The 7 Most Popular Breastfeeding Positions
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful and bonding experience for mother and baby. But it can also be daunting for new moms who are figuring out how to do it for the first time. There are so many things to think about! Which position should I use? How do I know if my baby is latched on correctly? Will my baby be getting enough milk?
Don’t worry, mama. We’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll share some of the best breastfeeding positions for new moms. With a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time!
1. The Cradle Hold
The cradle hold is a classic breastfeeding position that has been used for centuries. It is perfect for newborns and young infants who need the extra support. In this position, baby is cradled in your arm with their head resting in the crook of your elbow. Your free hand can be used to support baby’s back or bottom.
This position is named after the way baby is held, which looks like they are being cradled in your arms. The cradle hold is a great position for mothers who are new to breastfeeding because it is easy to learn and provides plenty of support for both mother and baby.
How to Do the Cradle Hold
- Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet flat on the ground and your back supported. You may want to use a pillow to support your back or arms.
- Hold your baby close to your body with their head resting in the crook of your elbow and their body facing towards you. Use your free hand to support their back or bottom.
- Bring your baby’s mouth level with your nipple and guide them onto the breast. You may need to help them latch on correctly by gently touching their chin or using a finger to guide them onto the nipple.
- Once baby is latched on, use your free hand to support their head or back as needed. You can also use this hand to help express milk if baby needs a little help getting started.
- To end the feeding, break the suction first by inserting a clean finger into the corner of baby’s mouth, then remove them from the breast gently.
- Burp baby frequently during and after feedings to help prevent gas buildup in their stomachs.
- Repeat on the other side if desired!
2. The Football Hold
There is no wrong way to breastfeed, but some positions may be more comfortable for you and your baby than others. One position that you might want to try is the football hold.
How to Do the Football Hold
The football hold gets its name from the way that the baby is positioned—cradled in one arm like a football. To do the football hold, start by sitting in a comfortable position with a pillow propped behind you. Then, take your baby and position him or her so that their tummy is facing your breast and their head is in the crook of your arm. You can use your other hand to support your breast and help guide your baby’s mouth to the nipple.
Why You Might Like the Football Hold
There are a few reasons why you might want to try the football hold for breastfeeding. First, if you have had a c-section, this position can be particularly comfortable because it doesn’t put any pressure on your incision site. Additionally, this position can be helpful if you are struggling with latching issues because it gives you more control over how your baby latches onto the nipple. Finally, the football hold can be a good option if you have large breasts because it allows you to support your breast from underneath.
3. The Cross-Cradle Hold: A Breastfeeding Position for Newbies
This position is perfect for mothers who are just starting out, as it provides good support for both you and your baby. Plus, it’s relatively easy to learn and master. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the different breastfeeding positions out there, fear not! The cross-cradle hold may just be the perfect position for you and your little one.
How to Do the Cross-Cradle Hold
How to Do the Cross-Cradle Hold
The cross-cradle hold is a very popular breastfeeding position for new mothers, as it’s easy to learn and provides good support for both mother and baby. To do this position, simply cradle your baby in one arm with their head resting in the crook of your elbow. Use your other hand to support their back and bottom.
Once your baby is in position, bring them close to your breast so that their nose is level with your nipple. Then gently guide their mouth onto your nipple and let them latch on. You may need to adjust their position slightly until they are comfortable and able to latch on correctly. Once they are latched on correctly, you can use your free hand to support your breast or help them stay in position.
This position is great for mothers who are just starting out, as it provides good support and is relatively easy to master. Plus, it gives you a good view of your baby’s latch so that you can make sure they are latched on correctly. However, one downside of this position is that it can put a lot of strain on your arms and shoulders if you do it for too long. So if you find yourself getting tired, feel free to switch positions or take a break altogether.
4. The Side-Lying Position
The side-lying position is a great way to breastfeed your baby, especially if you are tired or have back pain. In this position, you and your baby will be lying on your sides, with your baby facing you. You can use pillows to support your head, back, and baby. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by lying on your side with a pillow behind your back for support. Place another pillow in front of you for your baby to lie on.
- Bring your baby up to your breast and help them latch on. You may need to adjust their position until they are comfortable and latched on correctly.
- Once your baby is latched on, you can use your free hand to support their head or back. You can also use this hand to help guide them if they need assistance latching on correctly.
- When you are finished breastfeeding, gently break the suction and remove your baby from your breast. Burp them and then put them down in a safe place so that you can lie down and rest yourself!
5. The Reclining Position
The reclining position is a great way to breastfeed if you’re having trouble getting your baby to latch. In this position, you can prop yourself up with pillows so that you’re not lying flat on your back. This can help if you’re experiencing any back pain while breastfeeding.
To get into the reclining position, start by sitting in a chair with your back supported. You can also use a nursing pillow to support your back. Then, prop your feet up on another chair or stool. Once you’re comfortable, bring your baby to your breast. You can support your baby’s head with your hand while he or she latches on.
This position is also helpful if you’re dealing with any engorgement issues. The extra support from the pillows will help drain your breasts so that they don’t become too full. If you find that your baby is having trouble latching onto one side, try switching to the other side. You can also try using a nipple shield to help with latching issues.
6. The Lie-Down Position
The Lie-Down position for breastfeeding is one of the most comfortable and relaxing positions for both mom and baby. It is also a great position for sleepy babies and for night feedings. This position can be done in bed or on a couch, using pillows to prop up baby and mom.
How to do the Lie-Down Position:
To get into the Lie-Down position, start by lying down on your side with your baby on their side next to you, tummy to tummy. You can prop yourself up with pillows behind your back and head for support. Then, bring your baby close to you so that they can latch on. Once latched, use your free hand to support your breast if needed. You can also bring your baby closer with a pillow under their bottom if needed.
Benefits of the Lie-Down Position:
The main benefit of this position is that it is very relaxing for both mom and baby. It is also a good position for sleepy babies since they do not have to work as hard to eat. This position can also be helpful if you are dealing with sore nipples since there is less pulling in this position.
Drawbacks of the Lie-Down Position:
The only real drawback of this position is that it can be hard to keep baby latched on if they are very active. If your baby tends to wiggle a lot, you may want to try another position.
7. The Side-By-Side Position
The side-by-side breastfeeding position is a great position for mothers who want to be close to their baby while they breastfeed. This position also allows the mother to have skin-to-skin contact with her baby, which can be very beneficial for both the mother and the baby. In this position, the mother and baby are positioned so that they are facing each other, with their bodies parallel to each other. The mother can use her free arm to support her baby’s head and neck.
This position is also good for mothers who may be experiencing back pain while breastfeeding because it takes some of the pressure off of the back. In addition, this position can help prevent nipple confusion because the baby can see both of the nipples while in this position.
To get into the side-by-side breastfeeding position, first sit in a comfortable chair with your feet flat on the ground. Then, place your baby on your lap so that he or she is facing you and his or her body is parallel to yours. Once you are both in position, use your free arm to support your baby’s head and neck while he or she latches on to your breast.
Conclusion
There are so many things to think about when you’re breastfeeding for the first time! But don’t worry, mama—you got this! With a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time!
If you want to know even more about breastfeeding, there is some amazing books. One that we can highly recommend is The Positive Breastfeeding Book, you can buy it here on Amazon.
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