Achieving the Deep Latch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hello, MilkMates! You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: “Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt.” While that’s true, achieving a pain-free experience starts with one critical skill: the deep latch. A shallow latch (where the baby only takes the nipple tip) is the main culprit behind sore nipples and poor milk supply.

This guide breaks down the simple, intentional steps you can take right now to ensure your baby gets a mouthful of breast tissue, not just the nipple, leading to better milk transfer and comfort for you!

1. 🧘 Mama Prep: Find Your Foundation

The latch starts with you! Before you bring your baby close, make sure you are fully supported and relaxed.

• Pillows are Your Friends: Gather supportive pillows for your back and under your elbows. You should not have to lean forward or strain to bring the baby to your breast.
• Baby’s Alignment: Ensure your baby is tummy-to-tummy with you, and their head, neck, and back are in a straight line. If your baby has to turn their head to latch, it will be shallow.
• Support the Breast: Use the C-Hold (thumb on top, fingers below) or U-Hold to gently support the breast, but keep your fingers away from the areola where the baby needs to latch!

2. 🥪 The “Sandwich” and the Nipple Aim

The key to getting a deep bite is making the areola fit inside your baby’s mouth.

1. Gently “Sandwich” the Breast: Compress the breast right behind the areola, shaping the tissue so it is oval, not round. This gives your baby a focused target and encourages a wide, deep grasp.
2. Aim High: Nose to Nipple: Bring the baby close so their nose is lined up with your nipple. This forces your baby to slightly extend their neck and tilt their head back, which makes their mouth open wide.

MilkMates Tip: Resist the urge to push the baby’s head! Allow them to use their reflexes to push their head back a bit. If you push, they might pull away.

3. ⏱️ The Critical Moment: Wait for the Yawn

This is the most critical step. Don’t rush the latch!

• Tickle the Lip: Gently brush your nipple across the baby’s top lip. This is the cue for them to open their mouth.
• Wait for the Yawn: You want your baby’s mouth to be wide open—like a big yawn! Their tongue should be down.
• Quick Movement: As soon as their mouth is wide open, quickly and smoothly bring the baby onto your breast. Do not lean the breast toward the baby; bring the baby’s body to the breast. Aim your nipple toward the roof of their mouth for the deepest latch.

4. ✅ Confirming the Deep Latch

Check for these signs immediately to ensure a comfortable and effective feed:

• Mouth Position: The baby’s mouth should be opened very wide, with their chin touching or indenting your breast tissue.
• Lips: The lips should be flanged outward (like a fish), not tucked in. If you see them tucked, gently pull the bottom lip out with a clean finger.
• Areola Coverage: You should see more areola visible above the baby’s top lip than below their bottom lip. This confirms they’ve taken in a deeper portion of the bottom tissue.
• Comfort: The initial pinch of the latch should subside almost immediately. If it hurts for longer than 60 seconds, gently break the latch and try again.

When it Still Doesn’t Feel Right…

Remember, practice makes progress, not perfection. If you are consistently experiencing pain or hear clicking sounds, don’t be discouraged! This is often fixable.

Please continue to Part 3: Latch Rescue! where we will cover simple troubleshooting fixes and when it’s time to reach out to a certified Lactation Consultant (LC) for personalized help.