The Latch Is a Conversation, Not a Correction: What Every Provider Needs to Know

See the Parent, Not Just the Position

Many providers jump directly into “fixing the latch.” But according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the strongest predictors of breastfeeding success is the parent’s perceived support and confidence—not perfection in technique.

A parent who feels judged is less likely to ask questions… and more likely to quit.

Try beginning with:

• “Tell me what feels comfortable and what doesn’t.”

• “What’s been the hardest part about latching so far?”

• “Show me what you’ve been trying—I want to see what’s working for you already.”
  
  

These questions protect dignity, reduce shame, and keep the parent engaged in the learning process.
Because a latch is not just anatomy. It is empowerment.

What Gets Missed When Latch Support Is Mechanical

Rushed, hands-on-without-permission, or technique-only teaching can lead to long-term issues most professionals never see.

Common pitfalls include:

• Focusing on the nipple instead of the baby’s biomechanics

A painful latch is rarely a “nipple problem”—it’s an alignment, angle, or oral function problem. Babies need:

• chin touching the breast

• nose free

• wide gape (140° angle)

• asymmetrical latch with more areola below the nipple
  
  

Miss one of these, and pain is almost guaranteed.

• Ignoring the parent’s positioning and comfort

Research shows that parent comfort and body alignment directly influence milk transfer and feeding duration. If their shoulders are tight, wrists strained, or back unsupported, the latch will collapse within minutes.

• No informed touch

Touching a parent or baby without asking breaks trust—especially for survivors of trauma. Trauma-informed lactation care requires:

• asking for permission

• narrating your actions

• offering alternatives

• encouraging the parent’s hands before yours

• Teaching technique but not troubleshooting

A “good latch” that only works in the clinic is not a good latch.

Parents need:

• pain troubleshooting

• how to break and redo a latch

• how to adjust when nipples are sore

• how to handle fast letdown, fullness, or sleepy babies

Without these, skill doesn’t carry over into real life.

The result?
Parents leave thinking they “did it wrong” when really—they weren’t fully supported.

• Comfort Is a Clinical Outcome

Pain is NOT normal.
Tenderness at first is common, but pinching, burning, stabbing, or bruising are red flags.

A good latch should feel:

• deep

• secure

• tugging, not pinching

• comfortable within 20–30 seconds

A 2022 systematic review found that effective latch support within the first 48–72 hours significantly reduces:

• nipple trauma

• early supplementation

• early cessation of breastfeeding

Your guidance is not just educational—it is protective.

• Turning a Struggle Into a Plan

When a latch isn’t working, the most powerful thing you can say is:

“We’re going to figure this out together.”

Then build a plan that feels doable, not overwhelming. Try:

• “Let’s start by helping baby open wider—here’s a trick…”

• “If this position doesn’t feel good, we can switch to one that supports your body.”

• “Your baby is showing feeding cues—let’s use that moment to help them get a deeper latch.”
  
  

And always include a supportive wrap-up:

• Adjust feeding positions

• Review cues and timing

• Develop a pain-management strategy

• Show how to break and relatch without fear

• Provide realistic next steps, not perfection

A parent who feels seen is a parent who keeps trying.

Your Confidence Starts With Training

Just like the EPDS requires skill to interpret, latch assessment requires more than observation. It takes clinical reasoning, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based technique.

Ask yourself:

• Do I know how to assess a latch by sight AND by symptoms?

• Can I explain latch mechanics in simple, empowering language?

• Am I confident in helping with flat nipples, inverted nipples, or oral tension?

• Do I know when to refer to an IBCLC or oral specialist?

If you hesitated at any point, that’s why we created this guide.

The Latch Guide for Providers

Inside this digital guide, you’ll learn:

• Evidence-based latch fundamentals and biomechanics

• Step-by-step assessment tools

• Trauma-informed approaches to positioning and touch

• Common latch challenges and how to troubleshoot them

• Scripts you can use during visits

• Red flags that require referral

• Visual diagrams that support your teaching

• Parent-friendly explanations for real-world use

This isn’t just a guide, it’s a complete confidence builder for any professional who supports lactating families.