Latch (or attachment) is the way a baby takes the breast into their mouth to feed; a good latch allows effective milk transfer and helps prevent sore nipples.
Latch — also called attachment — describes how a baby takes the nipple and a good portion of the surrounding breast into their mouth to breastfeed. The NHS advises bringing the baby to the breast and letting them attach themselves, rather than leaning the breast into the baby's mouth, which can lead to poor attachment.
What are the signs of a good latch?
According to the NHS, signs of good attachment include the baby's chin touching the breast with the nose clear, a wide-open mouth, more of the darker areola visible above the top lip than below the bottom lip, full and rounded cheeks during feeding, and feeding that is comfortable rather than painful.
Why does a good latch matter?
A good latch allows a baby to remove milk effectively and helps protect against sore or cracked nipples. The NHS notes that a baby's head and body should be in a straight line, as it is hard for a baby to swallow if their head and neck are twisted.
What can affect latching?
Difficulty attaching can have several causes, including conditions such as tongue tie. The NHS notes that breastfeeding support is available from midwives, health visitors and breastfeeding specialists, and that persistent pain or difficulty is a reason to seek that support.
If you’ve just had your baby and breastfeeding isn’t going to plan, you’re not alone—and you’re certainly not doing anything wrong.
Read the articleDefinitions only get you so far. Let's talk about your baby.
A complimentary 15-minute discovery call. No commitment, no script — just tell me what's going on and I'll tell you whether I can help.