Discover the best breastfeeding positions for comfort and efficiency. Whether you’re a new mom or looking to improve your nursing experience, we cover popular holds like the cradle, football, and side-lying positions, along with tips for latching and reducing discomfort. Empower yourself with knowledge to make breastfeeding a smooth and enjoyable journey for both you and your baby!
Getting ready
As you get ready to breastfeed, consider having pillows handy. They can help take the strain off your back, shoulders, or wrists. Some companies make pillows designed to help position babies during feeding. But regular pillows usually work fine to help position your body, your baby, or your breast.
It can help to have washcloths or burpcloths near where you plan to breastfeed for quick clean-up. Some people like to have a glass of water within reach or even a snack.
Cradle hold
The cradle hold is good for babies of any age. The cradle hold may work best in a chair with armrests.
- Hold your baby in the arm on the same side as the breast the baby will feed from.
- Rest your baby’s head comfortably in the bend of your elbow, facing your breast. It can help to place your arm on the chair’s armrest and have a pillow on your lap to lift the baby so you don’t need to bend forward.
- With the arm that isn’t holding the baby, use your hand to support your breast from the underside in a U-shaped or a C-shaped hold.
- Guide the baby’s mouth to your breast. The baby’s head should be in line with the baby’s body, not turned to the side.
Keep an eye on your baby’s head while you attempt this hold. The head is free to move since you are not holding it. As your child becomes older and more readily distracted, this could become a bigger issue.
Cradle holding is one of the most common ways to breastfeed. If you have your baby in a sling, cradle hold can work well. So this hold may be a good option if you are away from home or in the middle of an activity.
Cross-cradle hold
The cross-cradle hold is a good position for breastfeeding newborns. It allows you to control the baby’s head.
Sitting up straight in a cozy chair with armrests might be made easier using this hold.
- Bring your baby across the front of your body, tummy to tummy.
- Hold your baby with the arm that’s not on the same side as the breast you’re feeding from. This means left arm for right breast, and right arm for left breast.
- Support the back of the baby’s head with your open hand. With the other hand, support your breast from the underside with a U-shaped hold.
- Guide the baby’s mouth to your breast.
Avoid leaning forward or bending over. Cradle your infant at your breast instead. If your infant is struggling to latch (connect to the breast), try this position. It could provide you with the control you require to help the infant develop a healthy latch.
Laid-back position
The laid-back position works well for newborns. It may work best for people with smaller breast size. For the laid-back position you should be reclined but not lying flat. Support your back with something comfortable and lay the baby on your tummy.
- Support your baby’s body and head as the baby lies on your tummy just above your breasts.
- Using their instincts, babies will move and wiggle to find the nipple.
- Support your baby’s head as the baby begins to search for your nipple.
- Once your baby finds the nipple, don’t force the baby to latch. Babies can use gravity to latch onto the nipple without help.
The laid-back position is also good for skin-to-skin contact. And the position can help people who produce more milk than their babies drink or whose milk is released quickly, called a strong let-down.
Side-lying position
A side-lying position might be a good choice when you’re resting, although it’s important to return the baby to the baby’s own bed to sleep.
In this position, it can be hard to see how well your baby is latched. So this position may be best once both you and your baby are used to breastfeeding.
- Lie on your side with pillows to support your back and head.
- Face your baby toward your breast, supporting the baby with one hand.
- With the other hand, grasp your breast and touch your nipple to your baby’s lips.
- Once your baby latches on, use one arm to support your own head and the other to help support the baby and bring the baby close.
You can use a cushion to raise your baby so you can breastfeed with the other breast. As with the first breast, you can also turn on your other side and place the baby on this side.
Football, also called clutch, hold
Another option is the football hold, also called the clutch hold. This position might be a good choice if you’re recovering from a caesarean birth, also called a C-section, or if you are breastfeeding twins. It also can be good for people with large breasts, flat nipples or a strong let-down.
- Hold your baby beside you, with your elbow bent.
- With your open hand, support your baby’s head with the palm of your hand holding the base of the neck. Your baby’s back will rest on your forearm, level with your nipple. It may help to put a pillow under your baby and your arm.
- With your other hand, support your breast with a C-shaped hold.
- Guide the baby’s mouth to your breast.
Babies with little head control benefit greatly from this hold. Additionally, for those who had a caesarean delivery, it keeps the baby’s weight off the healing scar.
Just make sure the baby’s chin isn’t resting on the baby’s chest. There should be room between the baby’s chin and the baby’s chest so it’s easier for the baby to swallow.
Conclusion
Always consult with healthcare professionals for guidance tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Enroll in our free lactation webinar to understand more about the advantages and challenges of breastfeeding.