Breastfeeding for the first time can feel a little tricky, and it can take a while for your baby to get the right grip on your breast. Here are some tips along the way.

During the early days with a newborn baby who has to be breastfed several times a day, many emotions may creep in. It can feel dizzying, to say the least. A good thing to remember is that the more relaxed you are, the better your breastfeeding will be. It takes time to understand your baby and when they want to be fed, don’t blame yourself if it feels tough.

Breastfeeding tip

Try to offer your breast when the baby opens its mouth, and then bring your baby to your breast and not the other way around. Breastfeeding is more than just food for your baby, it is also security and closeness.

The nipple must be deep into the child’s palate so that a vacuum can be formed, which contributes to effective breastfeeding. If your baby is gripping your nipple too tightly, you can use a clean hand to relieve the suction by inserting a finger into your baby’s mouth, releasing the vacuum and letting your baby loosen their grip on your breast. Then try again!

You can help shape your breast with a so-called hamburger latch method. For this, you grasp your breast as if you were holding it in a hamburger, i.e. squeeze your breast a gently just around your nipple. Wait for the baby to open their mouth and then offer your breast using the hamburger latch. In this way, the child gets most of the nipple and areola for an optimal grip. Another tip is that babies like to drink just like we drink from a glass: from the top and not from the bottom.

If the baby grabs the nipple too tightly, it often looks uneven after breastfeeding. It can often take time before breastfeeding feels good, and before then you may get sores on your nipples, or you may experience a pain that does not go away when the baby starts to suck. But breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, except possibly right at the start.

Don’t hesitate to get help from your children’s health centre, breastfeeding clinic, breastfeeding helpline or midwifery clinic if you need support or advice about breastfeeding. You’re not alone!