Assessing a Latch During Breastfeeding: What I’m Looking for as Your Lactation Counselor

As a lactation counselor, my top priority is to provide unwavering support and recognition for the effort you put into learning how to nourish your baby at the chest. Many parents seek my help when they encounter challenges during feeding, such as pain, milk supply worries, or concerns about baby's weight gain. From my experience, addressing these issues often comes down to one vital aspect: the latch.

While it's tempting for me to jump in and address every aspect of feeding, I understand that it may feel overwhelming for you to recreate everything I demonstrate during our session. So, here's the full list of latch considerations I assess and troubleshoot. During our sessions, I'll focus on 3 or 4 points at a time, tailored to your specific needs.

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Before Feeding:

1. Skin-to-Skin Contact: Embrace your baby with skin-to-skin contact for a strong connection and feeding cues.

2. Baby's State and Demeanor: A calm and ready baby is ideal for successful latching.

3. Feeding Cues: Responding to your baby's cues, such as lip smacking or rooting, sets the foundation for a successful latch.

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During Latching On:

4. Body Positioning: Experiment with different positions to find what works best for your baby.

5. Shoulder and Hip Alignment: Aligning your baby's shoulders and hips ensures comfort during feeding.

6. Baby’s Hands: Allow their hands to be free, as touch stimulates milk production.

7. Nose Opposite Nipple: Positioning your baby's nose opposite the nipple encourages a deep latch.

8. Gape Response: Watch for your baby's wide gape response, indicating they are taking in enough breast tissue.

9. Head Tilts Back: Ensure their head has room to tilt backward for a comfortable latch.

10. Bottom Lip and Tongue Reach Breast First: Encourage leading with the bottom lip and tongue for a secure seal.

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During Feeding:

11. Facial Proximity: Observe your baby's facial proximity for a clear airway and a snug latch.

12. Angle of Mouth Opening: A wide angle of mouth opening promotes efficient milk transfer.

13. Lips at the Seal: Ideally, lips are flanged outward.

14. Rhythm: Pay attention to the suck-to-swallow ratio for efficient milk flow and swallowing patterns.

15. Asymmetric Latch: Encouraging more areola on the lower part of the breast promotes optimal milk flow.

16. Jaw Motion: A smooth, rhythmic, rocking jaw motion indicates effective milk transfer.

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After Feeding:

17. Baby Releases: Gentle detachment from the breast signifies a comfortable feeding experience.

18. Baby is Relaxed: A relaxed and content baby with a relaxed brow and unclenched hands indicates successful nourishment.

19. Nipple Shape: Assess the nipple shape after feeding to ensure no signs of compression or damage.

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As lactation experts, we are here to support you throughout your feeding journey with love and care. Each baby and parent dyad is unique, and by understanding and optimizing the latch, we create a nurturing environment for both you and your baby's well-being.

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