Breastfeeding assessment

[babyrn65]

I am developing a policy for breastfeeding assessment on a postpartum unit. We are using the LATCH assessment. My question is does anyone work in a unit using the LATCH assessment and how often do you require nurses to document using the LATCH assessment? (ie once a shift, twice a shift, every feeding, etc?) Thanks

[daisybaby, LPN]

Hi- we started using the LATCH scale maybe 6 months ago. Nursing staff is to document LATCH scale by way of direct observation (not by merely asking mom how things went) once a shift, at minimum. We have one LC who works days and occasional weekends, and any documentation she does re: LATCH assessment is done in addition to the primary RN's assessment.

Hope this helps!

[SmilingBluEyes]

We use LATCH and are required to assess this at least once/shift or more often if problems exist.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I'm intrigued; what is LATCH? I've not heard of it.

[GingerSue]

this is from Sally Olds "Maternal-Newborn Nursing and Women's Health Care"

LATCH is a tool for systematic assessment of breastfeeding and charting

L is for Latch 0=too sleepy or reluctant, no latch achieved, 1=repeated attempts, hold nipple in mouth, stimulate to suck, 2= grasps breast, tongue down, lips flanged, rhythmic sucking

A is for Audible swallowing 0=none, 1= a few with stimulation, 2= spontaneous and intermittent 24 hrs old

T is for Type of nipple 0= inverted, 1= flat, 2=everted (after stimulation)

C is for Comfort (breast/nipple) 0= engorged, cracked, bleeding, large blisters or bruises, severe discomfort, 1= filling, reddened/small blisters or bruises, mild/moderate discomfort, 2= soft nontender

H is for Hold (positioning) 0= full assist (staff holds infant at breast),

1= mminimal assist (ie elevate head of bed, place pillows for support), teach one side; mother does other, Staff holds and then mother takes over,

2=no assist from staff, mother able to position/hold infant

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Cool!

We use the same criteria, we just don't call it that & don't give it a number. I like it though.

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

we document LATCH scoring with every feeding.

[mitchsmom]

We do LATCH assessment a minimum of q8hours (it's part of our assessments in our computer charting system). Actually, the screen for bf assessment includes a more detailed section in addition to the LATCH part.

[babyrn65]

Thanks for the information. Do you document on both the baby and mothers chart or one or the other?

[SmilingBluEyes]

we do it on the infant's chart.

[RNmommy]

We document in the infant's chart and assess LATCH at least q shift but also any other time that a feeding is directly observed.