Once breastfeeding is well established, baby will latch and transfer milk well in any position. He will likely do it all on his own, too! While you’re first establishing breastfeeding though, obtaining a deep latch is important. Baby may need your help. At the beginning, you will be able to obtain a deeper latch in some positions over others. Let’s help you discover the proper breastfeeding positions for different scenarios.
Guideline checklist for all proper breastfeeding positions
The following tips apply to every breastfeeding position we’ll discuss. This is a useful checklist for Mom or especially the support person who is with her when she’s latching. Sometimes Mom really wants baby to latch quickly so they can go back to sleep or baby will stop fussing. It can be too much for mom to think about these proper breastfeeding position tips. Someone else who can observe and give suggestions is a huge help!
- Mom is comfortable, her back is well supported, she isn’t hunched over
- Mom and baby are skin to skin if possible
- Baby’s ears, shoulders, and hips are lined up (baby’s head is straight, not turned)
- Baby feels well supported (this may mean Mom’s hand is firmly on his back or bottom)
- Before latching, baby is positioned “nipple to nose”. You may need to scoot him down toward his toes to get him nipple to nose. See why that’s helpful with latching.
- If Mom is going to shape her breast, her fingers should be at baby’s nose and chin (not at baby’s cheeks)
1. Laid Back Breastfeeding
Laid back breastfeeding, also called biological nurturing, is how you will most likely latch baby the first time. More about that first feeding, here. This is a great position to continue. Though mom has a little less control here than cross-cradle or football hold, baby is able to do more. If mama gets stressed, turn the lights down, recline her position, and watch everyone calm. This is also a good position if baby is struggling to handle Mom’s large or fast milk supply.
- Guideline checklist for all breastfeeding positions
- Mom is reclined. She may be in bed with pillows, in a chair that reclines, on a couch with pillows.
- Baby’s feet are lower than his head.
- Baby’s stomach is against mom’s stomach.
- Baby is able to obtain a deeper latch on his own in this position because gravity helps him.
- It may take a bit longer to latch as baby bops his head and familiarizes himself with the breast. That’s okay – be patient!
- Mom has the option to support or compress her breast to help baby latch faster or deeper.
Here is another example of laid back breastfeeding where the mother is more reclined.
2. Side-lying Breastfeeding
Side-lying is a great position if Mom is tired or at risk of falling asleep. Which, let’s be honest, is all the time. She went through labor, delivered a baby, and has now been feeding this baby around the clock. Plus, breastfeeding releases oxytocin which makes her sleepy. So, she is always at risk of falling asleep. Side-lying is the safest position because if Mom falls asleep, her arms are not holding baby. Neither of them are likely to move. To make this position safest, it should be done on a firm mattress without large, fluffy blankets. For more information on safe sleeping I highly recommend Professor James McKenna of The Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab. He shares how mothers are hardwired to protect their babies while they are asleep,
Just like with Dr. Thomas Hale and the impact of medications on breastfeeding, we don’t have to be unsure, scared, or guess. There are people doing research on these things. Their findings and how the human body functions are amazing! Your body was made to do this.
How to breastfeeding side-lying
- Guideline checklist for all breastfeeding positions
- Mom is laying on her side, on a flat, firm surface, like a bed, with a pillow under her head.
- Baby is laying on his side, stomach to stomach with Mom.
- Mom really only has one arm she can use in this position. (She’s probably laying on the other.) Mom’s top arm can either shape her breast or be behind baby’s back
- A pillow behind Mom’s back can provide her great support.
- This is a great position to try if baby is angry! Babies will often calm down in this position. Make sure to decrease the stimulation in the room, also, by dimming the lights and decreasing noise.
- This is a little bit harder of a latch but well worth getting the hang of.
- Even if she remains awake, Mom often feels more rested after nursing in this position.
3. Football Hold
Football hold is the hold where Mom can see and evaluate the latch best. It is useful after c-sections because baby isn’t laying on Mom’s stomach. She has a lot of control over how and when baby latches in this breastfeeding position.
- Guidelines checklist for breastfeeding positions
- Mom is sitting up or slightly reclined.
- Baby is laying to Mom’s side. He may be horizontal or his legs may be lower than his head.
- To help baby start “nose to nipple”, tuck his legs up in front of his belly. His buns go to the back of the chair or bed Mom is sitting on.
- Mom’s hand will be at the base of baby’s head and her arm will support down baby’s back and bottom.
- Try holding baby in your dominant hand and holding your breast in your nondominant hand.
- If you hold and compress your breast, be sure your fingers and thumb are far back on the breast. Your fingers and thumb line up with where baby’s nose and chin will land. Your fingers and thumb do not line up with baby’s cheeks.
- When baby opens up wide, quickly move him close.
- After baby is latched, add pillow supports where needed so your arms don’t get tired or sore.
4. Cross Cradle
Like football hold, in cross cradle, Mom has a lot of control over when and how baby latches. This makes it an ideal position if baby needs help latching deeply. Your hand positioning is actually the same as football hold, you just move your arm across to the other breast.
- Guidelines checklist for all breastfeeding positions.
- Mom is sitting upright (after baby latches she can recline more if desired).
- Baby is laying horizontal, across Mom’s chest.
- Position baby nose to nipple. You may need to move baby toward their toes if their head is too high.
- Mom’s hand lies at the base of baby’s head. She supports his head by holding his cheek on the bottom side. Her arm will provide support down baby’s back and bottom.
- Try holding baby in your dominant hand and holding your breast in your nondominant hand
- If you hold and compress your breast, be sure your fingers and thumb are far back on the breast. Your fingers and thumb line up with where baby’s nose and chin will land. Your fingers and thumb do not line up with baby’s cheeks.
- When baby opens up wide, quickly move him close.
- After baby is latched add pillow supports where needed so your arms don’t get tired or sore.
5. Cradle Breastfeeding Position
You will probably use the cradle position most of the time after breastfeeding is well established. It’s similar to how we typically hold babies. Until baby can do it on his own, it can be difficult to obtain a deep latch in this position. If you’re struggling to obtain deep latches or having pain with latching, I do not recommend this position yet.
- Guidelines checklist for all breastfeeding positions.
- Mom is sitting upright or slightly reclined.
- Mom holds baby with her arm. Baby’s head lays on Mom’s forearm. She supports baby’s back and bottom with the hand that’s holding baby or her other hand.
- Her other hand can either support and shape her breast or it can support her other arm/baby’s body.
- When baby opens wide, quickly move him close
- After baby latches, add pillow supports where needed so your arms don’t get tired or sore.
To recap all of the information on proper breastfeeding positions I have a favorite video to share with you!
I hope that helps you be comfortable as your nurse! For more information on obtaining deep latches, check out this article. What is your favorite breastfeeding position? Comment below!
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