5 common breastfeeding positions to try

There are a variety of positions that you can try when feeding your baby at the breast or chest. You can stick to the same position if it is comfortable and you are not experiencing any discomfort or issues with milk intake.

However, you may find that different positions work well for different situations. An example of this might be that a more upright position is favoured when out and about but you may find lying side by side with your child more comfortable at nap time or during night feeds. 

You may find that different positions work well for different situations

Key things to remember when positioning your baby:

• Make sure that you are comfortable and able to sustain the position throughout the nursing session. This will minimise disturbing the attachment at the breast or chest, potentially resulting in a shallow latch.
• Your baby’s body and head should be in a straight line and close to you. I have come across many babies whose upper half is positioned correctly but their bottom is at an angle and away from the parent. The key is to keep them tucked in. 

5 popular breastfeeding positions to try

1. Cradle hold

Cradle hold is an upright feeding position and one that many parents instinctively use in the early weeks. This may be due to being able to have more control on guiding your baby onto the breast and increasing the confidence of the parent. Another reason is that it might be the most popular position that we are used to seeing in the media or out and about. When using this position, your baby’s head will rest in the inside of your elbow as the rest of your arm supports their upper body. You would use the same arm as the side of the breast you are using. Your free hand would support your baby’s bottom. 

When using this position, your baby’s head will rest in the inside of your elbow as the rest of your arm supports their upper body.

2. Cross cradle hold

Cross cradle hold is a variation of the above position. In this position, your hand supporting the base of her neck and head is the one opposite to the breast that your baby is feeding from and the forearm and elbow supports their body. This position gives you the most control over guiding the attachment process. 

This position gives you the most control over guiding the attachment process. 

3. Reclined position

Reclined position (sometimes referred to as laid back or biological nurturing) can tap into your baby’s natural reflexes and uses gravity when you lean back. You can still provide guidance to your baby during the attachment process but they can also find the nipple themselves. To use this position, you would support your upper body and provide a recline, but not lie completely flat. Your baby would lie on you vertically or across your chest. The latter being particularly helpful if you have had a caesarean. Skin to skin contact can be a great way to get the hormones flowing, providing security for your baby. 

To use this position, you would support your upper body and provide a recline, but not lie completely flat. Your baby would lie on you vertically or across your chest.

4. Side-lying position

Side lying position can be helpful at nap time or during the night when you may want to optimise on getting some rest too. This position can also be favoured for parents who have had a caesarean as it minimises discomfort to the site of incision. Your baby’s nose should be in line with your nipple as they also lie on their side. Your hand supports their back to keep them tucked in nicely whilst the surface they are lying on supports their body. 

Side lying position can be helpful at nap time or during the night when you may want to optimise on getting some rest too.

5. Rugby/Football hold

Rugby hold is another useful position for parents who have had a caesarean for the same reasons above. It can also help parents who are feeding multiple babies together. Your fingers and thumb support your baby’s head and your arm supports their body as you bring them to the side of your body with their legs behind you. 

Your fingers and thumb support your baby’s head and your arm supports their body as you bring them to the side of your body with their legs behind you. 

The Global Health Media Project video on positioning is very informative and includes real footage of parents feeding their babies. Face to face support has been difficult to obtain in certain localities due to the ongoing battle with Covid19. Therefore, when supporting parents on the National Breastfeeding Helpline, I often suggest that the parent could watch the video with a partner or friend/ family member to see if they can then be observed and spot any obvious differences together. Sometimes even the smallest tweak can make a big difference! 

If you are struggling with positioning your baby, you can contact your midwife or health visitor or call the National Breastfeeding Helpline for further information. It may also be helpful to seek a local breastfeeding support group to find out what works for other parents.

References:

https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/how-to-breastfeed/breastfeeding-positions/

https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/positions-for-breastfeeding/