How to get your newborn baby to latch on for a feed

Starting off on the right foot can really make your breastfeeding journey more enjoyable from the get-go. A big part of this is knowing how to get newborn baby to latch on to the breast/chest for a feed.

If a baby latches on well then they will have the best opportunity to withdraw milk and feed effectively. It will also reduce the likelihood of nipple pain in those early days and weeks of breastfeeding. 

Some babies latch onto the breast straight away and that’s great! However, for other babies, it’s a skill that needs to be learned. Even with babies who do latch immediately, their attachment may need to be improved upon to allow for a more optimal feeding experience.

Some babies latch onto the breast straight-away and that’s great! However, for other babies, it’s a skill that needs to be learned.

Getting your baby latched on for a feed

Let’s look at the practicalities of how to get your newborn baby to latch on. Start by holding baby with the opposite arm to the breast you intend to feed on, hold baby close making sure their head and body are in a straight line (not twisted towards you). Bring their head from the centre of your chest towards your nipple (nose to nipple) whilst supporting their neck, shoulders and back and wait for them to open wide, before then allowing them to latch on and begin to suck.

Always bring your baby to the breast and avoid ‘posting’ or bending towards baby to put it in their mouth, as this can cause discomfort for you during a long feeding session. 

For those babies who need coaxing to open up wide, try to tickle their chin, or express a little of your milk onto their lips to encourage them to open up.

Step-by-step guide to latching baby on

• Start by holding baby with the opposite arm to the breast you intend to feed on. Hold baby close making sure their head and body are in a straight line (not twisted towards you).
• Bring their head from the centre of your chest towards your nipple (nose to nipple) whilst supporting their neck, shoulders and back. (Always bring your baby to the breast and avoid bending towards baby to put it in their mouth, as this can cause discomfort for you.) 

• Wait for them to open wide, before then allowing them to latch on and begin to suck. For those babies who need coaxing to open up wide, try to tickle their chin, or express a little of your milk onto their lips to encourage them to open up.
• Once baby is latched you may wish to cradle the baby with the other arm for your own comfort.

One of the best ways to tell if your baby is latched on well is to look and see if your baby’s mouth is open wide and covering a good amount of the areola. Ideally, you should see more of the areola above baby’s mouth than below. You don’t want your baby just sucking on the tip of your nipple as this will get sore and mean they aren’t getting much milk.