Breastfeeding - What Is Latching?

by LisaC

At one time no new mother would have even considered the question “what is latching” when referring to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding was the way infants were fed and a girl would be exposed to breastfeeding and babies from the time she was small. There would be mothers and grandmothers to ask breastfeeding questions of and to give advice (both solicited and unsolicited). In today’s society though, the new mother often has little or no prior experience with breastfeeding and resorts to asking friends who breastfed if she is lucky enough to have them or researching the internet.

The Webster’s definition of a latch is a catch for fastening a door. Well in terms of breastfeeding it is a proper closure and interface between your infant’s mouth and your breast. Locked tightly to allow for suction necessary to begin and continue the milk flow.

You see the term latching or “latch-on” in nearly everything written about breastfeeding, however there are few places that really explain what a good latch is, and fewer that explain the term itself simply, most focus on the results of bad latch-on.

Latch is a term that refers to how your baby attaches to your breast while feeding. Your nipple doesn’t just sit in the baby’s mouth like a plastic bottle, but is positioned there and held by the baby’s suction and how it is positioned can determine how successfully your baby feeds and how comfortable it is for you.

The most comfortable latch for you and your baby will be where the nipple rests against the baby’s soft palate, not the hard portion closer to the front of the mouth. Now, instinct and the way we are built helps in this and some babies achieve that perfect latch from the very first attempt. Others though, might need a little help from mom to achieve it.

If breastfeeding is painful for you after the first week you may want to consult your lactation specialist and also check and be sure your baby is latching on properly. In other words, future net will resting against soft springy palate or being rubbed raw upon the closer hard palate?

Is your infant latching a bit off center with more of the lower part of your nipple in the baby’s mouth? If so, that’s good, if not then try repositioning the baby during feeding and having your infant facing you directly and allowing his lower lip touch your breast first. Make sure your baby’s mouth is opened wide, they are hungry and it’s will help them there, it can help in latching to offer the breast when their mouth is open widest and placing the lower part of your breast first against their lower lip.

Is your baby achieving a good suction? Are the baby’s lips pulled out or inward? Outward is a sign of a good latch on position and will give them the best suction. Remember, latching on properly is critical not only for your comfort, but for the baby’s comfort and nutrition.

There is no need to force a nipple into a baby’s mouth but a gentle shove right as the baby latches on can push your nipple back into a more comfortable position against soft palate.You might try this if your baby is latching on and the nipple is not quite deep enough in his mouth.

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