Effective Sucking
What is effective sucking?
During effective sucking (nutritive sucking), your baby's mouth compresses the milk
ducts in your breast. When your baby is "latched on" the correct way, both lips should
cover nearly all of your areola. This creates a vacuum to move milk to the back of
the baby's throat to swallow. At first, your baby may seem to suck in quick bursts
to trigger milk let-down. Once let-down happens, your baby should suck at the rate
of about one suck a second. The baby pauses only to take a breath with every few sucks.
-
Listen for swallowing. You should hear a "huh-ah" or soft "k" sound deep in the baby's throat as they suck.
Some babies have low pitched swallow sounds while others gulp loudly. You should not
hear a clicking or smacking sound.
-
Watch your baby's jaw. You should see rhythmic movement in the muscle that runs from the lower jaw to the
ear when your baby is sucking deeply. You should also notice rhythmic movement that
begins at the edge of the baby's chin. This travels down their throat as your baby
sucks and swallows. You should not see deep dimpling in your baby's cheeks.
Let your baby direct the feedings. Your baby will detach from your breast when satisfied.
This may be about 15 to 20 minutes at each breast. Try to have your baby nurse from
both breasts at each feeding.
Talk with your baby's healthcare provider or a certified lactation consultant if your
baby: