Which sign indicates a good latch and effective breastfeeding?

• A. Audible swallows during feeding.
• B. Latch is tight but causes nipple pain throughout.
• C. Deep latch with minimal pain.
• D. Rapid feeding with no pauses.

Answer: (C)

A good latch is shown by a deep latch with minimal pain. When the baby takes a large portion of the areola into the mouth (not just the nipple), with the chin pressed to the breast and the lips flanged outward, the latch is deep and efficient. This positions the baby's jaw to effectively compress the breast tissue, allowing milk to be drawn from the milk ducts and transferred well, which usually means feeding is comfortable for the wearer. Minimal pain after the initial moment is a practical sign that the technique is correct and the tissue isn’t being irritated.

Audible swallows can occur during feeds and indicate milk transfer, but they don’t by themselves prove the latch is optimal. Conversely, a latch that is painful throughout or feeding that is rapid with no pauses often points to a shallow latch or poor technique, which can lead to nipple damage and less effective milk removal.