GAMES!

Pin the Latch on the Boobie!

The goal of this game is pretend to be nursing pairs, with babe trying to latch with the help of the nursing parent. It helps to teach the signs of a good latch and helps people to understand the "mechanics" of a good latch. Breasts for Latching are created by making "water balloons" out of condoms (the reservoir tip makes a pretty accurate nipple) and balloons (which are much like some flatter nipples) or a combination of the two, to create larger breasts, with the balloon filled with water inside the condom. 

What you need:

• an assortment of condoms and or balloons filled with water (use differingif you can get an assortment of brands, you will get an assortment of breast and nipple shapes to best resemble the diversity of the nursing world)
• A piece of peg board to hang the breasts from. (you can decorate this as part of the event with paint, coloured paper or pictures of breastfeeding pairs)
• Brightly coloured Lipstick (to mark the latches on the breasts)

How to Play!

• Hang the water filled breasts on the peg board by pulling the tied end through a hole in the board and secure by tying around a pencil (or  other elongated object) on the back of the board, to keep it from slipping through. 
• The goal is to get a latch worth the most number of points.
• Get in teams of two, one to be the nursing parent and one to be the nursing babe.
• “Nurser” stands behind the board and uses her hands draped over the board to help the “babe” latch.
• “Babe” puts on lipstick to mark the breast so the judges can better assess the latch.
• Each breastfeeding team works together to latch the baby and get the most points based on the scoring Below.
• Let it get hilarious, and remember that early breastfeeding may be a bit awkward and funny feeling at first too!

1 point each for:

*Flanged lips "like a duck"

*Asymmetrical (the nipple is at the centre-top of the latching lips, not right in the center of the mouth)

*Lots of breast tissue latched (babe takes as much breast tissue into mouth as possibe, not just nipple)

*tongue dropped and forward in the mouth. (easier to see with transparent breasts)

*sniffing position (nose clear of breast while the chin is nestled into the breast)

*parent shapes the breast to help the babe achieve a good latch. 

(Add pictures)

If possible choose a person experienced at nursing a baby to evaluate the latches. another good source of good latch information is available from Dr Jack Newman at www.breastfeedinginc.com

If you have access to a local La Leche League you could even see if they have a breastfeeding mentor who is able to attend your event and make a brief presentation, and then help evaluate the latches and offer suggestions!

Some latch videos from Jack Newman are below to help you get the hang(latch) of it!