What to do when your baby is not latching on.

Breastfeeding is an experience that will be a whole lot more relaxed if both you and baby are able to achieve a good latch. If you are having some issues getting your baby to latch on properly, these are some of the top tips that you can use that should get you results.

Do Your Research

Before your baby even arrives, it is going to be best to take a breastfeeding class. However, if you did not get a chance to attend one, you still have the ability to go to one at your local hospital or birthing center. These are great courses that will go over some of the different positions to help you find one that works best for you and your baby. This is all about making you more comfortable with the process. Additionally, you may find that connecting with the other moms can become a wonderful outlet for support when you are having problems or questions while breastfeeding your little one.

Get Comfortable 

Try to find a relaxed position that will be easy for you to stay in for a period of time. Experts will usually encourage moms to breastfeed while using a reclined position. Being at around a 45 degree angle will be comfortable for most moms in the beginning because lying back will help you with gravity and supporting your baby so that you are not having to take on all of the work. This can be an easier position for the baby to use his or her hands as well as turn and lift her head or bury the chin into your breast. These are all things that will help when trying to get your baby to latch on. Just keep in mind that you may need to have an extra pillow or two and have a water bottle handy so that you can rehydrate while your baby is breastfeeding.

Start As Soon As Possible

As a new mom, the earlier that you are able to get going with breastfeeding, the quicker you should be able to tap into the innate abilities that your baby has for latching on. This will not only help you to improve the process for the body of you, but it will help while making your supply of milk nice and strong. The baby will have a natural reflex after birth to make way to the breast to nurse. When you work to put your baby in a position that is skin on skin, you can work to foster these reflexes. Think about doing skin contact and using your touch and natural smell to bring baby in to work on rooting and nuzzling for the nipple.

Set Your Baby Up For Success

Start off by putting your baby on your bare chest tummy down while only in his or her diaper. Be sure that your baby's chin and cheeks are on your breasts to get the right amount of contact. Some mothers will find it comfortable to put the baby in a horizontal position on the chest, but this is all about finding the right position that is going to feel best for you. Expressing a little bit of colostrum will also help to spark your baby's interest in feeding. All you have to do is rub your finger and thumb in a back and forth motion across the nipple while gently compressing the areola so that a small amount comes out. In an ideal situation your baby's bottom lip will be right around the bast of the areola so that he or she will be able to smell the colostrum and want to nurse. 

Once you get your baby to latch on, you should also know the signs of a good latch. You will normally feel a tugging or pulling sensation on your breast when baby is getting milk. To tell if your baby is swallowing, you will normally see the temple and jaw moving in a rhythmic motion and you will hear occasional breathing sounds after each swallow. As long as you take the time to be patient with your baby and try some of these tips, you will find that it could be easier to get your baby to latch for success with breastfeeding.

To supplement direct latching, breast pumps are a good addition to help out in times of need. Purchase breast pumps here.