How to Get the Baby to Latch on Correctly While Breastfeeding



Breastfeeding is the natural and healthy way to feed a baby. This is because the milk of a mother has all the nutrients that a baby needs. During the first few weeks of breastfeeding, the mother and the baby are both in the process of learning, and one important factor for a successful nursing relationship is the proper latching of her baby. Doing this will lessen or prevent the nipple soreness and should guarantee that the baby gets the adequate milk that it needs. Here are some tips on how to have the baby latch on properly while breastfeeding.

Hold the baby like a football or in a cross-cradle hold. This kind of position will let the mother control the movement of the baby’s head. Then with the tilted head of the baby, align the nipple in front of the baby’s nose. Stroke the lips or cheeks of the baby with your nipple. You can also extract some drops of colostrum to encourage the mouth of the baby to open. As you tickle the lips of your baby, wait for a few seconds until the mouth opens wide, then put the whole nipple, including the dark areola, into the baby’s mouth.

Breastfeeding, in general, should not hurt anybody neither the mother nor the baby. A slight tenderness of the nipple is normal in the first few days or weeks but bleeding, cracked nipples, or soreness are not normal. They should be examined by a lactation specialist to come up with a much-needed solution that will ensure better breastfeeding.

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