Signs of a good latch
As a mother who was nursed her first child, I always thought that latch was the most important factor about nursing. It is what most women categorize as THE most important aspect... however, once I became a lactation counselor I found out all the other factors that affect a latch. Therefore, the latch itself might not be the cause of any of the issues that are occurring.
Soooo many moms put the blame on themselves for why their nursing journey was so unsuccessful and that is why I am here to work with each mom (and baby) to find out exactly what is impeding their success. BUT where do we begin?
We begin at the feeding right? NOPE! It all starts with the baby. Let's weigh the baby before the feeding to be sure that she is getting the proper nutrition from the breast. What comes next in the feeding routine? I typically look for skin to skin with mom and baby. To not only look for feeding cues from baby, but also stimulating oxytocin levels to trigger milk production. So what are the feeding cues you ask?
Head turning
Tongue thrusting
Searching for the nipple in the skin
Fists in mouth
More alert and active (however, not crying/frantic)
Once all of these things are observed, there are still more! Lactation consultants look for the shape and coloration of the nipple, the position both mom and baby are in (this includes body positioning as well), the timing for the latch, positioning of the head, chin, cheeks, lips, nose, etc. There are soooo many things that determine a good latch. Not to forget also watching the feeding and the baby's ability to manipulate the nipple and letdown of the milk. Does the baby choke? Does she need to let go of the breast to breathe? Is there a rhythmic suck to swallow ratio?
All of these are facts that could appear to be a "latch issue". Things that a lactation counselor look for in a feeding that help to create a good latch are:
Mom is in a comfortable position
Baby's head and body are being supported
Baby's head, neck, shoulders, and hips are in line
These are just three of the beginning tools needed to create a successful latch when nursing. These factors are not solely based on mom and her decisions. There are a number of factors that can influence why a mother chose to do something during a nursing session, but I am here to find out why and assist each person on a case by case basis. Remember, not all situations are the same and certainly not all babies are the same. PLEASE reach out to me for help. I am here to help you.