LATCH Score for Breastfeeding Assessment

Aka: LATCH Score for Breastfeeding Assessment

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II. Criteria: LATCH acronym

  1. Latch
    1. Score 0 points: No Latch
    2. Score 1 points: Repeated attempts; mother holds nipple in infant's mouth and must stimulate infant to suck
    3. Score 2 points: Infant grasps Breast, Tongue down, lips curled back, rhythmic sucking
  2. Audible Swallowing
    1. Score 0 points: None
    2. Score 1 points: A few with infant stimulation
    3. Score 2 points: Spontaneous, intermittent on first day of life, then frequent
  3. Type of Nipple
    1. Score 0 points: Inverted Nipple
    2. Score 1 points: Flat Nipple
    3. Score 2 points: Everted Nipple (after stimulation)
  4. Comfort of mother
    1. Score 0 points: Breasts engorged, cracked, bleeding; large Blisters or Bruising; severe discomfort
    2. Score 1 points: Breasts are filled with milk; red or small Blisters/Bruising; mild to moderate discomfort
    3. Score 2 points: Breasts are soft and non-tender
  5. Help Required
    1. Score 0 points: Full assistance, with support person holding infant at Breast
    2. Score 1 points: Minimal assistance (support person adjusts bed, initially holds infant and mother takes over)
    3. Score 2 points: No assistance needed from support person, with mother positioning and holding infant

III. Interpretation

  1. Consider additional evaluation and possible lactation Consultation for LATCH Score <7

IV. References

  1. Jensen (1994) J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 23(1): 27-32 [PubMed]

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