Breastfeeding: What’s a Good Latch? Why Is it Important?

What is a good latch with breastfeeding? And why is it important?

(Scroll down to watch/listen to the video)

Having a good latch means that it feels comfortable for you, there’s no pain, and comfortable for your baby.

There may be discomfort for a few seconds in the beginning if the nipples are brand new to breastfeeding. This is different to ongoing pain.

A good latch also helps the baby to drink easily and effectively.

Sometimes, a good latch is challenging, especially if the baby has had issues at birth, there’s been separation at birth, or medical interventions.

Also, babies feed differently at the breast than they do on a bottle so their sucking is different.

With a bottle, you can force the firm teat into the baby’s mouth even if he’s not interested. A baby doesn’t have to have their mouth very wide open and the teat is a little bit inside the mouth. Even if it’s a long teat.

Milk drips from the hole into the baby’s mouth. When the baby sucks, more milk will flow out. The baby can use her tongue to press against the teat to slow the flow of milk.

But drinking from the breast is very different. Your baby needs to take part more actively. You can’t force your nipple into the baby’s mouth. They’ve got to open their mouth wide and actually take in the nipple and areola, which means the nipple is further back in the mouth. It rests against the soft palate rather than the hard palate with a bottle. The baby isn’t sucking from the nipple. This will cause pain, and cracked nipples.

Your baby holds the rest in place by sucking but using her tongue in rhythmic waves to squeeze the ducts in the breast. The movement of the lower jaw compress the ducts further which releases the milk into her mouth.

You will see the movement in your baby’s bottom jaw.

Our breastmilk actually changes during the feed as well as from one feed to another. A good latch is important throughout the whole feed so your baby is getting a full range of milk, not just the abundant flow at the beginning. It’s a gradual change in the milk, not as we were once told, “foremilk” and “hindmilk“. (Hence the importance of having up to date info)

The composition of the milk depends on how recently the baby nursed and the time of day. Nutrition, rest and how much support the mother is receiving also plays a part.

I found, by 5 pm, my milk was lower and my babies were more restless because I’d been busy all through the day and not rested enough, and not eaten the nourishing proteins and fats.

Also the rate of have the milk flows changes throughout the feeding as the beginning of the feed. After a few seconds or minutes you will feel the letdown happen, which is when the milk is flowing quickly. You might even have a problem with milk leaking everywhere! I used to just think about feed time and my milk would let down. Leaking through my clothes. Yep #embarassingmoment (laughs).

Do you feel this little tingle coming down through the nipple? That’s the let down reflex. Like the tap turned on.

As the feeding continues the flow slows down. So then that gets the baby sucking more. The increased sucking encourages more milk production, and your body will adjust to the baby’s needs. If they are cluster feeding, your body will make more milk to keep up with that demand.

If you substitute some feeds with a bottle, it will mean the body will produce less milk to accommodate.

Feed your baby as often as required – listen to your baby – if you need to build your supply back up. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of filtered, clean water and eating nourishing, fat and protein rich foods.

Mama, if you’re having any troubles, reach out to a breastfeeding support person, or lactation consultant sooner rather than later. See someone who actually has up to date information on breastfeeding.

I was told for pretty much all 5 of my babies, to break the suction with my little finger, and detach the baby, to then start again with latching. However, this is outdated! It can end up being very frustrating for mum and baby and that causes stress which can cause more angst.

Try repositioning your baby first, while they are latched, or check their lower lip and if it’s tucked in gently roll it out. If it’s still painful, then definitely detach and start again, it’s just not advisable to do it too many times.

Don’t wait for the situation to be desperate – you are not a failure, there is nothing to be ashamed of for reaching our for help. Breastfeeding is a learned skill.

Many women have also not even had the experience of being around babies or breastfeeding mothers when they were growing up or when they were older.

In traditional villages many women, sometimes topless, all breastfeed where and when the baby needs to. It’s a natural part of life.

So, if it’s not something you were around, it didn’t become part of your unconscious programme so be gentle with yourself. It’s a learned skill. And anyone can learn it.

It takes some patience, and practice. It takes the right guidance. It may also take some clearing of any fears or past traumas that may be (subconsciously) preventing you from relaxing around having the baby suckle at your breast.

Your baby can also checked by a certified lactation consultant for tongue tie. So there are definitely things that we can help you with.

So, don’t wait for weeks of pain, and an unsettled baby. Only one third of women reach their breastfeeding desires and goals which is heartbreaking. It’s why I want to help more mums have a successful and joyful breastfeeding experience.

Reach out. Even if you’re given one simple tip, it could make all the difference, because pain is common, but not normal.

If you need to chat about anything, book your free call here.

Many blessings