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BREASTFEEDING BASICS
Latching
and Milk Transfer
Activities
Discussion
Hands-on practice
Resources
SIWB book page 60 * PowerPoint slides 128 – 129
* 2023 edition . Prior editions pages 59 and 62 .
Breastfeeding Basics poster Breast model and dolls
Achieving a comfortable latch is one of the key factors in breastfeeding success . Helping parents understand the elements of a good latch can help them avoid challenges .
Discussion Prompts
• Describe what you think a good latch should look like .
• Have you heard of the let-down reflex ? What is it ?
Key Points
• Signs of a good latch :
• Mouth opened wide with lips pursed out .
• Chin touching breast and head tipped back slightly so that the nipple is pointed towards the roof of baby ’ s mouth .
• Enough breast tissue in the mouth that the nipple reaches the space where the hard and soft palates meet further back in the roof of the mouth .
• Transferring milk :
• Initial sucking , with short , quick movement of the jaw (“ nibbling ”), gets the milk to let down .
• After let-down , when milk is flowing , baby will switch to a steady , rhythmic sucking . Watch for jaw and ears to move and listen for swallowing .
• Bottle vs . breast : involve very different uses and positions of baby ’ s tongue . Using a bottle or pacifier during the first 4 – 6 weeks can cause “ nipple confusion .”
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