This is an excellent video, by the wonderful Dr Jack Newman, showing a classic cross-cradle hold, and a baby latching well. Notice how gentle and respectful of the baby Dr Newman, and the mother, are. Only two interventions happen - one to pull the baby's hand gently out of the camera view - so you can see what's happening, and one very gentle encouraging finger to the chin after latch has happened. No one is telling this baby she doesn't know what to do! :-) No one is 'traffic wardening' the mother, and making her lose confidence. This is good stuff, and if it doesn't match your own 'support' experience, find better support! There a variety of volunteer organisations who will give you this sort of support - do use them! :-) http://www.llli.org/ http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/ This baby is small and quite young. Notice how easily the mother is supporting the baby's shoulders and neck, and managing to keep the length of the baby's body snug and secure across her body. This can be an excellent hold for new mothers, but all that's important is that you and baby are comfortable, and the breastfeeding is working well. As baby gets older, and heavier, Mum and Baby will find different holds that keep them both feeling supported and happy. The important part of this video is what's happening at the mouth/nipple exchange. You hear Dr Newman say to wait for the 'gape' and then you let baby attach. The point is that quite a lot of breast needs to go into the mouth, for milk to transfer. Baby having too shallow a latch is a classic way to have sore nipples. If it's painful - something is wrong! Incidentally that jaw action you see is one reason breastfeeding contributes so much to the overall development of the baby - that jaw action is working on moving the plates in the baby's head back into place from the birth canal squish, and is building excellent muscle tone in the jaw and face, helping build up to good chewing and speaking skills. Steps to attaching your baby. Sit or lie comfortably with your back and feet supported. Have your clothing open as much as possible for the first feeds; it may also help to remove your bra or even your upper clothing. Unwrap your baby and hold him close, with his head and shoulders supported along your forearm. He will be on your forearm with his head supported at the back of his neck. Turn him onto his side with his chest towards you, head tilted slightly back, at the same level as your breast and his nose and mouth level with your nipple. If you are sitting, tuck his feet around your side and his lower arm around your waist. Gently brush your baby's mouth with the underside of your nipple. This will encourage your baby to open his mouth wide. You may find holding your breast similar to a sandwich allows him to take more of your areola in, and makes it easier for him to attach. When your baby opens his mouth wide and his tongue comes forward over his lower gums bring him quickly to the breast with your nipple pointing to the roof of his mouth. His first point of contact will be his lower jaw or chin well down on your areola. As his mouth closes over the breast he should take in a large portion of the areola. If you are engorged, expressing around the areola can soften it, allowing him to attach more easily. To check that baby is attached properly, look for these signs: Chin is touching the breast and nose is clear. Lips are flanged out, not sucked in. Tongue is forward over the lower gum (may be difficult to see at first). Your baby has much of the areola in his mouth, more so on the 'chin side'. There is no serious pain in the nipple (new mums may feel a tingling sensation as the nipple adjusts to being drawn out). You may notice your baby's whole jaw moving as he sucks and even his ears wiggling. He should not be sucking in air or slipping off the breast. If the attachment does not appear to be successful or feeding is painful, take your baby off the breast by inserting a clean little finger in the corner of his mouth to break the suction, then reattach. Sometimes some small adjustment of the baby's position can help, such as ensuring his lower arm is around your waist or his body is in a straight line. Chest to chest and chin to breast is a quick way of describing good positioning. source: http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/attachment.html

Oh baby! Your no-longer-little one is probably up to six pounds—or more by this point! Check out what's happening during the final weeks of your pregnancy.