Signs of an effective attachment (2024)

How to tell if your baby is attached:

• you are comfortable
• baby looks comfortable, relaxed and not tense, frowning or wriggling
• baby’s mouth is open wide against the breast with nipple and breast in mouth
• baby’s chin is touching the breast
• cheeks not sucked in
• baby has deep jaw movement with drinking
• swallowing can be seen and possibly heard once the milk “lets down”
• after feeding, nipples may appear slightly longer but are not flattened, white or pinched.

Video: Raising Children Network – Breastfeeding: getting a good attachment

How to tell if your baby is not attached

Your baby is not attached if:

• baby’s mouth is not open wide
• baby’s lips are curled inwards
• baby has only the nipple or a small amount of breast in the mouth
• you hear a clicking sound when baby is sucking
• you do not hear or see swallowing
• you feel pain when breastfeeding.

Breaking the attachment

Avoid pulling your baby away from your breast. Instead, break the attachment by inserting your little finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth, between the gums, and gently remove your baby from the breast.