10/19/2025
The basics
Some things babies need to breastfeed...
1. To be calm. If your baby is upset, take the time to soothe them.
2. Good support. Whether you're reclining or sitting upright, your baby will nurse more easily if they feel secure and supported. Hold them so their head, neck, and shoulders are gently supported, and make sure their chest is facing your chest—“tummy to tummy.” Babies who don’t feel stable may flail their arms or struggle to latch.
3. Lower jaw needs room. Your baby's lower jaw needs to be deeply placed on your breast. If you are holding your breast while they are latching, hold your fingers well away from where their chin and lower jaw needs to be.
4. Choose their own timing. Instructions for nursing sometimes say, "Latch your baby when her mouth is open really wide." Mammal mothers rarely need to take that much control over a feeding, and their babies don't expect it. Your baby will probably do best if she picks the moment. Your job is to have your baby well supported, within easy reach of the breast.
5. To be able to tilt their heads back. To nurse, your baby needs to approach the breast chin-first, then stay in close chin contact with the breast, nose lifted free or nearly free from the breast. Tipping their head back a bit helps with swallowing. Line them up nose-to-nipple (not lips-to-nipple) before they open their mouth. As they open their mouth they will tip their head back.
Source: Art of Breastfeeding
