Table 2 Potential memory aides for attachment

Memory aide 1: CLASP Principles© Lynette Shotton Northumbria University 2023

Chin: The chin will lead and when attached baby’s chin should be firmly touching / indenting the breast.

Large: A large / wide gape allows a mouthful of breast tissue to be taken into baby’s mouth. This can be encouraged by the mother gently rubbing her nipple across the baby’s top lip and ensures as much breast tissue as possible below the nipple is taken into baby’s mouth. This is known as asymmetrical attachment.

Asymmetrical attachment /Areola: It is important as it ensures the nipple reaches far back into the mouth as opposed to hitting the hard palate. If visible more areola will be seen above baby’s top lip (this is not always visible).

Swallowing: Should be seen and heard and baby’s cheeks should be full and rounded.

Pain: Breastfeeding should not be painful.

Memory aide 2: LATCHS Principles© Lynette Shotton Northumbria University 2023

L - Large: A large mouthful of breast tissue should be taken into baby’s mouth with as much breast tissue as possible below the nipple. This can be encouraged by the mother gently rubbing the nipple above the baby’s top lip.

A-Asymmetric attachment / areola: This is important as it ensures the nipple reaches as far back into the mouth as opposed to hitting the hard palate.

T-Top Lip: If visible, more areola will be seen above baby’s top lip (this is not always visible).

C -Chin and Cheeks: The chin will lead and when attached baby’s chin should be firmly touching / indenting the breast and baby’s cheeks should be full and rounded.

H- Hurting: Breastfeeding should not be painful, and nipples should be the same shape at the end of the feed as at the start.

S-Sucking and Swallowing: Baby will take deep rhythmic sucks and swallowing should be heard.