Signs of a Good Latch When Breastfeeding

Hey, mumma! If you’re anything like me when I had my first baby and was trying to get the hang of breastfeeding, you’ve probably heard “make sure they get a good latch” A LOT in a very short time. I understood what the midwives were trying to say… a good latch is important. But in my head, I was thinking “but what is a good latch?! I’m doing everything you say to do and it’s still not right”. I understand the frustration and uncertainty that comes with breastfeeding, especially in the early days. In this post, I’ll cover the signs of a good latch, the signs of a poor latch and some common latch mistakes that can cause ineffective breastfeeding and cracked and damaged nipples, in hopes that you can avoid that happening to you!

Signs of a Good Latch

A good latch is crucial for a smooth breastfeeding journey. So, let’s dive right into what that actually means:

Good latch = deep latch

Your baby’s mouth should be wide open, with their lips flanged outward (top lip resting neutral is ok), covering a big portion of the areola (the dark area around the nipple). When the latch is deep, you’ll notice a lot of the surrounding breast tissue in baby’s mouth, not just the nipple, which allows for comfortable and effective feeding.

Nipple placement

Your baby’s mouth should be positioned so that the nipple is at the back of their mouth. The tongue should be extended forward, cupping the breast. A shallow latch where only the nipple is in your baby’s mouth can lead to sore nipples and less efficient milk transfer.

Audible Swallowing

When your baby’s latched on well, you’ll hear them swallowing milk in a rhythmic pattern. This gentle “kah” or gulping sound is music to your ears and a clear sign that your little one is getting the nourishment they need. There’s some more information on how to tell baby’s breastfeeding well here.

What Does a Good Latch Look Like?

If you aren’t in any pain and your baby is drinking well, then it doesn’t matter what the latch looks like! But if you’re in pain and/or your baby is NOT drinking well, then there are some things to aim for.

Once latched, your baby should have:

• Head tipped back slightly.
• Nose clear, not squished into the breast.
• Both cheeks touching your breast.
• Chin digging into the breast.
• Wide mouth with a good amount of areola/breast tissue inside as well as the nipple.

For some clear photos (with labels that point out what I’m talking about!) and a handy checklist you can print out to have next to you while you’re trying to latch your baby, download my FREE “How to get a good latch” guide.

 I also want to note here that if people are telling you “the latch looks good” but breastfeeding is excruciatingly painful or baby’s not gaining enough weight, the latch is not good! It’s not always about how it looks. It’s about how well it’s working. If you’ve got concerns about your baby’s latch, reach out to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) for support! You can book a home visit or online video call with me here.

Signs of a Poor Latch

Now, let’s talk about the flip side. Here are some key signs of a poor latch:

1. Nipple Pain

Feeling pain during breastfeeding is a clear indicator of a poor latch. Although some discomfort can be normal right when bub latches for the first two weeks or so (the pain should settle within a minute or two though, not last for the whole feed). Your baby’s latch should not cause discomfort or soreness. If you’re experiencing pain, chances are the latch is not quite right.

2. Clicking or Popping Sounds

If you hear clicking or popping sounds during feeding, it’s a sign that your baby’s latch is not secure and they’re losing suction. This can result in baby not getting enough milk and discomfort for both you and your baby.

3. Nipple Compression

A poor latch may cause your nipple to look pinched or flattened after feed. Healthy nipples should remain round after baby’s fed but may look a little longer than before (temporarily).

4. Fussiness During Feeds, Short Feeds or Super Long Feeds

A baby with a poor latch may become frustrated, pull away frequently, and have shorter feedings because they’re not effectively extracting milk or have feeds that last for a long time because bub has gone off to sleep because there’s minimal milk flow. These signs can be confusing sometimes because fussiness and short feeds can be a sign of other issues, not just poor latch.

What Does a Poor Latch Look Like?

Recognising a poor latch is equally important to ensure your baby gets the milk they need, and you avoid painful damage to your nipples.

Shallow latch = bad latch 

A shallow latch is a common issue where baby’s mouth is only open a little bit instead of nice and wide and only the nipple enters their mouth. This can lead to nipple pain, damage, and ineffective milk transfer. You can see photos of a bad latch in my FREE “How to get a good latch guide” so you can see the difference. I wish someone had shown me the difference when I was struggling with a bad latch with my baby!

Common Latch Mistakes

We all make mistakes, especially when we’re new at something. Breastfeeding is no different. Let’s address some common latch mistakes:

1. Tense Body Position

Relaxation is key. Try to sit comfortably, use pillows for support, and make sure you and your baby are in a relaxed position before attempting to latch. Leaning back and having bub on top of you is often more comfortable than sitting up straight and having to support all your baby’s weight with your arms.

2. Rushing

Let baby take their time. Rushing the process can lead to a shallow latch. Be patient with yourself and your baby. Tracing your nipple over baby’s lips can help them to open wide, but make sure you do it slowly, so bub has time to open up and latch on.

3. Baby’s Tummy Facing Upwards With Their Head Turned

When you’re getting your baby into position before latching, make sure their tummy is facing in towards you and right up against your tummy with no space (or their arms) in between you both. This will help bub to feel stable and helps to trigger their feeding instincts. Their head, neck and spine should all be in line, so bub doesn’t have to turn their head to latch (try drinking with your head turned and you’ll see how hard it is to swallow!).

4. Baby’s Chin To Their Chest

When your chin is to your chest, it’s not possible to open your mouth wide, so baby will struggle to get a good latch in this position. Position your baby so that they have to tip their head back a little to get their mouth to the nipple. If you’re using the cradle hold position (the traditional breastfeeding position), you may need to move bub back towards your midline (towards their feet). Your nipple should be in line with baby’s nose.

5. Baby’s Chin and Cheeks Too Far Away From Breast

Your baby’s chin touching the breast is a trigger for them to open their mouth nice and wide. Using the positioning tips above, your baby should lead with their chin when you bring them to the breast. Once they are latched, your baby’s chin should be digging into your breast and both cheeks touching the breast. This helps the nipple get far back in baby’s mouth, so your nipple doesn’t get squashed and damaged.

6. Nose Squished Into Breast

Your baby’s nose should be clear of the breast, not squished into the breast. If your baby’s nose is squished, try moving them towards your midline (towards baby’s feet) so that tip their head back further. This will get their chin digging into the breast more and move their nose away from the breast so they can breathe easily.

In your breastfeeding journey, understanding the signs of a good latch is a game-changer. It ensures that you and your baby enjoy this beautiful bonding experience while also getting the nourishment your baby needs, without all the pain and concern about low milk supply and baby not gaining enough weight. So, remember to aim for a deep latch, listen for the sweet sounds of swallowing, and be attentive to any signs of a poor latch. It’s all part of the learning process. You’ve got this!

If you found this post helpful, send me a DM on Instagram. I’d love to hear about your breastfeeding experiences and if any tips here helped you.