What is suckling?

During breastfeeding, baby latches on to the breast with a wide open mouth covering both the nipple and approximately 1 - 1 1/2 inches of the areola. This allows the correct positioning of the tip of the nipple in the back of the baby's mouth on the soft palate, just past the ridge of the hard palate. This elicits the natural swallowing process. The tongue is then brought forward over the lower gum to facilitate the suckling action on the breast. The movement is a long, slow, continuous motion. Correct positioning of the baby on the breast as described will help you breastfeed successfully.