Latches and Positioning

One of the biggest challenges for breastfeeding mamas in the beginning is getting the right latch -- how to teach baby to latch correctly and even how to get your baby to unlatch. Whether you're looking for new breastfeeding positions to try or just want latching pointers, our experts cover it all right here.

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Q&A: Painful latching?

I just started nursing, and it hurts so badly when my baby latches on. Is this normal? Will it hurt...

Q&A: Better latching techniques?

I think my baby sucks on just my nipple -- not my areola. How can I get him to take more of my breast...

Latches & Positioning: Everything you need to know

As many new mommies know, one of the most difficult parts of preparing to breastfeed is learning how to get your baby to latch and perfecting the breastfeeding positions. Here at Breastfeeding.com, we've got tons of info on both those tough topics and more. Breastfeeding starts, of course, with the latch. We'll tell you all about how to teach breastfeeding latching to baby and how to get used to it yourself. (Unfortunately, it can feel kind of funky and even painful at first.) If baby's breastfeeding latch is off kilter for some reason, we'll help you deal with that issue. And then, of course, there's learning how to get your baby to unlatch. We'll teach you that, as well. In this section you'll also learn about the best breastfeeding positions and how to switch up positions when one seems to be getting a bit tired. Want to use a nursing pillow? We'll show you how they work, walk you through the entire process of using one yourself, and help you figure out if it's the right technique for you and baby. Sometimes, babies can get overly excited about nursing. While it's great that baby is such a milk lover, it's not always the most comfortable situation for you, and we'll teach you how to deal with it. We'll also help you out if you have multiples and talk about all different techniques for nursing twins (or more!). If you still need extra assistance, we'll help you find a great lactation consultant in your area. Good luck!

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