Congratulations on your successful delivery and the start of your breastfeeding journey. The road ahead is long but well worth every devoted second. One of the unknown factors of your journey may bring you to the core issue of whether your baby is properly latched to your breast and receiving the needed nourishment. We explore a few common signs to reassure or reevaluate your baby’s latch.

You Hear the Swallows

Being immersed in the early postpartum experience, hopefully, your environment fosters your need for quiet spaces and nourishing your baby. One of the perks of this quietness is hearing your baby swallowing as they nurse. Lean in like you’re consoling your baby and quiet the world around you. Listen for the sound of a swallow in the back of your baby’s throat.

If you hear it, great news, your baby is latched properly. If you don’t hear it, that’s okay. Consider unlatching them with your pinky and latching them a little deeper. Your baby may grow frustrated with unlatching but remain relaxed because a proper latch will soothe them soon.

Breastfeeding Is Painless

Breastfeeding with the correct latch is almost always painless. We say almost always because there are instances of nipping near four to five months of breastfeeding. This slight pinch of your nipple will alarm you, but your baby will grow out of this. Outside of this learning curve, later on, breastfeeding should be pain free. Pain while nursing is associated with a poor latch structure and suckling techniques.

You might also feel rawness and tenderness after a nursing session, which is also a sign of improper latching and suckling. Readdress the baby’s latch before a session to ensure it is as deep as it’s supposed to be. Commonly, the pain is associated with the baby’s suckling being too shallow and them not wrapping enough of the areola.

You Don’t See Much Areola

Speaking of the areola, if you see too much of your areola outside the baby’s mouth while nursing, they are not latched deep enough. Slide your pinky through the bottom lip and unlatch. Line their nose up to your nipple with the hand of your nursing side. With your opposite hand, sandwich your breast with a gentle squeeze.

Place the sandwiched breast into the baby’s mouth and help guide their lips around the areola. Again, most of your areola should be inside the baby’s mouth. The goal is to get their tongue and the roof of their mouth to suckle on the nipple so the milk can hit the throat and trigger the swallowing reflex. Try to listen for the swallows after relatching.

The Classic Corner Mouth Milk Leak

You may have the best latch, and your baby’s weight is steadily increasing, but you could still wonder if you’re doing it right or if your baby is latched properly. That’s okay. If you know they’re swallowing and it’s pain free, look for the milk leak at the corner of their mouth. This is one of those sweeter signs you’re doing things well.

Cascade Health Care offers professional- and medical-grade breastfeeding teaching tools designed to ensure maximum mother-baby support. Contact a member of our team to learn more!