Breastfeeding can be one of the most rewarding and challenging parts of early motherhood. Getting a good latch is a big part of making feeds more comfortable for both you and your baby.
As a postpartum doula, breastfeeding is one of the main topics new parents ask me about, and I often guide them through this exact process. A deeper latch can help reduce nipple pain, support milk transfer, and make feeding feel less stressful.
Before you begin, get yourself comfortable. Sit in a supportive position, use pillows behind your back or under your arms if needed, and bring baby to the right height with a nursing pillow if that helps. Once you’re settled, these six breastfeeding latch tips can help.
Key Takeaways
- A good breastfeeding latch can help reduce nipple pain and make feeding more comfortable.
- Bring baby to you instead of leaning your body toward baby.
- Nose-to-nipple positioning can help baby open wide for a deeper latch.
- Baby’s lips should be flanged outward, often called “fish lips.”
- If breastfeeding hurts or baby struggles to latch, an IBCLC can offer hands-on support.
Related: How to Increase Milk Supply: 22 Ways to Boost Breast Milk Production
How To Get a Good Latch When Breastfeeding
Getting a proper latch takes a bit of practice, but once you and your baby find your rhythm, feedings become more comfortable and enjoyable. Follow these six tips to help your baby latch deeply and make breastfeeding easier for both of you.
1. Tummy to Tummy
When your baby is ready to eat, position the baby’s tummy against your tummy. There are many different breastfeeding positions in which you can feed your baby. The primary ones are the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying hold.
In these positions, you want to ensure that one hand or arm supports the baby’s neck and the other hand supports your breast. Holding your breast can help get more of your breast and the bottom of your areola into your baby’s mouth. We refer to these holds as the C-hold or the U-hold.
Related: Breastfeeding Positions To Try for a Better Latch
2. Nose to Nipple
Many parents I have worked with have their baby’s head higher than the nipple should be. I understand why they think this is right since they try to get their baby’s mouth level with the mother’s nipple. (See below.)
However, we want mom’s nipple to be level with the baby’s nose. This will help your baby lift their head and chin and open their mouth wider for a better latch. This positioning helps your baby take a deeper latch, which is often more comfortable for both of you.
Related: Breastfeeding Essentials Every New Mom Should Have
3. Chin to Breast
If your baby’s chin is down to their chest, it will be more difficult for them to open wide and get the best latch. We want to ensure that baby’s chin is up to mom’s breast.
Once you have their chin to your breast and your nipple is to their nose, start tickling their nose and upper lip with your nipple to help stimulate baby’s mouth to open. Once baby’s mouth has opened wide and their tongue is down, you are ready for rule number four!
Related: What Is Tongue-Tie and How to Treat It
4. Bring Baby to You
When baby has his mouth open wide, be sure to bring baby to you and not lean over to bring your breast to baby. I can’t tell you how many mothers I’ve seen lean forward as soon as baby opens their mouth.
Remember, posture is important! Poor posture can affect your let-down and the amount of milk you can give your baby. The more comfortable and relaxed you are during breastfeeding, the better.
Related: 5 Lactation Smoothie Recipes to Support Milk Supply
5. Aim Your Nipple Toward the Roof of Baby’s Mouth
I know that sounds like a silly rule. What I mean is that you want to have your nipple at the roof of your baby’s mouth and have more of the bottom of your areola in their mouth. When your nipple is at the roof of their mouth, it hits their soft palate. When you have the nipple dead center in their mouth, having the areola all around it in their mouth, your nipple will not be at their soft palate, which can cause you to feel pain and potentially cause cracked nipples.
If you can tell that your nipple isn’t in the right place, you want to break the latch suction before removing the baby. Otherwise, baby is going to pull your nipple with them. Ouch! The way to break suction is to put your finger in the crease of baby’s lips and your breast and press on your breast to break the suction. Then you can move baby and start all over again!
6. Check for Fish Lips
Another thing you want to check is that baby’s lips are flanged out. If they aren’t, you can use your thumb to gently push down baby’s chin to widen their latch and push out their bottom lip.
Every time I have done this while a baby was latched, mothers have told me that it helped and made the latch more comfortable.
When To Get Help With Breastfeeding Latch
Breastfeeding should not be painful. Some tenderness can happen in the beginning, but sharp pain, cracked nipples, bleeding, poor milk transfer, or a baby who cannot stay latched are signs to get support. An IBCLC can watch a feeding, check baby’s latch and positioning, and help you make breastfeeding more comfortable. Getting help early can often prevent small latch issues from turning into bigger feeding challenges.
Related: 7 Breastfeeding Discomforts and How To Manage Them
Breastfeeding takes practice and patience, and a good latch can make a big difference for both comfort and milk transfer. If something feels off, pause, break the suction gently, and try again.
You and your baby are learning together. With the right positioning, support, and a little practice, breastfeeding can start to feel more natural. And if it still hurts, reach out to an IBCLC for hands-on help.
