Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999

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How to help your baby latch on for breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a learnt skill, and attachment or latching on key to it being effective and comfortable.   Your baby needs latch on effectively to feed well without causing you pain or discomfort.

What does this look like?

  • Baby’s chin is touching the breast
  • Baby’s mouth is wide open so they can breast feed rather than nipple feed
  • Baby’s lower lip is curled out (don’t worry what the top lip is doing!)
  • More of the areola (the darker skin area around your nipple) is showing above the baby’s top lip which indicates the nipple is at the top of the latch
  • Baby’s cheeks are full and rounded, not pulled in or hollow

Your partner can help with this as they can sometimes see better than you can. Whatever it looks like, it should feel comfortable.

You may feel a pulling deep in the breast and, while this may feel strange at first, you’ll soon get used to the sensation. If it’s painful throughout the feed, seek support from your midwife, health visitor or peer supporters.

Examples of good latch

Examples of poor latch

Here is a helpful video about attaching your baby at the breast:

This video was not produced by Health for Under 5’s and may contain adverts.

Useful links

National breastfeeding helpline

ParentLine logo

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust runs a confidential secure text messaging service for parents of children aged 0-5 years called ParentLine. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm in Brighton & Hove and Monday to Friday between 9am to 4.30pm in West Sussex, excluding bank holidays. All texts will be responded to by a health visitor within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you’ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the line reopens.

Should you require urgent health advice in the meantime, please contact your GP, visit an NHS walk-in centre or call NHS 111. For emergencies, dial 999 or visit A&E.

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Page last reviewed: 10-10-2024

Next review due: 10-10-2027