Teaching Your Baby to Latch

A good latch is one of the most important parts of breastfeeding. We’ll walk you through how to help your baby latch.

How to Position Your Baby

1. Hold your baby so their nose is across from your nipple.
2. Your baby's stomach and chest should touch your body.
3. Support your baby's neck with your hand.
4. Don't push on the back of their head. Most babies push away when you do this.

How to Get Baby to Latch

1. Tickle your baby's nose with your nipple
2. Wait for your baby to open their mouth wide
3. When their mouth is wide open, pull them close to latch

Be patient. If your baby only opens their mouth a little, wait. They may not be ready yet.

Tip: Make a "nipple sandwich" with your hand as your baby opens their mouth. This can help them latch more easily.

Signs of a Good Latch

• The latch feels comfortable — no pain.
• Your baby's lips are turned out like “fish lips.”
• Your baby's mouth covers most of the dark area (areola) around your nipple.
• Your baby's nose is not covered, and their chin touches your breast.
• Your baby's ears wiggle slightly while feeding.
• You hear or see your baby swallowing.

Signs of a Poor Latch

• Milk leaking from baby's mouth, meaning the seal may be weak.
• Clicking sounds. Your baby may be swallowing air.
• No swallowing sounds.
• If you feel pain while feeding. Some tenderness in the first week is normal, but ongoing pain is not.

If the latch isn't right: Put a clean finger in your baby’s mouth to break the seal. Try again.

If you’re having trouble with your baby’s latch, contact WIC staff, your lactation consultant, or your baby’s health care provider right away.