The correct position of attachment to the breast has some well recognisable characteristics:
- the newborn's mouth is wide open and "filled" by the breast (not only the nipple, but also the areola or brown part around the nipple. This is to avoid pain, the formation of fissures and also to ensure a correct flow of milk. If your child doesn’t attach correctly, gently insert your little finger into your baby's mouth, remove him from the breast and reattach him correctly);
- you see more of the areola (the dark area around the nipple) above the upper lip than below the lower lip;
- the nose is free, to allow breathing;
- the chin is in close contact with the breast and the neck slightly backwards;
- the lower lip is turned out (without the child sucking it);
- (although invisible to us as mothers) the tip of the tongue extends beyond the lower gum and the edges of the tongue wraps around the breast forming a "U";
- the rhythm of the suctions varies during the feed; we pass from short and frequent suctions to less frequent suctions with wide and deep movements of the mouth, sometimes interspersed with pauses;
- you know he's drinking because you hear a "glug" swallowing sound;
- the relaxed mother is comfortable and not leaning forward (at about 90° or lying down) [learn more about positions to breastfeed].
