By Summer, RNC, BSN, Breastfeeding Educator

Breastfeeding a newborn is very different from breastfeeding a six-month-old or even a 3-month-old baby. Learn which positions are best for breastfeeding your newborn, what a good latch feels like, different techniques for achieving a deeper latch, and how to know when your baby is full.

Contrary to popular belief, the body does not automatically produce milk after delivery. In fact, it’s when labor is over, that the real work begins. With a typical hospital stay of 24 to 48 hours, chances are you will be discharged before your milk supply even comes in. On your own at home, you may begin to realize that some things about being a mother are just not as intuitive as you had hoped for. Breastfeeding is a learning process for both you and your baby. Understanding some simple concepts and a few of the best positions for nursing your newborn will set you up for success and minimize stress while you and your baby are getting acquainted.

I like to tell parents, “When newborns are awake, they should be at the breast.” By nursing, your baby is sending your body the message to begin milk production. The more your body gets the message, the faster your milk will come in. A good latch takes practice - Mother Nature had this in mind when she created colostrum. Colostrum is a super concentrated form of breast milk that is meant to sustain and entice the baby without filling them up. These delicious drops keep them coming back to stimulate your milk production. Establishing a good latch will ensure an effective method of removal when your milk supply does come in and will reduce the risks of engorgement.

Babies are born with a suck reflex at the back of their tongues. Understanding the mechanism behind this can help you visualize where the breast should be in your baby’s mouth to properly pull the milk from the ducts. Take the mystery out of the perfect latch and slip a clean finger into your baby’s mouth. Gently press on the back of the tongue and feel how the tongue curls around your finger and your baby begins to suck. The key to the perfect latch is applying this same pressure with your breast. And a good breastfeeding position for a newborn is one in which this is easily visualized. Couple it with the solid ear-to-ear grasp for head control and you will hit your target every time.

What is the best position to feed a newborn?

• The Football or Clutch position is the absolute best position to visualize the back of the tongue. It is my go-to position for newborns. I start all mothers in this position right after delivery. It offers the mother solid head control with the ear-to-ear grasp and a perfect view of the back of the tongue. This position is also great for sleepy babies. Sit them up and their eyes will open, just like our baby dolls of childhood!

• The Cross Cradle position also offers the mother a good view of the back of the tongue with solid head control using the ear-to-ear grasp. While her more advanced cousin, the Cradle position, offers neither. This traditional breastfeeding position, the baby cradled in the elbow, is actually a very difficult position for newborns and is better for older babies and great for multitasking moms!  

• The Side-lying position is a lifesaver for those nighttime nursing sessions. The side-lying position comes with built-in head stability and a great view of the back of the tongue all from the comfort of your bed.

What does a good latch feel like?

Correct positioning of a good latch will leave little to no areola visible outside the mouth. We refer to this as a wide V vs a narrow V. The proper technique for achieving a good latch is to stimulate the lips with your nipple and quickly separate them to create the space for your baby to open wide. Babies will actually purse their lips to continued stimulation and a good latch cannot be achieved by attempting to cram your breast through. Over and over, you stimulate and separate, stimulate and separate, and wait for your baby to open up wide. When you can clearly see the back of the tongue aim your breast at it and shove it in!

How do I get my newborn to latch more deeply?

• In order to attain a deep latch, the nose and chin must both be pressed against the breast. Your baby’s nostrils are naturally flared up on the sides so they can breathe while pressed against the breast.  

• It is very important to hold your breast against the chest wall. Many mothers make the mistake of holding their breasts too close to the areola. How will you get the whole areola in the mouth with your hand in the way?   

• Tummy to tummy refers to correct body position. Turn your baby so that they are tummy to tummy with you. This ensures that your breast is directly in front of the face. Have you tried eating with your head turned to the side?

• Bring baby to the breast not your breast to baby. Use a pillow, or two, to bring your baby up to your breast. Mastering this back-saving concept will change everything.  

• Hand Express to start. Roll your nipple between your fingers and express a bit of milk before you start breastfeeding. Stimulate your milk to let down and let your baby reap the rewards.

• If your nipple resembles the tip of a lipstick tube after nursing helps your baby learn to relax the back of the tongue by using a finger to gently apply pressure until they curl around it and begin to suck. You can do this for a moment each time before nursing, referred to as finger training, provides the mother with useful insight.

How do I know my baby is full?

Babies very often fall asleep while breastfeeding. It can be difficult to judge when your baby has breastfed for long enough. Generally, your body needs either stimulation to establish supply, or drainage of an established supply for about 20 mins on each side. If your baby has fallen asleep between breasts try laying them on a flat surface and changing her diaper, this will usually rouse them out of their peaceful slumber to finish the other side. Talking to your baby and stroking their head will also coax a peaceful baby back to nursing. Or express a few drops of milk into your sleeping baby’s mouth and watch them come alive looking for more.  

Conclusion

Now that you understand how a good latch should feel and how to get a deeper latch, try nursing in these newborn-specific positions while you and your newborn are establishing the foundations of a good latch. Take advantage of the knowledgeable staff of nurses and lactation consultants at the hospital. They are a great resource. Make sure to express how important your decision to breastfeed is and they will support your start down the liquid gold road.