How do I latch my baby?

When your baby is crying, refusing to latch, and you’re running on no sleep, it feels like an emergency. You might be thinking, “How am I supposed to remember what the hospital lactation consultant showed me for 15 minutes days ago?”

Take a breath. You’re not alone. This is exactly what Emergency Lactation Care is here for. Compassionate, judgment-free breastfeeding help when you need it most.

One of the first things I remind parents is this: a hangry baby has a really hard time learning something new. Before we work on latch, we need to help your baby regulate and calm down.

Here are some calming techniques that often make a big difference:

• Gently rock your baby side-to-side for vestibular input

• Add in humming or low singing to soothe their nervous system

• Hold your baby a little snug (if under 3 months) to mimic the womb environment

Once your baby is calmer, latching becomes much easier. A non-screaming baby = a better chance at success.

Some latch tips to keep in mind:

• Get comfortable first. Protect your back by bringing baby to you, not the other way around.

• Aim nose to nipple, chin to breast. This helps achieve a deeper, more comfortable latch.

• Belly-to-belly alignment. Baby’s tummy should be against yours, with their ears, shoulders, and hips in a straight line.

A great example of a baby with her belly touching mom’s belly while nursing with a straight line from the ears, shoulders, and hips.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. If your baby isn’t latching or you feel like every feeding is a struggle, Emergency Lactation Care offers virtual lactation consultant support, when you need it most: nights, weekends, and even holidays.