Breastfeeding support – how to position and latch your baby. Good attachment at the breast comes from baby being in a good position across their Mother’s body. Mother has to be sat comfortably and in a sustainable position as she may be there a while. It is important to try and feed baby when they are showing early hunger cues: rooting, lip smacking and large arm movements. For cradle and cross cradle baby should be straight across your body, a straight line should be seen from their head and shoulders to their hips. Baby’s feet tucked up and into their mother’s armpit.

There are many different positions for breastfeeding but ALWAYS remember the acronym CHINS.

CLOSE – Baby needs to be close to mum so they can scoop enough breast into their mouth

HEAD FREE – Baby needs to be able to tilt their head back when attaching to the breast. This will allow their chin to lead as they come in to breast.

IN-LINE – The baby’s head and body need to be in a long straight line so they don’t have to twist their neck. This makes swallowing easier.

NOSE TO NIPPLE – Mum’s nipple should be just below baby’s nose. as they root and tilt their head backwards, the nipple will slip under the top lip, upwards and backwards, to rest on the baby’s palate.

SUSTAINABLE – The position should be comfortable for both mum and baby for the duration of the feed.

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Holding baby around base of the neck rub your nipple on their nose. When baby opens mouth wide scoop baby into the breast, allow them to drop their head back and lead with their chin into the breast. You do not lean forwards, baby comes to you. Chin should be tucked into breast and nose is free to breath. All baby’s breath through their nose. Chin should drop low, cheeks full and you should hear and see swallows. Baby will have to pause at points and this is normal, you should have nice eye contact and connection with baby. Feeds can vary in length, again this is normal. To remove baby from the breast use your little finger in the side of their mouth to unlatch them.

Recognising effective attachment

  • Chin touching breast
  • Mouth wide open
  • Lower lip curled back
  • Cheeks full and rounded
  • More areola visible above top lip
  • Rhythmic suck / swallow with pauses
  • Feeding should be pain-free