Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Delaware Wic Site Logo
  • Breastfeeding
  • Nutrition Education
    • Nutrition Education
      Women
    • Nutrition Education
      Infants
    • Nutrition Education
      Children
    • Nutrition Education
      Fathers
  • Want to Learn More?
  • English
    • Español
    • Kreyòl

Getting A Good Latch

  • Home
  • Breastfeeding
  • How to Breastfeed
  • Learning to Breastfeed
  • Getting A Good Latch

Getting A Good Latch

No matter how you hold your baby while breastfeeding, it’s important to get a good latch. A good latch will help you feel comfortable and allow your baby to get the most milk.

Tips for a good latch:

Create a calm environment

Breastfeeding will be easier when you and your baby are relaxed and calm. Find a comfortable chair and position where you feel safe and supported. Try playing some soft, calming music.

Hold your baby skin-to-skin

Hold your baby, wearing only a diaper, against your bare chest. Hold the baby upright between your breasts, and just enjoy your baby for a while with no thoughts of breastfeeding.

Let your baby lead

One way to get your baby to latch is to let them lead and follow their natural instincts to suck. Allowing your baby to search for the breast can take some of the pressure off you and help keep your baby calm and relaxed. If your baby is not hungry, they will stay curled up against your chest. If they are hungry, your baby will bob their head against you, try to make eye contact, and squirm around.

Support and help your baby, but don’t force the latch

Your baby may need help latching at first. Use one arm to support your baby’s head and shoulders as they search for your breast. Use your other arm to support your breast by using a C hold or U hold. When your baby’s chin hits your breast, the firm pressure will make them open their mouth wide and up over the nipple.

As they press their chin into the breast and open their mouth, they should get a deep latch. When your baby has a good latch, they can breathe at your breast and their nostrils will flare to allow air in. Check to make sure your baby’s nostrils are not blocked by your breast.

Hand demonstrating breastfeeding technique on breast.

C HOLD

Hand holding a donut with pink frosting.

U HOLD

Baby breastfeeding, close-up, nurturing moment.

Signs of a good latch

  • The latch feels comfortable and does not hurt or pinch you. How it feels is more important than how it looks.
  • Your baby’s chest rests against your body. Your baby does not have to turn their head while nursing.
  • You see little or no areola. Your baby’s mouth will be filled with breast.
  • You hear or see your baby swallow. Some babies take a pause in their breathing when swallowing.
  • You see your baby’s ears “wiggle” slightly.
  • Your baby’s lips turn outward like fish lips-not inward.
  • Your baby’s chin touches your breast.

FINDING A GOOD LATCH

Baby breastfeeding in mother's arms, minimalist illustration.

Tickle the baby’s lips to encourage them to open wide.

Breastfeeding infant supported by caregiver’s hand.

Pull your baby close so that the chin and lower jaw moves into your breast first.

Breastfeeding infant cradled by supportive hand.

Watch the lower lip and aim it as far from the base of the nipple as possible, so the baby takes a large mouthful of breast.

Baby breastfeeding in mother's arms, minimalist illustration.

Tickle the baby’s lips to encourage them to open wide.

Breastfeeding infant supported by caregiver’s hand.

Pull your baby close so that the chin and lower jaw moves into your breast first.

Breastfeeding infant cradled by supportive hand.

Watch the lower lip and aim it as far from the base of the nipple as possible, so the baby takes a large mouthful of breast.

Delaware Wic Site Logo

Contact Us

New Castle County
(302) 283-7540
Email: nccwic@delaware.gov

Kent County
(302) 283-7540
Email: kentwic@delaware.gov

Sussex County
(302) 283-7540
Email: sussexwic@delaware.gov

Resources

  • Income Guidelines
  • WIC Breastfeeding Support
  • Delaware WIC Client Portal
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Youtube

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Click here for USDA non-discrimination statement.

Cookie PolicyPrivacy Policy

© Brush Art Corporation

  • Email
  • SMS
If you are using multiple emails, separate them with commas.

    Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon and from a bowl, never from a bottle.
    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, about 4-6 times in 24 hours.

    Babies may experience a growth spurt around 6 months of age and may feed more often.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day of infant formula.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    Use breast milk or formula to prepare 2-4 Tbsp. iron-fortified infant cereal. Offer twice per day. 2-4 Tbsp. of small pieces of dry bread, baby crackers, and cereal. Offer twice per day.
    Grains
    Vegetables
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed vegetables.
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed fruits. Applesauce, pureed peaches, or mashed banana.
    Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Plain strained, mashed, or pureed meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or legumes. May add smooth whole milk yogurt. Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.
    Proteins

    Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

    Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, 3 or more times per day.

    Infant Formula

    16-24 oz. per day. Offer in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. WIC approved infant cereals. Dry toast, crackers, bread, bagels, rolls, or plain muffins. Cooked rice and noodles.
    10-12 Month Grains
    Vegetables
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked bite-size vegetable pieces.
    10-12 Month Vegetables
    Fruits
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Fresh fruits, peeled, and in bite-size portions.
    10-12 Month Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans. Thinned, smooth peanut butter.
    10-12 Month Proteins

    Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon. Never put cereal in a bottle.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue nursing on-demand, at least 4 times in 24 hours.

    If your baby seems less interested in nursing after you introduce solids, try nursing before you offer solids.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain iron-fortified infant cereals.

    Plain rice or pasta.

    Baby crackers, small pieces of bread, or soft tortillas.

    8-9 Month Grains
    Vegetables

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain cooked vegetables, mashed with a fork.

    8-9 Month Vegetables
    Fruits

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Peeled soft fruit in bite-size pieces.

    Unsweetened canned fruit.

    8-9 Month Fruits
    Proteins

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans.

    Cottage cheese or mild cheese.

    Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.

    8-9 Month Proteins
    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Tips

    Mother breastfeeding her baby in a cozy chair.

    Breast milk and formula feeding:

    Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt when they feed more often.

    As they grow babies can hold more milk, so feedings may become further apart and take less time.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond.

    Caregiver feeding baby with spoon.

    Feeding solid foods:

    Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

    • Can sit up and hold up their own head.
    • Opens their mouth when they see food.
    • Can close their lips around a spoon.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

    Introduce peanut butter around 6 months. Mix one teaspoon of peanut butter with breast milk or formula. Make it thin and easy to swallow. Use a spoon to offer a taste of the thinned product. Watch your baby for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

    Babies under one year should NOT have honey due to the risk of botulism. Also, babies should not have foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

    All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

    Feeding Cues

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Full
    I'm Hungry
    • Stirring
      Stirring
    • Mouth opening
      Mouth opening
    • Turning head seeking/rooting
      Turning head seeking/rooting
    I'm Full
    • Releases or falls off
      Releases or “falls off”
    • Turns away
      Turns away
    • Relaxes and opens fists
      Relaxes and opens fists

    Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

    Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Nurse your baby on-demand, at least 7-9 times in 24 hours.

    When your baby starts teething, they may want to nurse more often.

    Infant Formula

    25-45 oz in 24 hours.

    Your baby needs about 4-6 oz of iron-fortified formula every 3-4 hours.

    Your baby may start to feed on a schedule. Instead of focusing on fixed amounts, let your baby tell you when they have had enough.

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Feeding a 0-3 Month Old

    Newborns have tiny tummies and need to be fed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

    Growth Spurts

    Many babies are fussy during a growth spurt and will want to nurse longer and more often. This is called cluster feeding. This is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with their needs. Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

    Growth spurts can happen at any time, and every baby is different.

    They often happen at these ages:

    Baby lying down, holding feet playfully.

    2 to 3 Weeks

    Smiling baby in white onesie crawling on bed.

    6 Weeks

    Baby in yellow shirt crawling and smiling brightly.

    3 Months

    Smiling baby sitting, wearing blue pants.

    6 Months

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Breastfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours to help your newborn stay healthy.

    Nurse on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger, such as sucking on hands or smacking lips.

    Infant Formula

    In the first few days, newborns need 2-3 oz. of iron-fortified infant formula every 3-4 hours.

    By the end of the first month, your newborn needs about 4 oz. every 4 hours.

    Feed on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger.

    What foods can I get?

    Authorized Food List
    Authorized Food List

    Where can I shop?