The breastfeeding experience is one of the most challenging, selfless journeys new parents can embark on. Many birth parents know before labor and delivery how they’d like to feed their newborn. Some choose to forego the breastfeeding experience, while many are adamant about making things work.

Regardless of the decisions a family makes, it’s important to note that all feeding journeys are necessary, valid, and healthy. We took some time to collect the seven best tips for parents-to-be for getting their newborn baby to latch should they choose to follow a breastfeeding path. With these tips, providers and parents can assist and successfully achieve the highly desirable yet ever-challenging experience of breastfeeding a new bundle of joy.

Education Is Key

The first and potentially most important tip to consider is education. While a breastfeeding experience is solely physical, something that helps many birth parents decide to breastfeed and prolong their success is how much education they receive or have access to. With the help of this education, parents learn about the milk types, the various positions that can support the experience, and how often to nurse a baby.

Simply understanding breastfeeding can improve a mother-baby’s dynamics when attempting to latch, nurse, or breastfeed for an extended period. Birth parents are encouraged to take prenatal and delivery classes where facilities and providers can use breastfeeding education models to help inspire, educate, and prepare new parents.

Find Out What’s Comfortable

A significant reason birth parents struggle with their journey is because they can’t seem to get comfortable. Finding a great place to sit or lay during a nursing session can make or break the baby’s ability to latch and receive the appropriate milk volume.

Supporting a mother with pillows and seating they enjoy can help, but investing in support aids such as nipple shields or nursing pillows can support these efforts as well. The most helpful position for many in the early days and weeks is a relaxed, reclined position with support pillows and aids. This position helps support a newborn’s position and allows gravity to facilitate proper milk flow.

Begin Nursing During Golden Hour

Beginning the nursing journey during the “golden hour” is a crucial factor in ensuring a successful supply and experience for the chosen timeframe. Golden hour is the first hour after delivery, as this time frame allows a baby to nestle on the chest of the parent in skin-to-skin contact and receive its first meal.

This special period also serves as a trigger for the breastfeeding mother, encouraging her body and hormones to understand that it’s time to begin producing milk for a nursing baby. Some providers may further support this effort by allowing the newborn to crawl up a mother’s abdomen in search of the milk source, a reflex for many newborns.

Monitor the Newborn’s Position

Setting the newborn up for success is a step in the right direction. When a newborn learns to nurse correctly early on, they will use muscle memory to revisit the breast and continue in their feeds. It’s imperative that the birth parent and supporting family monitor the baby’s latch technique to check for inaccuracies or issues.

Keeping the baby positioned comfortably and monitoring their mouth position around the areola can help ensure a secure, accurate mouth position. A lactation consultant can lend a hand and continue to visit the birth family’s home or take appointments as necessary. It’s essential to note that many community support groups and efforts are accessible and available regardless of a birth parent’s current experience with nursing.

Keep Your Eye on the Latch

Keeping eyes on the newborn’s latch is crucial, especially in the beginning weeks of a nursing experience. When a birth parent complains of nipple discomfort and sore or cracked nipples, most often, the issue is the baby’s latch and suckling rhythm. The bottom lip and chin should nestle directly around the areola, with no areola showing. The top lip and nose should line up with the nipple, and the nursing parent may see a small portion of the areola around the top of the newborn’s mouth.

If the nursing parent’s nipple shape is making it difficult to find a good latch, it’s best to invest in nipple shields. Nipple shields act as a set of training wheels for both newborn and mother and help the nipple take a sturdy shape for a proper latch. These are great in the early days, and parents can stop using them per their own discretion and comfort with the process.

Address Struggles Immediately

It’s critical that a nursing parent addresses their struggles when they arise instead of waiting for a major issue to occur. The most common issues are clogged ducts, mastitis, and cracked or sore nipples. Investing in prenatal education that discusses these potential outcomes can prepare birth parents so that if these things occur, they don’t panic and can navigate the issue right away.

When any of these issues linger, the breastfeeding dynamic is at risk of failure. More importantly, the newborn’s feeding experience may require a change, creating discomfort. Parents can treat sore and cracked nipples with a nipple balm or salve, and some use their breastmilk to treat skin ailments. For clogged ducts or onsets of mastitis, it’s critical to locate the source of the problem and encourage the newborn to continue nursing. The newborn’s latch and suckling technique is strong enough to encourage the clog through the ducts.

Invest in Breastfeeding Tools

Discussing these seven tips for getting newborn babies to latch is not complete without encouraging investment in breastfeeding tools. We briefly discussed a few tools above that can assist in securing a successful journey. However, it’s essential to understand that these tools come in a variety of options, and birth parents may choose items that best align with their needs. Aside from nursing pillows, nipple balms, and nipple shields, items nursing parents find helpful include:

• Manual breast pumps
• Colostrum collection containers
• Electric breast pumps
• Breast massagers
• Hot/cold packs
• Nursing attire

At Cascade Health Care, we honor all breastfeeding and feeding experiences, regardless of techniques and preferences. We support providers, mothers, and professionals through their experiences with our wide selection of tools and supplies. Partner with us to invest in provisions for your home or practice to set yourself or your patients up for success.