winner! Don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works for you.”
—Chelsea DeSorbo, IBCLC and Bliss Lactation
Latch trick #10: Use the Cross-Cradle Hold With Baby
“Holding on the breast gives you more power to help the baby to sleep. This position helps the baby to be able to open his mouth. You can also use one hand to support and move the baby while using the other to hold and support your breast. Once the baby is well latched feel free to switch hands to hold the baby.”
Annalisa Burch RN, IBCLC, CEIM, at Prenatal Considerations
Latch trick #11: Make sure the child has an uneven latch
Did you know there is such a thing as an “asymmetric” latch? And what is the BEST way to connect a child deeply?!
Ensuring that the baby is fed evenly can increase milk supply and reduce the pain associated with it!
A latch similar to when a baby is at the breast and a point in the middle of the mouth like a bullseye. This is NOT the goal.
On the contrary…
The latch is similar to when the baby is at the breast with many lower jaws covering the areola and the upper jaws coming over the areola. You should see the areola still above the upper lip.
So look at that chin!