Best Breastfeeding Positions for Comfort and Good Latch
Quick Answer: The "best" breastfeeding position is the one that works for YOU and your baby! Different positions suit different situations - cradle hold for everyday feeding, football hold after C-section, side-lying for night feeds, and laid-back for newborns. The key is that both you and baby are comfortable, baby has a deep latch, and you're not straining your back, neck, or arms. Try different positions until you find what feels right!
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Before You Begin: Getting Ready
Watch: Football Hold Breastfeeding: Best Position for Twins & Large Breasts | Latching Tips #breastfeeding
Essential Setup
What to have nearby:
Pillows (regular pillows work fine!)
Water bottle (you'll get thirsty)
Burp cloth or muslin
Comfortable seating
Phone/remote if needed
Body positioning basics:
Sit or recline comfortably
Support your back
Bring baby TO breast (don't lean forward)
Baby's ear, shoulder, and hip in a line
Baby's tummy facing your tummy
Tip for new mothers: You don't need expensive nursing pillows. Regular pillows or folded blankets work perfectly to support your arms and baby!
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The 5 Best Breastfeeding Positions
1. Cradle Hold (Godi Mein)
Best for: Everyday feeding, babies of any age, feeding in public
Step-by-step:
Sit comfortably in a chair with armrests (if available)
Hold baby in the arm on the SAME side as the breast you're feeding from
Right arm for right breast
Left arm for left breast
Rest baby's head in the crook of your elbow
Baby's body faces yours (tummy to tummy)
Support your breast with the opposite hand in a C or U shape
Guide baby's mouth to nipple
Use a pillow on your lap to raise baby if needed
Tips:
Don't lean forward - bring baby UP to your breast
Baby's head should be in line with body, not turned
Rest your arm on a pillow or armrest
Works well with a baby carrier/sling
Why mothers love it:
Most natural-feeling position
Can feed almost anywhere
Good for older babies who latch easily
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2. Cross-Cradle Hold
Best for: Newborns, babies learning to latch, mothers who want more control
Step-by-step:
Sit upright with back support
Hold baby with the arm OPPOSITE to the breast you're feeding from
Right arm for LEFT breast
Left arm for RIGHT breast
Support baby's head with your open hand at the base of skull
Baby's body rests on your forearm, across your tummy
Use your free hand to support breast in U-shape
Guide baby to latch
Tips:
Gives you excellent control of baby's head
Great for teaching a good latch
Don't press on back of baby's head - support the neck/base of skull
Once latched, you can switch to cradle hold if more comfortable
Why mothers love it:
Best control for new babies
Can see the latch clearly
Helpful for babies struggling to latch
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3. Football (Clutch) Hold
Best for: After C-section, large breasts, flat nipples, twins, strong let-down
Step-by-step:
Sit comfortably with a pillow at your side
Place baby under your arm like a football/clutch bag
Baby's legs go behind you, along your side
Support baby's head with your palm, neck on your forearm
Baby should be level with your nipple
Use other hand to support breast in C-shape
Guide baby to latch
Tips:
Keeps baby's weight off C-section incision
Baby's chin points up, nose is clear
Use firm pillow to raise baby to nipple level
Great visibility of latch
Why mothers love it:
No pressure on tummy (perfect post-C-section)
Easy to control baby's head
Both breasts accessible when feeding twins
Good for babies who struggle with flow
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4. Side-Lying Position (Karwat Mein)
Best for: Night feeds, resting while feeding, after C-section, sore perineum
Step-by-step:
Lie on your side with pillow under your head
Keep back straight (pillow behind back helps)
Baby lies on their side facing you
Baby's mouth should be level with your nipple
Support baby with one hand on their back
Use other hand to guide breast to baby
Once latched, you can rest your head
Tips:
Keep baby on their side, not back
Baby's nose should be level with your nipple
Roll baby back into their own sleep space after feeding
Use lower breast first, then either roll over or prop up to use top breast
Why mothers love it:
Can rest while feeding
Perfect for exhausted new mothers
No pressure on perineum or C-section wound
Great for night feeds
Safety note: Always return baby to their own safe sleep space after feeding. Don't fall asleep with baby in your bed.
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5. Laid-Back (Biological Nurturing) Position
Best for: Newborns (first weeks), skin-to-skin, strong let-down, small breasts
Step-by-step:
Recline comfortably (45-60 degrees) - not flat
Support your back and head with pillows
Place baby tummy-down on your chest
Baby's head should be above your breast
Let baby use natural instincts to find nipple
Baby will wiggle, bob, and "crawl" to breast
Support baby's body, let gravity help the latch
Tips:
Don't force baby - let instincts guide them
Gravity helps baby self-attach
Great for skin-to-skin contact
Slows down milk flow for babies who choke/splutter
Why mothers love it:
Very natural and relaxed
Baby uses inborn feeding reflexes
Excellent for bonding
Helpful when supply is very strong
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Which Position for Which Situation?
Situation
Best Position
**Newborn learning to latch**
Cross-cradle or Laid-back
**After C-section**
Football hold or Side-lying
**Night feeds**
Side-lying
**Sore nipples**
Change position each feed
**Fast let-down/choking baby**
Laid-back
**Large breasts**
Football hold
**Flat or inverted nipples**
Football or Cross-cradle
**Twins**
Football hold (both sides) or tandem
**Feeding in public**
Cradle hold
**Sleepy baby**
Laid-back (skin-to-skin)
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Signs of a Good Latch (Any Position)
Good Latch
Poor Latch
Mouth wide open
Pursed lips
Lips flanged outward
Lips tucked in
More areola visible above nipple than below
Equal or more below
Chin touches breast
Chin away from breast
Cheeks rounded
Cheeks sucked in
You hear swallowing
Clicking sounds
Comfortable (after first few seconds)
Painful throughout
Nipple looks normal after
Nipple squashed/misshapen
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake
Why It's a Problem
What to Do Instead
Leaning forward to baby
Back pain, poor latch
Bring baby UP to breast
Baby's head turned
Difficulty swallowing
Head in line with body
Holding back of head
Baby fights the breast
Support neck/base of skull
Forcing baby to latch
Breast refusal
Let baby come to breast
Same position every feed
Sore spots, blocked ducts
Rotate positions
No back support
Strain and pain
Use pillows/chair back
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which position is best for a new baby?
A: Cross-cradle or laid-back positions give you the most control and visibility for newborns. Once baby is latching well, you can try other positions.
Q: I had a C-section. Which position won't hurt?
A: Football hold is ideal - baby's weight never touches your incision. Side-lying also works well for rest.
Q: My baby keeps falling asleep while feeding. What position helps?
A: Laid-back with skin-to-skin keeps baby more alert. You can also try feeding with baby in only a diaper for more skin contact.
Q: Can I switch positions during a feed?
A: Yes! If one position isn't working, gently break the latch and try another. Some mothers start in cross-cradle then switch to cradle once latched.
Q: My back hurts after feeding. What am I doing wrong?
A: You're probably leaning forward. Sit back fully, use pillows to bring baby up, and let baby come to breast - not breast to baby.
Q: How do I know if baby is in the right position?
A: Baby's ear, shoulder, and hip should be in a straight line. Tummy faces your tummy. You shouldn't feel strain, and baby should be latching without pain.
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Key Takeaways
No single "best" position - The best one is what works for you and baby
Tummy to tummy - Baby should always face you
Bring baby to breast - Don't lean forward
Support yourself - Use pillows, get comfortable
Change positions - Prevents sore spots and blocked ducts
Good latch matters more - Any position works with proper latch
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This article was reviewed by pediatricians and lactation consultants at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
Struggling with breastfeeding positions? Book a lactation consultation on Babynama - our experts can guide you to the perfect position!
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