Tales from the hospital newborn rounds with the medical students.  What is a good latch?  As a follow-up to my breastfeeding blog, I was asked how to make sure the infant has a good latch onto the breast.

This is an issue all by itself.

Signs of good positioning and latch as below

• The infant’s cheeks are rounded, not sunken or dimpled
• The infant’s mouth is wide open before mom places the infant on the breast
• The infant’s nose is free from the breast (so the baby can breathe through its nose)
• The infant’s chin is pressed against the breast.
• If any of mother’s areola is visible, more is seen above the infant’s top lip, with little showing near the chin.
• The infants upper and lower lip are flanged outward, not sucked in.
• The infant and mother are “tummy to tummy.”
• Feeding is not painful to the mother after the initial minute.  I liken breastfeeding to attaching a vacuum-attachment to your breast.  Not enjoyable, but it should not be painful either.
• The infant has a rhythmic suck-and-swallow pattern.  You should be able to hear baby gulping.
• If baby falls asleep at the breast, undress baby and rub its feet.  The milk and mom’s skin is nice and warm so the newborn may need a little discomfort (being undressed and rubbing its feet) to keep it awake.

If you need help, see your physician or lactation consultant.  I hope this helps.