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Attachment or latching on



Starting to breastfeed

Successful breastfeeding depends on correct attachment and positioning. Getting them right will prevent pain, frustration and physical problems.

Attachment – also known as latching on

If you wish, you can support your breast from below, using the flat of your hand. Be gentle as pressing and squeezing the delicate breast tissue might cause bruising or a blocked milk duct.

To help encourage your baby to root (look for the breast), try touching his/her lips with your nipple. Wait for your baby to open his/her mouth wide, like she/he is yawning, so she/he can take in your nipple and plenty of breast tissue.

Initially, your nipple needs to point at your baby’s nose - if you try to put your nipple in your baby’s mouth, they won’t get enough breast tissue to ensure an effective feed and you will get sore nipples.

Be patient and positive, it might take several attempts to get the correct attachment. If your baby doesn’t take enough breast tissue alongside your nipple, slip a clean finger into the corner of his/her mouth, between the teeth (if you are feeding an older baby), and let the nipple come out. Pulling your baby from the breast without breaking the suction may cause sore nipples.

Signs of incorrect attachment include sucked-in cheeks, making clicking noises (your baby is sucking air) and painful feeds for you. If your baby is not correctly attached, they won’t feed efficiently, which affects weight gain.



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An Aptaclub initiative to support & encourage breastfeeding in Ireland

Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe, research has shown that one of the reasons cited by mothers for this is lack of support. That is why we created a website to support breastfeeding and help mums with their nursing for as long as they wish. For over 50 years we have been committed to learning from the natural benefits of breast milk with an ongoing programme of research that now involves over 250 scientists, paediatricians and nutritionists. Although our nutrition products include infant products, we have always stressed, both in our literature and advertising, that breast milk is the perfect food for babies. It is because of this we strongly believe that www.mumslikeus.ie, a comprehensive website to support other national breastfeeding initiatives means we can work together to provide the support to mothers during this challenging and exciting time in order to improve and sustain breastfeeding rates in Ireland the long term. This is in line with the Aptaclub mission to make a difference to the long term health of babies in Ireland..

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An Aptaclub initiative to support & encourage breastfeeding in Ireland