These 10 breastfeeding positions to master will determine the path of your breastfeeding journey. Master these skills and you will be a pro.
If this is your first baby, I’m sure you’re wondering what the “breastfeeding positions” hype is all about. I mean really, what is the big deal about a specific position to hold and feed your baby at the breast? Don’t you just put the kiddo there and he naturally knows what to do? On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned successful nursing mom, you get it. You remember how integral the correct placement of hands could calm baby quickly and bring you comfortable tugging, not pinching. If you’re not new to breastfeeding but didn’t have an easy go of it, maybe this blog is the perfect fit for you. Either way, having a few reminders and pictures to refer to, can only aid in your expedition.
The goal is to pass nutrients from your breast to the baby’s mouth with the least amount of discomfort and the most gain. Properly positioning the little one when feeding can alleviate a lot of the issues you hear about. Let’s look at the most common ways and explore a few other techniques that help during complications.
Breastfeeding Positions to Master
Cross Cradle: For the newborn, this and “football” are the go-to holds. Although don’t rule out the older baby- especially when sick, preemie, neurologically impaired or other anomalies. The more control you have to start the process of feeding, the easier your baby will obtain a comfortable latch. Primarily you would hold your breast with one hand and the baby’s head with the other for optimal results. While supporting baby with-say, the right arm you would cross your body to the left breast. The key to making this work is that you are bringing the baby to the breast, not your breast to the baby.
Football or Clutch: As mentioned above, in the beginning, head management and breast support is the way to a foolproof, comfortable start. Imagine holding a football clutched under your arm and running down the field to the goal. You’ll need to keep the football safe and properly supported to reach your desired target. Same with a baby- without the running! Always HOLD your baby, don’t let baby lay on a surface- even the ones “made for breastfeeding,” like a boppy! When using your right hand, you’ll support the baby’s head and the left hand will support the right breast. Carefully and patiently you’ll use both hands to guide the baby to the right breast.
Cradle: Most widely used position for the baby with head control and an experienced mom. In those first weeks, this position may cause nipple pain, slow weight gain and a lot of frustration. While it is a common, natural placement in the arms of a mother-or anyone for that matter-this hold has the tendency to make baby “search” for the nipple and take longer to get a quality feeding underway. Since the baby will have his head in the crook of the elbow and mom will need to lift her arm with 8ish pounds of a squiggly worm, it’s difficult to get the perfect latch. When the baby is in the left arm, he would go to left breast. With stronger neck muscles in the future weeks, cradle hold will be easy to accomplish.
Side-Lying: For sure, the most comfortable way for an exhausted mother to nurse her young child. Let’s face it, Parenting is EXHAUSTING, and we need all the help we can get to keep going. Any chance you can assume a restful, feeding position- take it. There is nothing wrong with feeding this way any time of day or night. Having your body fully supported by setting pillows around you and between your knees, will give a higher likelihood of comfort and success. The first few attempts will go smoother if a helper can position the baby at the breast once you’re settled. Don’t worry about baby’s comfort, they are easily adaptable. You would get in your usual side-lying position with a pillow under your head, position yourself so that the bottom breast is accessible to baby and adjust your back so that it is supported. The helper puts baby on his side next to exposed breast with nose to nipple and mom wraps an arm around his back or puts a wedge there to keep him in this area. A few variations would be to invert or to cradle baby before laying down. Be patient and relax. Let the endorphins flow.
Laid Back: Maybe you’ve heard this one referred to as “biological nurturing”? Either way, it’s the same concept, LAY BACK in a recliner of some sort. Not flat on your back. Allow you and baby to home in on your natural intuition in a relaxed, supportive chair or bed. If you sit semi-reclined with enough backing to your body and put the baby’s front side to your front side with the baby’s cheek somewhere near the bare breast, feeding will take place. You can support or guide him, hold or not hold breast and just watch your little one take the lead. It is essential that gravity is on your side and you have the option to let go if you choose to.
More Complicated Positions to Master
Hands and Knees or Dangling: Yes, I do mean laying baby on his back while you hang your breast over him and let him latch. This is a great option for an engorged breast, plugged duct, mastitis, sick baby, etc. When breasts or babies are congested this odd position can help alleviate the issue. It’s a good idea to have a helper to make you more comfortable with props once you get started. This is a short-term situation not meant for everyday use.
Upright or Koala: Sounds awkward but it can be very effective for babies with reflux, ear infections, tongue tie, low muscle tone, fast milk ejection, oversupply, etc. Basically, you would straddle the baby’s legs over your thigh or hip while holding his head upright as he feeds. Even a newborn can be proficient if given enough support. It’s discreet in public too.
Dancer Hand: Excellent hold for babies with latch issues or low muscle tone. Consider Down syndrome, preemie, sick or disabled baby. Use your hand to cup the baby’s jaw as if you would while burping on your lap- thumb on one side and four fingers on the other. Leave enough hand room to plop your breast in it. Essentially holding baby’s chin and your breast together at the same time in a “U” shape. Adjust your fingers to milk your breast as needed but keep your thumb and forefinger on baby’s jaw throughout the feed.
Twins: This one is best served with a supportive partner, at least in the beginning. Having help with multiples is the key to staving off an unhappy, fretful mom. Anything you can do with one baby is possible with two, thankfully we have two hands to help. Imagine football hold times two. Feeding in tandem can free up your time by getting the kiddos to eat in sync. You can use any of the above positions for twins, but keep in mind that an extra pair of hands to be successful will give you the confidence to continue. It will feel overwhelming at first, but you’ll quickly become a pro. Be patient with yourself and the little guys.
In Sling or Wrap: Feeding in a carrier of sorts will help keep you in motion. Once you are comfortable carrying baby in this fabric, you’ll quickly want to optimize your time with feeding and multitasking. It’s best to learn about each individual wrap or sling by following a tutorial and watching others with the same one as you.
Rules to Perfect the Latch in any Position
- Get comfortable before starting. Including any props, water, snacks, remote, book, phone, etc.
- Always turn baby in a tummy to tummy position.
- His head, neck, and spine should be aligned.
- Point his nose toward nipple.
- Tickle upper lip area with nipple when waiting for a wide enough mouth.
- The neck should be elongated, chin in deeper to the breast.
- More areola is seen on top, then on bottom- asymmetrical latch.
- Support baby’s head low behind the ears, the bony section.
- Support breast in a sandwich shape to gain a deeper latch-in first week. This means your hands will gently shape the breast to the same shape of his mouth. Think of how you hold a burger or hoagie.
- Hold the baby’s upper body and bring him to the breast. NOT breast to the baby.
- Wait for a wide, open mouth (like a yawn) before bringing him to your breast.
- Baby will have a quick sucking action to start the flow. Once started you should see and hear swallowing. It sounds like a puff of air or a sigh.
- Jaw, temple, and ear will wiggle.
- Look for flared lips and tongue cupping the breast underneath.
- Tender to start a feed is common, but pain is not. Retry if you are uncomfortable!
Reach out for help if you are experiencing painful breastfeeding, and position changes aren’t helping. Read this to help determine the cause of pain and this to alleviate discomfort.
The 10 breastfeeding positions to master, will not be done overnight. Breastfeeding in the early weeks is not the same as an older baby. Before you know it, the baby will be doing acrobatics during the feeds. What may appear intricate now will be second nature very soon. A calm demeanor with a touch of humor will help keep things in perspective.
Happy Parenting!
