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Newton-Wellesley Hospital

2014 Washington Street

Newton, MA 02462

617-243-6000

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Ambulatory Care Center - Natick

307 W Central St

Natick, MA 01760

617-243-5345

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Ambulatory Care Center - Newton

159 Wells Ave

Newton Centre, MA 02459

617-243-5777

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Ambulatory Care Center - Walpole

111 Norfolk Street

Walpole, MA 02081maps

617-243-5345

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Ambulatory Care Center – Wellesley

978 Worcester Road (rte 9)

Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482

781-235-5200

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Maxwell Blum Emergency Pavilion

2014 Washington Street

Newton, MA 02462

617-243-6000

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Outpatient Surgery Center - Wellesley

25 Washington Street

Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481

617-219-1520

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Waltham Walk-In

9 Hope Ave

Waltham, MA 02453

617-243-5590

Monday through Saturday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Sunday: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Lab Hours and Holiday Hours Vary

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All About Latch-On

  • It is crucial that baby gets a lot of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple) in her/his mouth whenever breastfeeding.
  • Once the baby is in position, line the baby up so that her/his nose is facing your nipple. Try having some expressed colostrum or milk on your nipple for your baby to taste and smell. Your nipple should be in alignment with the baby’s nose. Gently tickle the baby’s lips with your nipple until her/his mouth opens as wide as a yawn.
  • Holding your breast with your thumb above the areola and your other fingers below (not on) the areola, quickly pull your infant close to you so that the nipple is centered toward the back of the baby’s mouth, or slightly raised. Your baby’s mouth should cover most of the areola. It is normal for the tip of the baby’s nose to touch your breast while nursing.
  • There should be no pain associated with breastfeeding. Make sure it feels comfortable.
  • Check to make sure that both of your baby’s lips are flanged out when your baby is nursing. This can be difficult to see and you might need to ask a nurse or your partner to help. If the baby only gets the nipple and not some or all of the areola, the mother will feel nipple pain and can quickly get cuts that take a long time to heal. This will also prevent the baby from getting enough milk.
  • It is very important to teach your baby to open wide for each feeding. All babies need to learn how to breastfeed even though they are born with reflexes that help. At the beginning, you may need to reposition the baby a few times before she/he latches on properly. If the baby is latched well, the sucking should give you a moderate pulling and tugging sensation.
  • Try to resist the temptation to keep the baby on the breast even when it hurts. To remove your baby from the breast, put your finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth between the gums until the suction is broken. Reposition the baby and try again.
  • If you are having trouble, ask for help "early and often." Your nurses and the lactation consultants are happy to assist while you and your baby learn to breastfeed in the hospital.

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