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Good Attachment

Good Attachment

Key Messages

  • Good attachment helps to ensure that your baby suckles well and helps you to produce a good supply of breast milk.
  • Good attachment helps to prevent sore and cracked nipples.
  • Breastfeeding should not be painful.
  • Get help to improve the attachment if you experience pain.
  • There are 4 signs of good attachment:
    1. Baby’s mouth is wide open
    2. You can see more of the darker skin (areola) above the baby’s mouth than below
    3. Baby’s lower lip is turned outwards 4. Baby’s chin is touching mother’s breast
  • The signs of effective suckling are:
    1. The baby takes slow deep suckles, sometimes pausing.
    2. You may be able to see or hear your baby swallowing after one or two suckles.
    3. Suckling is comfortable and pain free for you.
    4. Your baby finishes the feed, releases the breast and looks contented and relaxed.
    5. The breast is softer after the feed.
  • Effective suckling helps you to produce milk and satisfy your baby.
  • After your baby releases one breast offer your baby the other breast. This will ensure that your baby stimulates your milk production in both breasts, and also gets the most nutritious and satisfying milk.