One of the most asked breastfeeding question that I get is how to correct a painful latch. Every week I get messages on social media from frantic mamas looking for any tips that will quickly turn a painful latch to a comfortable latch. Breastfeeding pain can be unbearable, is discouraging and can even make moms feel like their baby is rejecting them. Having a traumatic labor and delivery or a birth journey that didn’t go as planned can certainly impact the success of breastfeeding. However a painful latch can be a result of something as simple as a baby not being held with proper alignment at the breast or as complex as a neurological disorder. Now before you start googling “reasons my baby won’t latch” I want you to finish reading this article. And if you still have questions or are wondering where to start with getting breastfeeding on track then reach out so that we can chat!

I know that you are experiencing information overload right now. There is so much to learn and so little time to grasp what is really happening between the time you have your baby and the day you are sent home to care for them. There is no basic training, no shortcuts, and in our society hardly any hand holding. Oftentimes nurses, lactation consultants, pediatricians, and other staff members at hospitals are rushing from room to room trying to take care of all of their patients but aren’t able to slow down and spend ample time supporting mothers and babies who are struggling to latch. Some hospitals are “baby-friendly” meaning that each staff member has extra training to support breastfeeding and this can be an advantage for parents. However, the weight of breastfeeding support can’t rest on the crowded shoulders of hospital staff alone. Oftentimes moms think that waiting to learn about breastfeeding in the hospital is the best method for success because the guidance will be fresh in their minds. But skipping a prenatal breastfeeding class is one of the most detrimental things that can be done. Having knowledge builds understanding. It is really hard to learn about something as complex as breastfeeding when you are running off of no sleep, a sore whoohaa, and constant interruptions for vital sign checks, blood draws, and fundal massages.

So think of this blog post as your kick in the pants to take a prenatal breastfeeding class and if you have already had your baby and you are looking for remedy cracked bleeding nipples and trying to find joy in breastfeeding. Read on….AND schedule a consultation with me!

Okay this post is getting longer than I would like to let’s jump in to the tips. Follow these steps for latching your baby and experience the difference right away between a shallow painful latch and a deep comfortable latch! Your nipples, your sanity, and your baby will thank you for putting in the work to make it happen!

Latching Steps

1. Get comfy, have your throne of pillows set up so that you feel supported, if you have hemorrhoids then you may want a pillow for your bottom

2. If you are using a pillow like a boppy or my friend pillow then you will want to either stack another pillow on top or shove a pillow underneath to bring your nursing pillow up to breast height

3. Hold your baby tummy to tummy so that they are laying on their side facing you, double check to make sure that their hips are turned in as well. You want their ear-shoulder-and hips to all be aligned.

4. Support your breast using a sandwich hold and WAIT for your baby to open with a wide gape— like a yawn and then attach them to the breast

5. Look for their bottom lip to be turned down and their top lip to be straight across

6. Watch for rhythmic sucks that feel like strong tugs. Use gentle massage and compressions to keep baby sucking regularly.

7. Newborn feedings take time, it’s normal for a baby to alternate between having vigorous song sucking spurts and falling asleep at the breast.

Now I could go over all of the reasons your baby has a shallow latch but let’s save that for another time! Still have questions? send me an email over at lactation@preparedbeginnings.com ! I promise I am just as nice via email as I sound in this blog post (hehe) and did you know that I accept most insurance plans through The Lactation Network? Yep! You can get 6 lactation consultants for $0 out of pocket! So what are you waiting for, schedule your in home visit or telehealth visit today!