Steps In Latching Your Little One

Key points

• Sit or lie comfortably - supported as needed in early days with pillows. This may be cradle hold, cross cradle hold, 'football' hold, or biological nurturing hold.

• 'Tummy to tummy' with your little one (skin to skin as often as able - you and baby will love this). Baby's head and body are in midline and his / her chest and body are against you.

• 'nipple to nose' - align so your nipple is pointing to baby's nose.

• 'chin to breast' - bring baby's chin to your breast.

• Then nipple up and over baby's tongue.

• As baby opens their mouth, guide your nipple up and over his / her tongue.

I love Rebecca Glover's attachment charts and always use them when guiding mums in attaching and feeding their little one.

If you have any pain or discomfort, put your finger in babies mouth and ease him / her off then reattach more deeply. Usually when baby is well latched, you can see a little more of your areola (the brown area) above their mouth than below - you can see this on the chart if you click onto the above link then click on the chart.

Best wishes for a beautiful experience. Any questions, ask me in the comments.

Gaylene

Photo by Dave Clubb