Latching: the gentle basics
A calm step-by-step audio guide to a comfortable latch.
Audio coming soon
The full lesson is written out below, so you can read it now and watch or listen later.
Read the transcript
Hold your baby's whole body against yours, ear, shoulder and hip in a line, nose level with your nipple. Wait for a wide open mouth, then bring your baby to your breast rather than leaning your breast to your baby.
A good latch takes in much more of the areola below the nipple than above it. Your baby's chin touches your breast, their lower lip is turned out, and their cheeks stay full and round rather than dimpled.
Feeding should tug, not burn. If it hurts, slide a clean finger into the corner of your baby's mouth to release the seal and start again. Every attempt is practice, not failure.
Key points to remember
- 1Bring the baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby.
- 2A deep latch takes in more areola below the nipple.
- 3Pain means unlatch and try again, not push through.
When to get help
Ask for help if your nipples crack or bleed, your baby is not gaining weight, or your breast becomes red, hot and painful with a fever.
Ask privately