MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

LATCHING-ON Latching-on (or latch ) describes how your baby’s mouth attaches to your breast to feed. Although it’s an instinctive behavior for babies, it’s also a skill that you and your newborn need to learn together. When your baby latches on, they’ll have all of the nipple and a good amount of

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the surrounding areola in their mouth. A good latch helps your baby take in enough milk and can prevent cracking or soreness around your nipples.

BABY-LED LATCH Leaning back in a comfortable position, holding your baby on your chest, and letting them follow their natural instinct to attach to your breast is called “baby-led latch” or “laid-back feeding.” With good support for your head, shoulders, and arms, laid-back feeding helps you relax and may help your baby achieve a better latch. How to do it • Let your baby snuggle into your chest with one cheek resting close to your breast • Support their neck and shoulders with one hand and their hips with the other hand • Watch for your baby to start squirming and

GUIDELINES FOR A PROPER LATCH

• Line up your baby’s chest with your chest with their nose near your nipple • Support and gently lift the breast, keeping your fingers away from the areola • Lightly stroke your baby’s upper lip with your nipple in a downward motion • Lightly stroke your baby’s lower lip, pausing to let them open their mouth wide • Your baby’s head should be tilted back slightly, their chin coming to the breast first • Aim your nipple toward the roof of your baby’s mouth • Be patient until your baby opens their mouth wide, then let them take the lead • When they open wide, quickly and gently bring your baby toward your breast • Your baby's mouth will cover all of your nipple and part of the areola

bobbing their head toward your nipple • When your baby’s chin hits your breast, they may open their mouth and latch on • Stay calm and relaxed as your little one follows their instinct and begins feeding

Achieving a good latch is a learned response. Be patient with yourself and your baby as you learn how to do it together.

BURPING Burping your baby after each feeding helps remove air bubbles in their tummy that could cause discomfort. To burp your baby, you can hold them over your shoulder, face down across your lap, or sitting in your lap with their chin supported.

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What to know • Pat your baby’s back gently or stroke it in an upward motion • If your baby fusses during a feeding, pause to burp them, then resume • Not all babies burp in the first few days after birth SAFETY TIPS Your body naturally releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin during breastfeeding. This can cause you to feel very relaxed or start to get sleepy. Lack of sleep and/or taking certain medications may also make you feel drowsy during breastfeeding. Because falling asleep could cause your baby to slip from your arms, it’s important to think about how tired you are before you start a feeding session. If there’s any chance you might fall asleep while holding your baby, here are some ways to lower the risk: • Don’t feed your baby on a couch or armchair; they could slip, be trapped, and be unable to breathe • Ask someone to be nearby to help you stay awake and/or pick up the baby if you do fall asleep • If you don’t have someone nearby, set a timer to go off every few minutes to keep you alert

• To remove your baby from your breast, slide a finger into the corner of their mouth to break the suction

SIGNS OF A PROPER LATCH

• Your baby’s lips are turned out (flanged) • Their tongue is over lower gum • Your baby stays on the breast • You don’t feel biting or pinching pain • You see signs of swallowing (long jaw motions)

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care