Baby Bliss Quick Guide: 10 Keys to a Successful Breastfeed

Elysia Gobbie

Key 1: Preparation:

Empty bladder
Water bottle close by
Cloth at the ready

Key 2: Your positioning:

Sitting comfortably with your back straight & lap, flat (footstool if needed)
Pillows: for behind your back and feeding pillow (great for while you are learning to breastfeed)

Key 3: Baby’s positioning:

Full control of baby’s head with one hand across their shoulder blades
Thumb just under baby’s ear and middle finger along jaw line
Index finger as extra support for baby’s head
Bring baby to the breast not breast to the baby
Nose to nipple
Tummy to tummy
Baby hugging you with one arm and the other arm tucked in between you
Ear, shoulder and hip in straight line

Key 4: Breast

Use other hand to support the breast, keeping it in its natural position
U hold – thumb and index finger at 3 & 9 O’clock, not covering areola
Compress breast tissue to get a deep latch

Key 5: Latching

Stimulate your baby by brushing breast against their bottom lip & chin
Bring baby’s chin into breast first
Wait for a wide open mouth – Be gentle, but quickly latch your baby to the breast by using a hinge movement, with their chin as the fulcrum – Remember hamburger!

Key 6: Effective latch?

Does it feel right?

It can feel tender but not painful with the tenderness reducing within 15-30 seconds
Feel pain – break the suction and try again

Does is look right?

Baby’s lips turned out like a fish against the breast
Nose and cheeks gently touching the breast.
Chin is pressed firmly into breast
Little or no areola visible
Head in natural ‘sculling’ position – straighten wrist if required
No clicking sounds or dimpling in baby’s cheeks

A Shallow Latch is ' Nipple Feeding'

Babies cannot transfer milk from the breast effectively
Get frustrated at the breast
Are more unsettled
Feed for longer
Your breast gets less stimulation so you will produce less milk
It can be very painful and can cause damage to your nipples

A Deep Latch is 'Breastfeeding

Your baby will use their jaw, cheeks, lips and tongue to transfer milk effectively from the breast, by massaging it with their whole mouth.

Establishing a deep latch is vital for breastfeeding success

Key 7: Your baby maintains their deep latch

Baby has a deep latch throughout the whole feed
If something changes or it does not feel right – break the suction and reattach your baby

Key 8: Effective sucking and milk transfer?

Sustained rhythmic suck/swallow/breathe pattern with brief pauses
Audible swallowing
Baby’s mouth is moist after their feed or milk around mouth
Let-down sensations may be felt – tingling, sudden thirst, milk leaking from other side, feeling drowsy/relaxed, uterine contraction

Key 9: ‘Relax’

Release your hand that is supporting your breast and bring it around your baby
Consciously think – ‘Relax’ – take a big breath in and drop your shoulders
Keep your guiding hand in place while you and your baby are learning

Key 10: Was it an effective feed?

Your nipple should not look misshapen, flattened, ridged or blanched when your baby comes off the breast
Your breasts will feel noticeably softer after the feed

Your baby will appear full and satisfied

Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to know anything more about breastfeeding or would like some support with your breastfeeding journey.

Get support from

BabyBliss Consultant Elysia

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