Helpful Tips for Proper Latching Proper latching is one of the most Your newborn may latch on as soon as you hold important aspects in determining the them to your breast. If not, don’t despair. Keep quality of the breastfeeding experience. at it and try some of the following helpful tips. S The correct latch helps your baby get the ASIC proper nutrition and makes nursing more B comfortable for you. BREASTFEEDING TO SHAPE THE BREAST for easy latch-on, compress your breast in a “U” hold, with your thumb and index finger at 3 and 9. WHEN LATCHING and positioning your baby at the breast, hold baby’s nose close to your nipple. GUIDE BABY’S MOUTH toward your nipple, pointing the nipple slightly up toward the roof of STROKE HER BOTTOM LIP with your nipple and wait baby’s mouth with more of the lower areola (the for baby’s mouth to open wide. dark area surrounding the nipple) in baby’s mouth. MORE AREOLA WILL BE VISIBLE above the nipple than below. Baby’s chin should be against your breast when latched. In the beginning, some slight discomfort is normal. If there are more than a few moments of discomfort or if she is suckling only on the nipple, break the suction For live nutrition support, call our FeedingExpert line with your finger and try again. Several tries may be necessary. A nurse or lactation at 1-800-986-8800 (M–F, 8:30 AM–7 PM ET). consultant can help. 8 9