Expert’s Note: This information is most clearly shared in the Journey Episode, but I’ve also written out an explanation here. The Episode shows me and a doll demonstrating a few different positions.

How to get started with latching a newborn baby

This is the moment you’ve looked forward to for nine long months—your baby has finally arrived! There’s a magical moment in the first hour where your baby will be really alert and open to new experiences. This is the ideal time to get the first feed going!

There are lots of different positions you can use to help latch your new baby (some with weird and wonderful names—rugby ball, anyone?). but they all have three things in common:

Baby needs to approach the breast 'chin up'
The baby's chin should be planted firmly into the breast.
Your nipple should be nose-height for them without having to move the breast out of its natural position.

This means that, from the neck up, your baby will always look the same as they approach the breast. What happens from the neck down is merely a way of getting you both comfortable.

This will all look a little complicated in written instructions, but when you practise it a few times in real life, it quickly becomes second nature. Think of it like riding a bike—wobbly at first, but awesome once you get the hang of it!

These general guidelines are a starting point, but you will find your own unique way of getting comfortable together.

Sit comfortably on the sofa or bed, with your body well supported and preferably with a slight recline back (kind of a relaxing in front of the TV position).

Bring the baby in close to your body so that they are looking up to the breast. Try to have their tummy tucked close into yours.

Let the breast sit in its natural position (as long as you can see your nipple that way). and bring the baby in close so their chin is planted into the breast and the nipple is about nose height. The chin touching the breast will 'anchor' your baby in and encourage them to open their mouth wide. At this point,you can gently push the nipple into their mouth. When they are well latched, their lips will be sticking out, but often you won't see this as they are nice and close. If you can see lips tightly pursed around this nipple, this is likely a shallow latch.

How can you tell it’s a good latch?

There are lots of ways that you can reassure yourself that you are doing this right. Look out for as many of these things happening as possible:

It doesn’t hurt. Although your breasts can be hormonally tender in the early days, breastfeeding should not cause toe-curling pain. You should feel a tugging sensation, not anything you would describe as biting, scratching, or pinching.
The baby stays engaged. By this, I don’t mean they need to have their eyes open, but rather that they maintain sustained bursts of deep sucking at the breast. The deeper and slower the suck, the bigger the mouthful of milk.
Looks Satisfied After a Feed A well-fed baby will spontaneously unlatch from the breast and look visibly satisfied with the feed. They may even get the famous “milk drunk” look in their eyes! Do bear in mind, though, that breastmilk is the biologically normal food for your baby to eat, so they find it easy (and quick!) to digest. So don’t be surprised when they want another feed an hour or two later.
Poos (a lot!). Once your milk is “in'' and until your baby is about 8 weeks old, they will have frequent bowel movements. When well fed, most babies will make at least 3–4 poos per day of at least a £2 coin size. Of course, your baby may make many more than this or fewer than this but larger in volume. Whatever the pattern, you should be seeing plenty of poo!
Feeds Frequently. Your baby was fed a constant stream of nutrition in the womb and is now slowly getting used to the idea of a “meal”. Their natural instinct is to take in small amounts of food at frequent intervals. They will slowly learn to eat larger amounts in one go, but initially, nearly all babies require 8–16 feeds every 24 hours.

How do I get started with latching a newborn baby?

Unii Expert Wendy Lever explains how to latch your newborn correctly for our Baby Feeding Journey.