Latching Approaching the breast Wide open mouth How much of the areola does a baby need to latch onto? Don't worry if it doesn't work the first time See also: Pictures and videos A Latching-on Checklist (www.lalecheleague.org.nz) Back to the How to breastfeed page Approaching the breast Bring the baby gently towards the nipple and touch the baby’s top lip with the nipple then move the baby slightly away again gently. Repeat these movements quietly and gently until the baby opens wide or run the nipple very gently along the baby’s top lip (not the bottom lip or baby may latch suddenly on to the nipple and squash it). Back to top Wide open mouth A baby has to have a wide open mouth and their tongue forward to latch correctly. It is not possible for the baby to latch unless these things happen. Don’t rush the baby and don’t try and pull the baby on or try and push the nipple in the baby’s mouth without this very wide mouth happening If the baby is not bringing her/his tongue forward when the mouth is wide enough for a latch try hand expressing a little milk into the baby’s mouth to encourage the tongue to come forward. When the baby opens wide and brings the tongue forward they may latch by themselves if close enough to the breast but the mother may have to quickly bring the baby to the breast when the baby is ready – this has to be quick or the baby may close her/his mouth again. Don’t worry if the wide mouth is missed a few times – mother and baby are both working it out together and it takes practice. Back to top How much of the areola does a baby need to latch onto? The baby’s nose should be level with the nipple. It may sound odd to hear advice to point the nipple upwards rather than straight into the baby’s mouth. Because more of that darker area or areola under your baby’s bottom lip needs to be grasped by the baby, the nipple needs directing upwards towards the top of the baby’s mouth or in the direction of her/his nose A baby needs more of the areola (darker area around the nipple) underneath their bottom lip than the area above their top lip. A mother will see areola above the baby’s top lip when she looks down after the latch and during a feed and that is normal. Someone may say (or books may state) that a baby has to take as much of the areola into their mouth as possible to latch properly. This is a misleading piece of advice. Back to top Don't worry if it doesn't work the first time Go back to the beginning with the latching and try again if it doesn’t work the first time. Ask for help and advice if struggling and unsure how to put these guidelines into practice. View also this useful checklist of latching points - A Latching-on Checklist (www.lalecheleague.org.nz) Back to top Back to the How to breastfeed page Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page. Page last updated: 31 July 2009

Where to get help Midwives Healthline - 0800 611 116 Well Child La Leche League More information on these and other breastfeeding help providers...