During latch-on, the infant's lips form a seal around the nipple and most of the areola near the lower lip. Signs of an effective latch and milk transfer:
- Mother and baby are both completely comfortable.
- Mother feels tugging and pressure but no nipple rubbing, compression, or pain.
- Infant's mouth is open as wide as if yawning.
- More areola is seen near the infant's nose than lower jaw. In other words, the latch is asymmetric with regard to the nipple, with the nipple high in the infant's mouth and much closer to the infant's nose.
- The chin is buried in the breast, and the nose is near but not touching the breast.
- Swallows are audible.
- Breast is lighter/softer after the feeding than before the start of the feeding.
- Infant is content after the feeding: Arms are relaxed, and the infant is no longer rooting.
