Awesome visual! Enable breastfeeding and and empower new parents. Let's share positive feeding stories. γ°γ°γ°γ°γ°γ°γ°
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Posted @withrepost β’ @thenursingnest Let's talk about latching! The vast majority of breastfeeding challenges I encounter in my practice have everything to do with the way baby latches on.
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When a baby latches shallowly on the breast, the nipple can get pinched against the hard palate of baby's mouth. When released from this type of latch, the nipple often has a pointed or lipstick shape. If baby is allowed to continue to nurse this way, it can lead to nipple tenderness, blisters, cracks, and bleeding π Nobody wants that!
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Deep latches can make all the difference! When latched deeply, the nipple is drawn back along the roof of baby's mouth, all the way to the soft palate. Not only is this much more comfortable, but it stimulates baby's sucking reflex, and also helps baby to access more milk as they massage and compress the milk ducts deeper within the breast.
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So how do you latch baby deeply? First things first - wait for baby to open their mouth widely. Next, notice that the nipple is aimed towards baby's upper lip - the key here is to have baby positioned low, with the nipple tilted high. It seems counterintuitive; most moms think they should be aiming directly centred on the nipple, but what we should actually should do is called an asymmetric latch that is off-centred. When baby latches on the lower part of the areola, it allows the nipple to be pulled back further along the roof of the mouth towards the soft palate. Also notice how baby's head is slightly tilted back and baby's chin is the first part to come to the breast - this position is important in achieving and maintaining a deep latch.
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Happy latching! πΆπΌ Credit to Global Health Media for this fantastic video, a clip taken from their "What to do about nipple pain" video.
