So, we’ve looked at what YOU do to position the baby to feed but what does baby do once they're there.

That’s what ‘attachment’ refers to when books talk about ‘positioning and attachment’ being essential parts of successful breastfeeding.

Attachment at the breast aims to encourage a good (and comfortable) latch by:

• Baby’s chin approaching the breast first, indenting into your breast - as they feed, their chin will move and help to encourage the flow of milk.

• Baby’s bottom lip being far away from the base of the nipple

• Baby opening his mouth wide to take in a large mouthful of breast tissue

• Baby’s chin then being far away from his chest as his head tips back

• Baby’s lower lip should be curled back

• Baby’s cheeks should be full and round, not sucking in and out like they would if sucking on a straw

• More of your areola - the darker skin around your nipple - should be visible above your baby’s top lip than below the bottom

• A large amount of breast tissue should be in your baby’s mouth - not just the nipple! Your nipple should be safely at the back of baby’s mouth and not feel like it’s being squashed between your baby’s tongue and the roof of his mouth 

Some of these may be harder for you to see yourself when feeding so don't worry about those! Please don't feel the need to try and move your breast around to check what baby is up to as this can often just result in disturbing what could be a perfectly good feed.

If baby is: gaining weight well, producing plenty of wet and dirty nappies each day and seems content and alert when awake and not feeding, then baby is probably OK! 

If feeds are painful or you're worried about your breastfeeding at all, seek support! It's out there and ready to help you reach your breastfeeding goals!