Effective Breastfeeding

What an effective feed looks like (Baby side)

Watch your baby during feeds to spot signs of effective sucking. It’s going well if:

They suck in wide, rhythmic motions (jaw and temple visibly moving);
Their cheeks stay full and don’t cave in while feeding;
Their sucking is slow and steady, with regular swallowing;
They gradually relax throughout the feed—often falling asleep at the breast.

Watch this baby feeding effectively:
Take a moment to spot the signs listed above so you can recognize them when feeding your own baby.

If your baby's lips don't look properly flanged (like in the video), it might be worth having a professional check for a possible lip or tongue tie.

What an effective feed feels like (Mom’s side)

Here’s how you know things are going well for you:

You suddenly feel very thirsty during the feed;
You notice tingling and warmth in your breasts;
You feel mild uterine contractions (only in the first days postpartum);
Your other breast starts leaking;
You begin to feel drowsy or deeply relaxed.

After feeding, check your nipples—they should look stretched but not flattened. If they are squashed, it might mean baby is latching onto the nipple only, not enough of the areola.

What if it doesn’t feel right?

Make sure your baby has a deep latch and is taking in most of the areola, not just the nipple.
If not, go ahead and interrupt the feed—no guilt! It’s better to reset than to end up with cracked nipples.

To break the latch, gently slide your clean pinky finger into the corner of baby’s mouth.
Then press lightly on their chin to encourage a wide-open mouth and reposition them properly.

Relax and let it flow

Your baby's sucking triggers oxytocin—a.k.a. the "feel-good hormone"—in your brain, which brings on a lovely sense of calm and even drowsiness. You might feel your whole body start to unwind.
So why not snuggle up in bed with your little one and let yourself drift off too?

Glamformum - Practical Breastfeeding Guide