Introduction To Breastfeeding Positions
Breastfeeding comes in all different shapes and sizes. The way you position your baby to breastfeed is no different. The goal is for you to find something that’s comfortable for you, something that’s comfortable for your baby, and something that leads to good milk transfer.
There are many different breastfeeding possibilities that can be used depending on body type, breast size, and preference.
Different breastfeeding positions play a role in being able to achieve an efficient latch. An efficient latch is important to ensure your baby is able to get as much milk as possible from the breast. It’s also going to make breastfeeding a more comfortable and pain-free experience for you. Nobody wants sore, cracked, or bloody nipples.
This article will review the top three breastfeeding positions for newborns. The positions you use with a newborn will likely be different than what you use with an older baby. Newborns are born with reflexes to help them achieve a latch. Certain positions help trigger these reflexes to kick-start what we call a ‘reflexive latch’.
Oftentimes, a reflexive latch from a newborn is going to be a lot more successful than something we forced them into. These reflexes start to diminish within a few months of birth. Older infants have a lot more head control and they can use muscle memory to latch, thus making the techniques different.
1. Laid-Back Breastfeeding Hold
The laid back hold is usually the first position we see happening right after birth, during golden hour. This position is going to support your newborn in using their own reflexes to latch, more than any other position. An added bonus is you get to lie back and relax.
To achieve the laid-back hold, start off by reclining on a bed or couch. Get comfy! Position your baby skin-to-skin, upright on your chest, in between both breasts. Next, slide your baby down so their head is positioned at the same height as your breasts. Put them in a slight diagonal position so their head is now on top of one breast. Their legs will extend to either side of your thighs, or in between your legs.
You shouldn’t have to support your baby too much in this position. Gravity helps hold them in place as they are belly to belly on top of you. You can extend one of your arms out and have your baby’s head cradled by the inside of your elbow.
Once in position, you’ll notice your newborn begins to bob their head around. They are searching for the breast. Your nipple should be positioned in alignment with their nose and their chin should brush against the breast as they search. Many newborns are able to achieve a reflexive latch in this position.
From watching your baby bob their head around, to achieving a latch, many reflexes are supported along the way in this process. The laid-back hold can be really beneficial at any time on your breastfeeding journey. It’s not exclusive to the newborn period.
2. Cross-Cradle Breastfeeding Hold
The cross-cradle hold is one of the most commonly used breastfeeding positions. It can be useful any time and provides lots of support, especially for newborns. It’s also great for when you’re out in public.
In the cross-cradle hold, your baby is positioned across the front of your body. Begin by sitting up and bringing your baby to the same level as the breast, so they are positioned horizontal. You can place a pillow under their body.
In this position, it’s important your baby is lying on their side, facing towards the breast. You don’t want them lying on their back, having to turn their head to latch to the breast.
You’ll support their back, neck, and head with the opposite arm of the breast you are bringing them to. If you are bringing them to the left breast, use your right arm to support behind their body. Your forearm will be positioned on their back to hold the majority of their weight, your palm will support their upper back, and your fingers will be gently wrapped around their neck to provide support to their head.
Position their body as close to your body as possible, with their belly facing yours. Allow their chin to brush against the breast with their nose angled towards the nipple. Once they open wide, swiftly pull the baby onto the breast to latch.
3. Football Breastfeeding Hold
Many parents find the football hold comfortable after a c-section, so there’s no pressure on the belly. It also gives you a great visual of the latch to see exactly what’s going on.
Similar to how the name sounds, your baby will be held in a position that looks like a football player running with a football tucked under their arm. The football hold is where your baby is positioned next to your body, with their legs facing back towards the chair/couch/bed that you are in. It’s similar to cross-cradle, but they are next to you, instead of in front of you.
In this position, your baby should be lying on their side, rolled towards you, next to your breast. They should not be lying on their back and positioned under the breast, as this can make achieving an efficient latch difficult. Your forearm will be supporting their back and your hand will support their neck, similar to your arm positioning in the cross-cradle hold.
Their feet should be behind you. Sometimes it’s necessary to scoot forward if your baby is tall, to give them plenty of room. Allow their nose to align with your nipple and position them so their chin is touching the breast. After that, they should open their mouth, and you can swiftly pull them onto the breast. Be sure to bring the baby to the breast, not the other way around.
Which Position Is Right For You?
There’s no right or wrong breastfeeding position. Some people swear by the football hold, and others hate it. It all depends how it feels for you and your baby. Feel free to try them all.
The best position will be the one that feels comfortable, supports a deep latch, and doesn’t cause nipple pain. If you feel uncomfortable in any certain position, scrap it and try another one. And if the position that works for you changes each day, that’s ok too! It’s normal for it to take some time to find something that clicks.
When you’re comfortable, it leads to a much easier breastfeeding experience. It gives you more confidence and can lead to a longer breastfeeding duration.
What If It Doesn’t Feel Right?
Once your baby has achieved a latch, take a moment to evaluate how it feels. Are you having any nipple pain? Is your back, arm, or shoulder hurting? You should feel a slight pull and tug when your baby has an efficient latch and your body should be relaxed.
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s ok to try again. Try again as many times as needed. Unlatch your baby by using a clean finger and gently hooking it inside their bottom lip to break the suction. Sometimes small position adjustments can make a big difference in achieving a deeper latch.
Additional Tips For Positioning
In addition to using the positioning techniques described above, here are a few extra tips for positioning to support a reflexive latch.
- Ensure there is enough space in between your baby’s chin and chest so they have enough room to open up wide. If the chin is positioned too close to the chest, they have a limited space to open their mouth. To achieve this, you can scoot their body over while keeping their head in the same position.
- Always bring your newborn’s chin to the breast first. This helps trigger those reflexes to open wide and latch onto the breast. Additionally, when their chin comes to the breast first, it leaves plenty of space for their nose.
- Avoid putting pressure on your baby’s head. It’s best to support their head by supporting the base of their neck. Oftentimes, their head is pretty sore after delivery.
- Once you have your baby comfortably positioned, add in some pillows for support. You can place a pillow underneath your baby or underneath your arm to prevent your arm from feeling like it’s going to fall off. You could also achieve the same thing by using a rolled up blanket.
- Bring your baby to the breast, not the other way around. Keep an eye out and make sure you’re not hunching over to your baby. Attempt to maintain good posture to prevent issues with back or neck pain.
Remember, breastfeeding should feel comfortable. If you’re experiencing issues with poor weight gain or pain, have any concerns about milk transfer or have anything else, reach out to an IBCLC for support. An IBCLC is an expert in all things breastfeeding and can help you reach your goals.
Signs Your Baby Is Positioned Well
Regardless of the position you are in, there are a few signs you can look at to ensure things are off to a great start. Your baby’s ears, shoulders, and hips should be in alignment. Their chin should be resting on the breast while their nose is free to breathe. Their lips should be flanged outwards. Your baby’s body should be positioned close enough to the breast that they can latch without reaching too far.
Once the feeding begins, ensure it feels comfortable. Next, watch and listen for swallowing, which is a sign of good milk transfer. You should notice rhythmic and audible swallows as the milk begins to flow. Your baby’s cheeks should be nice and round, rather than dimpling inward.
These signs can provide confidence and reassurance that the positioning is supporting an efficient latch, in whichever position you are in.
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Written by Kaylee Rabaja, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Kaylee is a Registered Nurse, Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and the founder of Lactology Group, a global practice providing virtual lactation support to families worldwide. She is passionate about helping moms feel confident and supported throughout their feeding journey.
