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Home › Expert Q&A › Breastfeeding Basics › How can I tell if my baby is latched on well?

Expert Q&A

 

By Melissa Clark Vickers
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn.

How can I tell if my baby is latched on well?

There are a number of good signs:

  • It doesn't hurt! This is so important. If it hurts, then something is not quite right. A minor change in positioning can make all the difference in the world in comfort at the breast.
  • He is breastfeeding, not nipple-feeding. He should have about an inch of the areola in his mouth so that his jaw and tongue action are milking the sinuses, or storage areas, not just clamping down on the nipple. Think of your breast as Grand Central Station. Various train tracks (milk ducts) are coming from all around the breast. They deliver the passengers (milk) to a central waiting area (sinuses) and wait for the front doors (nipple) to open. Clamping down on the nipple is like locking those doors!
  • His lips look like fish lips, both curled outward.
  • His tongue is cupped under your breast. You may be able to gently pull back on the corner of his mouth to see the tongue.
  • His jaw movements are rhythmical. His cheek muscles will be working (but not sinking in), and he may even wiggle his ears! Listen for a soft "kaw-kaw" sound that means he's swallowing.

In time, all this will be second nature to you. Just as learning any new skill requires practice, the more often you put your baby to your breast, the quicker both of you will learn. And remember, if you need help, just ask.

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