How to get a good latch: 4 Breastfeeding tips for new moms 

The first few days of breastfeeding rarely look as calm and effortless as the photos you see online. Behind those peaceful-looking moments can be a tired mom, a baby still learning to latch and plenty of trial and error.  

You are tired, your baby is learning, and something that is meant to feel natural can feel anything but. Being unsure and worried about latching is more common than you think.  

In one study of more than 500 mothers, 92% reported a breastfeeding challenge by day three ^[1].  

In this article, you will learn about the science behind getting a good latch, including four practical ways to help your baby latch more comfortably and the three things your baby does during a feed. 

Why does a good breastfeeding latch matter?

A good latch is about more than getting your baby attached to the breast. Your baby needs to take enough breast tissue into their mouth to feed effectively, while you need a position that does not leave your nipple being pinched or rubbed. 

Poor positioning and latching are linked to nipple damage, and nipple pain is common in the early weeks of breastfeeding ^[2]. So if breastfeeding hurts, it is not something you have to endure or “get used to”. Pain can be a sign that your baby’s position or latch needs adjusting. 

A common culprit is a shallow latch, which happens when your baby takes in mainly the nipple rather than a deep mouthful of breast tissue. This makes feeding painful and prevents your baby from removing milk effectively. 

This is something mothers talk about often. In our Supermom community, a mother shared, “My baby latch 5 mins then struggle a bit then continue.” Another described a common pattern: “impatient so keep shallow latch.” 

4 Ways to get a good latch while breastfeeding

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it does not always come naturally. It is a learned skill that you and your baby learn together, and small adjustments can make a noticeable difference.  

In one study, poor latch scores dropped from 47.6% shortly after birth to 11.4% within a day or two after mothers received hands-on guidance ^[3]. 

Try these four steps at your next feed. 

1. Line up your baby’s nose with your nipple 

Bring your baby close with their nose level with your nipple, rather than positioning their mouth directly in front of it. 

Keep your baby’s head, neck and body aligned and facing you. Supporting your baby’s body with pillows can also help you stay comfortable, especially during longer feeds. 

Aligning nose-to-nipple encourages your baby to tip their head back slightly. This allows them to open their mouth wide and take in a deeper mouthful of breast tissue from underneath. 

2. Wait for a wide-open mouth 

Gently brush your nipple against your baby’s upper lip and wait for them to open their mouth wide, rather than trying to put your nipple into a partly open mouth. 

When your baby opens wide, bring them towards your breast in one smooth motion. Aim to have their chin make contact with the breast first, with the nipple directed towards the roof of their mouth. 

Your baby should take in a large mouthful of breast tissue, covering more of the lower areola (below the nipple) than the top. 

3. Look for the signs of a deep latch 

Once your baby is attached, look at both how the latch looks and how it feels. 

What You Should See & Hear: 

Wide mouth: Their mouth is open wide, with their chin resting flush against your breast and their nose slightly clear. 

Flanged lips: Both upper and lower lips are flared outward (like fish lips), not tucked in. 

Asymmetrical areola: You can see more of the top portion of your areola than the bottom portion. 

Rounded cheeks: Cheeks remain smooth and rounded during a suck, rather than dimpling or sucking inward. 

Rhythmic feeding: You see a steady pattern of suck-swallow-breathe 

What You Should Feel: 

A firm tug, not pain: You should feel a deep, rhythmic pulling sensation on your breast. 

A small amount of tenderness can be common when you are first learning to breastfeed, but ongoing pain is worth checking rather than simply pushing through. 

4. Bring your baby to you, not your breast to your baby 

Leaning forward to reach your baby puts unnecessary strain on your back, shoulders, and neck. 

Sit comfortably with your back supported. Use pillows or nursing cushions under your arms to elevate your baby to breast height, then bring them to your chest when their mouth opens wide. 

A few minutes of skin-to-skin contact before feeding helps calm your baby and triggers natural feeding instincts. 

If the latch feels painful, don’t pull your baby off. Gently slide a clean finger into the corner of their mouth to break the suction, then unlatch and try again. You can re-latch as many times as you need. 

If persistent pain or feeding difficulties continue despite adjusting positions, reach out to a lactation consultant or healthcare professional ^[4]. Getting hands-on guidance is a normal part of learning to breastfeed. 

What is your baby actually doing when they are breastfeeding?

Once you understand the basics of getting a good latch, it can help to understand what happens after your baby attaches to the breast. 

Through in-depth observation and research for over 70 years, Pigeon identified the three key factors in baby’s natural sucking motion: latch-on, peristaltic tongue movement and swallowing ^[5]. Think of them as three connected parts of one feed. 

1. Latching-On: the latch itself 

First, your baby opens their mouth and draws the nipple and surrounding breast tissue or areola into their mouth. A deeper attachment gives the tongue and mouth enough breast tissue to work with. 

This is also why a good latch should not feel like your baby is simply sucking on the nipple. 

Community mothers often arrive at the same conclusion through experience. One mother said, “if u get a deep latch by right it shouldn’t hurt.” Another eventually sought help from a lactation consultant “to guide me on how to get a proper deep latch without hurting the nipples.” 

2. Peristaltic Tongue Movement: helping remove milk 

Once attached, your baby’s tongue moves in a wave-like motion from the front towards the back of the mouth. This helps compress the breast tissue and move milk towards the back of the mouth ^[5]. 

When the latch is shallow, your baby may have less breast tissue to work with. This can contribute to an uncomfortable feed and make milk removal less effective. 

3. Swallowing: moving the milk along 

After milk is drawn into the mouth, your baby swallows it while continuing to breathe ^[5]. 

As you become more familiar with breastfeeding, you may notice a rhythm of sucking, swallowing and pauses for breathing. This can be reassuring because it shows that your baby is actively feeding. 

What if breastfeeding still hurts?

You do not have to wait until breastfeeding becomes unbearable before asking for help. 

If your baby repeatedly slips into a shallow latch, your nipples are cracked or bleeding, or feeding remains painful despite repositioning, speak to a lactation consultant or healthcare professional.

They can assess your baby’s latch and feeding technique in person and help identify whether there may be another reason your baby is struggling to attach. 

Most importantly, needing help does not mean you are bad at breastfeeding. You and your baby are both learning a new skill. 

A good latch may take practice, a few attempts and some support. The goal is not to get it perfect every time. It is to find a way of feeding that allows your baby to feed effectively and allows you to breastfeed as comfortably as possible. 

Explore Pigeon’s breastfeeding care essentials for gentle support through your breastfeeding journey. 

References

1. Medela. “6 breastfeeding problems in the first week – solved.” Accessed 21 August 2026. https://www.medela.com/en/breastfeeding-pumping/articles/breastfeeding-challenges/6-breastfeeding-problems-in-the-first-week-solved 

2. Kaur, S., et al. “Effects of prenatal professional breastfeeding education for the family.” Scientific Reports 12 (2022). Accessed 21 August 2026.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8976833/ 

3. Kumar, A., et al. “LATCH Score for the Identification and Correction of Breastfeeding Problems: A Prospective Observational Study.” Cureus (2025). Accessed 21 August 2026.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12919691/ 

4. Cheng, H., et al. “Breastfeeding difficulties in the first 6 weeks postpartum among mothers with chronic conditions: a latent class analysis.” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 23 (2023). Accessed 21 August 2026.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9893695/ 

5. Pigeon Corporation. “The three key factors of the sucking process” / “How to Help Your Baby to Latch On.” Accessed 21 August 2026. https://pigeon.com.my/tips_guides/how-to-help-your-baby-to-latch-on/