Breastfeeding Positions: Finding What Works for You and Your Baby

By: Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC

Finding a comfortable position can be one of the hardest parts of breastfeeding. There are many different positions you can breastfeed your baby in. Whatever position you choose, you’ll want to look to make sure your baby’s head is not turned to one side or the other and ensure their body is in a straight line. Ultimately, the best position for you is the one that is comfortable for you and your baby and that your baby can transfer milk well in. You’ll know your baby is transferring milk well when you hear them swallowing, see their ear wiggling while they nurse, and when they are having at least six wet and dirty diapers a day after they are a week old. You may also notice your breast feeling lighter and softer after a feeding which is a good sign your baby is transferring milk. The best way to know if your baby is getting enough milk is to weigh them regularly at the pediatrician or lactation consultant’s office and make sure their weight is going up by 0.5-1oz a day for the first 6 months of their life. 

To find a good position to breastfeed in, you’ll want to start by holding your baby tummy to tummy with his ears, hips and shoulders in a straight line. Be sure to support your baby’s neck and have your baby’s nose lined up with your nipple. Then you can put them in one of these positions:

1.Cross-Cradle

If you are nursing on your right breast, you would hold your breast with your right hand for support and make a slight “breast sandwich” by having your fingers underneath your areola and your thumb on top. Be sure not to hold too closely to your nipple so that your baby is able to take in plenty of your areola to get a deep latch. Hold your baby in your left arm. Have his bottom in your elbow and your arm along his back. Put the palm of your hand on your baby’s upper back and shoulders. Your left hand should create a “C” shape around the base of his skull. Line his nose up with your nipple and brush your nipple down over his lips to help encourage him to open his mouth. Once your baby is on, lean back and relax and try not to be hunched over. You’ll want to make sure your nipple is deep in your baby’s mouth, with a good portion of the areola pulled in as well.

2. Cradle

The cradle hold is the classic position people imagine holding babies in. In this position, your baby’s head is resting on your elbow and the palm of your hand is down by your baby’s lower back or bottom. If you are feeding on your right breast, you are holding them in your right arm with their head at your breast and their legs down by your left side. This position is better for older babies that can support their heads a little more.

3. Football

In this position, you hold your baby to the side of you. You can tuck them in under your arm like you would hold a football. You want your baby’s body to be in a straight line and ensure their head is not turned. Their stomach can be touching your stomach or slightly toward the ceiling. This position is good for moms who have had a c-section or who have larger breasts. This is also a good position to use to start if you are tandem feeding twins.

4. Side-Lying

In the side-lying position, you and your baby both lay on your side on a flat surface like a bed or a couch. You can hold your baby close with one arm and put the other arm above your head to help support yourself. If you are doing this on a couch be sure to have your baby closer to the back of the couch with you on the other side so that they are not able to fall onto the floor. Make sure to remove pillows and blankets from around your baby’s head in this position. This can be another good position for moms who have had a c-section as it does not put any pressure on the abdomen.

5. Reclined

This is when you lean back with your baby on top of you. This is another good starting position, especially if you are in the hospital in a bed that can sit up and lean back some. You can also do this on the bed or couch at home with lots of pillows propped up behind you.

Remember that you can breastfeed in whatever position is comfortable for you and your baby, even if it is not one of these named positions. Just be sure your baby’s head is not turned to one side or the other and that their body is in a straight line. A support person can check for this to assist you. When your baby opens their mouth wide, help them onto your nipple by gently pressing them into your chest. 

Your baby’s chin should hit the breast first and their nose may or may not touch your breast during a deep latch. It is okay if their nose is pressed up against your breast, if they are continuing to actively breastfeed then they can breathe. Just remember not to hold the back of their head so that they have the freedom to move away if they are having trouble breathing. 

If you are struggling to find a position that works for you, reach out for an appointment right away and we can help!

Last medically reviewed on July 24, 2024

Natalie Jarrett, MSN, IBCLC is the lactation consultant Milestones Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition in Cary, NC. Natalie specializes in empowering lactating parents during their breastfeeding journey, while helping to minimize any breastfeeding difficulties. Schedule an appointment today.