Positioning and Latch Checklist

Mastering the Basics: Positioning and Latching for Successful Breastfeeding

This guide offers easy-to-follow steps for proper baby positioning and latching during breastfeeding, ensuring comfort and effective feeding for both mother and baby. It highlights key techniques and signs of a good latch, with advice for troubleshooting common issues.

4 Simple Steps:

  1. Position your baby
  2. Offer your breast
  3. Check baby’s latch
  4. Notice milk transfer

Download the PDF

Interactive checklist

Once you have completed a step, click on the text or the box to the left to mark it as “completed.”

1. Position your baby

  • Get comfortable; rest against a chair or put pillows behind your back
  • Bring baby to the center of your chest
  • Press baby’s hip and chest against your body
  • Leave enough space to let baby move their head toward your breast
  • Cradle baby with the same arm as the breast they are leaning toward (left breast = cuddle with you left arm)
  • Allow baby to angle their head back to press their chin into your breast
  • Use a scissor hold to support your breast and position your nipple slightly upward
  • Bring baby’s chin to your breast with baby’s nose close to your nipple; this helps baby open their mouth wide and get a good latch
  • You can use a pillow under your arm to raise baby to breast if needed; use pillows to support your arm, not baby

2. Offer your breast

  • Bring baby to your breast, not your breast to baby; this helps baby achieve a deeper latch
  • Move quickly once baby opens their mouth wide, bring baby onto your breast, chin first
  • Place your fingers in line with baby’s lips, ensuring a large portion of your breast is offered to baby
  • Use the “sandwich hold” by gently squeezing your areola to make it easier for baby to latch
  • Aim your nipple between baby’s nose and top lip, allowing baby to take a big mouthful of your breast
  • Place baby’s lower lip on your breast about 1 inch below your nipple

3. Check baby’s latch

  • Baby’s lips should be flanged outward, like a fish, and their mouth should be open to about 140°
  • Baby’s chin should be touching your breast, and their nose should be free
  • The latch should be asymmetrical, with more of the areola visible above baby’s top lip and less below the bottom lip
  • Ensure that there is no pain or discomfort during breastfeeding; if there is, break the latch by gently inserting a clean finger into the corner of baby’s mouth and try again
  • Your nipple should not be creased or pinched when baby unlatches

4. Notice milk transfer

  • Watch for wide and rhythmic jaw movements as baby sucks
  • Look for consistent sucking patterns, with short pauses for baby to swallow
  • After your milk comes in (usually a few days after birth), you should be able to hear baby swallowing as they feed
  • Baby should seem satisfied after feeding and show signs of weight gain over time

Remember, a proper latch is essential for successful breastfeeding.

If you experience any difficulties with positioning or latch, don’t hesitate to reach out to your IBCLC or other healthcare professional for guidance and support