Are you struggling to find the right breastfeeding positions for you and your baby?
Breastfeeding is a lot of work and finding the most comfortable way to nurse our baby can help a long way in the success of our breastfeeding journey.
Latching refers to how your baby attaches to your breast to feed — you can determine the efficiency of your breastfeeding by the way your baby latches on.
Finding a good position for breastfeeding and latching could be very challenging especially if you’re a first-time mother.
The position in breastfeeding and latching can be also crucial. If your baby isn’t properly latched, it can cause you painful feeding.
Here, we discuss some specific breastfeeding positions and latching techniques that are used to help mothers through their breastfeeding journey.
What are the different breastfeeding positions?
When it comes to holding your baby, you can’t really say if it’s right or wrong as long as you are both comfortable.
Soon, you and your baby will find your own preferred latching and breastfeeding position. However, knowing some of the breastfeeding positions can be really helpful for you.
Before feeding your baby, you might want to grab a few things that you will need to entertain you while you are feeding. You also might consider going to the toilet first because you won’t know how long your feeding session will last.
And during the session, you should check if your baby is still latching correctly. If your baby seems to have difficulties in latching, consult your health provider.
Finding a great latching and breastfeeding position can be really challenging at first and there will be a few problems while you’re trying to figure out the right position.
But once you find the position for both of you, things will work a little easier. Always remember that whichever position you choose, you and your baby should be comfortable.
Find out the benefits of responsive feeding and hunger cues for your baby.
Here are some breastfeeding positions you can try:
- Reclined position or laid-back breastfeeding
Reclined position is also known as biological nurturing and the first one that most mothers try. This is when you lay your back and place your baby on your stomach.
This position can tap your baby’s natural reflexes as most babies will instinctively work their way to latch on your breasts, known as the breast crawl.
It doesn’t only work for newborns, it can also work for babies at any age, especially the ones who struggle to latch on. If you had a cesarean delivery, you may recline your baby’s body across your shoulder instead. You may also try side-lying.
How to:
- lay your back on the bed or sofa
- use pillows or anything that makes you comfortable
- place your baby on top of your stomach
- your belly should be touching your baby’s stomach
- your baby’s head should be on your breasts
Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother’s Milk Women’s Tea, Promotes Healthy Lactation
Side-lying nursing position
This position is ideal for night feeds because both you and your baby are relaxed. In this position, you and your baby are lying on your sides, facing each other. This is preferable for those who had a c-section or stitches.
How to:
- lie on your side
- make sure that your back and hips are in line to avoid back pains
- place some pillows that will support your head
- you can use your arm to support your head
- place your baby on your side
- your baby must be facing your breast
- your baby’s mouth must be aligned with your nipple
Not sure if you are producing enough milk for your baby? Read our article on pumping sessions and establishing milk supply.
Cradle holds a nursing position
This is the usual position that we picture whenever we think of breastfeeding. We often see this one on TV commercials and on milk brands.
This is when you sit upright and lay your baby along your forearm with his body against your tummy. However, this isn’t as easy as it seems because sometimes it cannot give your baby enough support.
You might want to put a pillow behind you and then another one across your lap. Make sure your pillow doesn’t lift your shoulder too high, otherwise, you might strain your back or shoulder.
How to:
- place your baby on your arm
- your arm must be supporting your baby’s head up to his neck
- use pillows that will support your arm
- your palm must be touching your baby’s hips or bottom
Cross-cradle hold nursing position
This position is actually the same as the cradle hold and your baby will still lay along your forearm. One thing that makes this position a little different from the cradle hold is that you’re using your other arm instead.
This position helps you support your baby as your arm is placed along his body to his neck, allowing him to tilt his head.
How to:
- place your baby on your other arm
- your arm must be supporting your baby’s head up to his neck
- use pillows that will support your arm
- your palm must be touching your baby’s hips or bottom
HOFISH Women’s Maternity Pregnancy Seamless Breastfeeding Bras No Underwire
Koala hold or Upright breastfeeding
In a koala hold, picture yourself as the bamboo tree and your baby as the koala. Your baby is sitting upright on your lap, facing you, and his or her feet are straddling your hips.
This is preferable for babies who like to be upright.
How to:
- sit down on a couch, bed, or floor
- make sure that something is supporting your back in order to keep it upright
- place your baby on your lap
- your baby should be facing towards you with his feet touching your hips
- your baby’s head should be aligned with your breasts
Rugby ball hold or clutch
In this position, you are sitting and you place your baby to the side where you want him to feed on.
Your arm must be supporting your baby’s head and his body must be tucked along your side. If you had a c-section or you have twins, you might actually like this position.
How to:
- sit down on a chair or couch
- place some cushions that will make you comfortable enough
- place your baby under your arm
- your baby’s hips must be touching your hips
- your palm must be supporting your baby’s head
- use your other palm to guide your baby to your breast
Whether you are a first-time mom or not, find out everything you need to know about the first weeks of nursing your newborn.
Dangle feeding
Dangle feeding is helpful when it comes to blocked ducts, although it isn’t scientifically proven yet.
However, this isn’t as comfortable as the other positions. In dangle feeding, your baby is lying on her back as you are crouching on top of her.
Your arms and knees are the only things supporting your weight so they might feel numb after a couple of minutes.
How to:
- lie your baby flat on the bed, couch, or floor
- crouch on top of your baby
- your arms and legs should be carrying your weight
- your breast must be facing your baby’s head
- make sure that your baby can reach your breasts easily
Lily Miles Baby Diaper Caddy – Large Organizer Tote Bag for Infant Boy or Girl
Nursing in a sling
This breastfeeding technique is ideal if you’re going out or you’re doing some house chores. You can use any sort of slings such as ring slings, stretchy wraps, and front carriers.
However, this technique is only for some babies who are well-experienced in breastfeeding, the ones who wouldn’t need your support. Although nursing in a sling may take a lot of practice, breastfeeding will be much easier for you.
Before feeding your baby, you might want to grab a few things that you will need to entertain you while you are feeding.
You also might consider going to the toilet first because you won’t know how long your feeding session will last. And during the session, you should check if your baby is still latching correctly.
If your baby seems to have difficulties in latching, consult your health provider.
Finding a great latching and breastfeeding position can be really challenging at first and there will be a few problems while you’re trying to figure out the right position.
But once you find the position for both of you, things will work a little easier. Always remember that whichever position you choose, you and your baby should be comfortable.
How to:
- place your baby in a sling
- use your hand to support your baby’s head or when your baby finds it hard to latch
Find out the top nursing accessories you should have on our Recommended list of Nursing Must Haves.
How will I know if I am giving a good latch?
Proper latching is very important. It allows your baby to feed efficiently as he or she is able to draw enough milk from your breast.
Determining a good latch could be confusing sometimes, so here are some signs of a good latch.
- your baby’s chin is touching your breast firmly
- your baby’s lips are similar to fish’s lips
- baby’s mouth is wide open as if he or she is yawning
- your baby’s tongue is lofted over his or her lower gum
Signs of a poor latch are the complete opposite of the good one. When latching isn’t properly done, it causes painful breastfeeding which will be difficult for you.
Breastfeeding your little one can be challenging but you just keep on working on finding what will work for both of you. It’s rewarding once you have found a way to be successful in breastfeeding.
At the end of the day, it’s all worth it because you know you are giving your baby the best nutrition possible.
Do you need the help of a lactation expert? Find out an IBCLC near you. Check here.
UHINOOS Nursing Cover, Infinity Soft Breastfeeding Cotton for Babies with No See Through Cotton for Mother Nursing Apron for Breastfeeding
Stay Informed!
Join Our Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources.