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Too often parents are told that their baby “has a great latch” just because the baby’s mouth is on the breast.
But if a baby is on just the nipple this can cause pain/sores and limit milk intake. Or you may actually see a baby latched widely/deeply but not “pulling”the milk out. Either way, they are not actually getting enough milk - leading to low diaper output, slow weight gain or weight loss for baby, lower supply, plugged ducts and many other issues.
Here are just a few red flags for a poor latch
Compressed/painful nipples (during and/or after the feed)
Only “nibbling” at the breast (short, rapid movements of the mouth with infrequent swallowing)
Baby falls asleep at the breast but always seems hungry
You may think that your supply is low
but it might be the other way around
A less effective latch causes low supply and then becomes a “vicious cycle” - a low supply causing a less effective latch. If a baby’s latch is not effective (or if your pump doesn’t fit you well), this “removes” less milk from the breast and tells your body to make less milk - causing slow weight gain/weight loss, lower supply, plugged ducts/mastitis, and more.
Of course some people have low supply for other reasons - growth of breast tissue in adolescence, hormonal issues, retained placenta and so many other possibilities - work with your IBCLC to determine if ineffective latch/pumping caused low supply, or if there are other issues to address.
For an effective latch, you want to see/hear:
The baby’s mouth going well past the nipple and onto the areola, putting the tongue on the underside of the breast (not under the nipple) - so it can undulate and literally milk the breast!
Baby’s chin anchored on the breast and their nose away - like the angle you would hold your head up if you are about to drink from a glass of water (chin pointed up rather than pointed down toward your chest). Keep your hands on the baby’s back/shoulders, rather than on their head - this give them the freedom to angle their chin up!
Baby coming to breast asymmetrically putting the nipple deep in the back of the baby’s mouth by the soft palate (rather than squished between the hard palate and the tongue - ouch!).
The asymmetric latch is often called the “flipple” because your nipple flips into the baby’s mouth last.
This exaggerated asymmetric latch video is very helpful (skip to about 1 min 45 seconds to see a nice slow-motion “flipple”/asymmetric latch!)
And this “flipple” demo uses a sock puppet and a knitted breast to show the asymmetric latch.
Baby’s mouth wide open, and lips flared outward, and cheeks round (not dimpled/sucked in)
Quiet swallowing - gulping sounds are often air, not milk.
Strong/active jaw movements and swallowing for most of the feed (see also Nursing Effectively and Getting Enough Milk).
Breastfeeding positions help with deep latch
There are many positions - I’ve devoted a whole page to them!. Which position(s) work for you depends on how you and your baby fit together. The most important things are that baby is fully facing you, you are getting a deep/asymmetric latch, and both of you are supported and comfortable!
And a few more resources for latch
Breast compressions help push the nipple deeper in the baby’s mouth and also help baby’s get more milk (which also helps supply!). For a newborn, breast compressions can be so helpful for them while they are fully incorporating nursing skills - over time you shouldn’t have to use them anymore.
Supporting/sandwiching your breast while feeding - helps baby hold the breast more deeply. You want to hold your breast not too close/not too far from the nipple to make a nice “sandwich”.
Fantastic article called “How to Get A Good Deep Latch” including a variety of visuals, videos and more.
Video with helpful analogies to help imagine/visualize how to get a deeper latch (not with a baby, more of a discussion).
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