Newborn babies have a certain way of finding the breast and start sucking. This can be described as a process consisting of different phases, and in this article we go through some early and late breastfeeding signals.

Try to be sensitive to your baby’s early breastfeeding signals and take the opportunity to offer them your breast at that point. If your baby gets frustrated and shows late breastfeeding signals, the solution may be to try to calm your baby first before offering them your breast. Your baby may simply be too upset to want to take your breast.

Here, we list examples of both early and late breastfeeding signals, and the level of patience can of course vary from child to child.

Early Breastfeeding Signs:

• Extends the tongue
• Licking the lips
• Opening their mouth
• Smacking their lips
• Bring their hand to their mouth
• Sucking on their hand
• Searching for your chest, poking around (called rooting)

Late Breastfeeding Signs:

• Screaming
• Crying
• Grimacing
• Acting frustrated

Tips for successful breastfeeding:

• Breastfeed in a calming and relaxed environment
• Be sensitive to your baby’s early signals of when they want to breastfeed (see below)
• Have realistic expectations of breastfeeding, it takes time but it usually DOES get easier, persevere!
• Sleep when the baby sleeps and get help from people around you for other chores
• Have food and drink readily available nearby – breastfeeding requires energy!
• Lower the demands on yourself, breastfeeding is a full-time job
• If possible, try to stretch the thoracic spine and shoulders regularly – an investment to avoid stiffness and sore muscles due to one-sided breastfeeding positions