Deep, Comfortable Breastfeeding Latch: A Simple Guide

If breastfeeding is hurting, something needs to change — and more often than not, the answer lies in the breastfeeding latch. Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, and while a bit of tenderness in the very early days is common, ongoing pain almost always means your baby isn't getting a deep enough mouthful of breast.

The good news is that a comfortable latch is something most babies can do instinctively, if we give them the chance. Here's how to help that happen.

Why the latch matters so much

When a baby only has the nipple in their mouth, without much breast tissue, it's called a shallow latch. It's uncomfortable for you, and your baby will often struggle to get a proper feed. A deep latch — where your baby has a big mouthful of breast as well as the nipple — is what allows your milk to flow well and keeps things comfortable for you both.

Before you even start

Watch for early feeding cues. A baby who's rooting, turning their head side to side, or sucking on their fists is ready to feed. Waiting until they're crying to attach makes latching much harder for everyone — a calm baby latches far more easily than an upset one.

Get yourself properly comfortable. Whether you're sitting up or reclining, make sure your back is supported and your baby feels secure against you. A baby who doesn't feel stable may wave their arms about or clamp down with their jaw, which can lead to pain for you.

Let your baby use their hands. It's tempting to tuck those little hands away, but babies use their hands to find and shape the breast as part of latching. Skip the scratch mittens at feeding time if you can.

The three phases of latching

1. Positioning

Hold your baby close, tummy to tummy against you, well supported across the shoulders and back — not with a hand pressing on the back of the head, as this can trigger your baby to push away from the breast rather than towards it. Bringing your baby's chin to touch the breast first, with the nose roughly level with the nipple, helps them tip their head back slightly and open wide, the way we naturally do when taking a big bite of something.

2. Attaching

Wait for a proper wide gape — a really wide, open mouth, like a yawn — before bringing baby onto the breast. Try not to stroke or tickle the lips with your nipple to encourage this; it often has the opposite effect and leads to a shallower latch. Once the mouth is wide open, bring your baby to the breast by guiding gently from the shoulders, rather than leaning forward to post the nipple in like a bottle. Let your baby travel onto the breast rather than falling onto it.

3. Comfort

Once your baby is attached and feeding well, it's fine to adjust your own position — lean back, bring your shoulders down, use a cushion or pillow to bring your baby to the right height rather than hunching down to them. A latch that starts off deep can still become uncomfortable over a long feed if you're straining, so don't be afraid to resettle.

What a good latch looks like

• Your baby's chin is buried into the breast, and their nose is clear or just brushing it

• More areola is visible above the top lip than below the bottom lip

• The bottom lip is turned outwards, not tucked in

• Feeding is comfortable after the first few sucks — some initial tenderness can be normal, but pain throughout a feed is not

If it's still not working

Latching is a skill, and like any skill, it can take a little practice for both of you to get the hang of it. Some babies pick it up straight away, others need more time — and some need a bit of extra help, whether that's because of a tricky birth, prematurity, tongue tie, or simply finding their feet. If breastfeeding is still uncomfortable after trying the tips above, or if you're not sure things are going the way they should, it's always worth having someone take a proper look rather than muddling through.

That's exactly what I'm here for. I offer breastfeeding consultations, tongue tie assessments, and follow-up support — in clinic in Listowel, at home across North Kerry, or online wherever you are. You don't have to work it out alone.

If you're not sure what kind of support you need, you're welcome to book a free introductory chat — a short call to talk through where you're at and whether a consultation is the right next step.