The best positions for breastfeeding

Changing position helps improve sinus drainage

Changing your position throughout the day will help drain all the quadrants of your breasts and prevent them from becoming clogged or draining poorly. The part of your chest that your baby’s chin is pointing toward receives the strongest pull and waste during feeding. It is suggested that you turn your baby in a different position at each feeding, especially during the first week or two, as you and your loved one learn to breastfeed and build confidence in her technique.

Regardless of the position you choose for feeding, your baby should always be facing your body: your baby’s knees, tummy and chest should be in contact with your body. The baby’s arms should be wide open and extended around your chest. Use lots of pillows to support your baby, arms, and back. Footrests are helpful and prevent back strain and muscle strain. Some mothers like to use a nursing pillow, available for use with one or multiple babies. Family members and friends can make it easy to adjust the ear cushions to provide support during shots. Be careful to require the benefit of all available help. Also, make sure you have a large container of fresh water within easy reach. Therefore, you usually have something to drink while you are nursing.

Here are some recommended positions to do. You and your baby can eventually find your preferred positions. Initially, learn the cross-cradle, cradle, and football positions; these positions give you the most control over your breast and also over your baby’s head – the secret to proper positioning.

football stamina

This is a comfortable position to use immediately after a cesarean delivery because the baby is positioned away from the incision.

• Sit propped up on pillows and footrests if necessary.

• Babe sits on a pillow next to you.

• The baby’s body is turned toward you, so his knees, tummy, and chest face toward your body.

• The baby’s arms are wide open around your chest.

• When nursing on the right breast, you can support your breast with your left hand in a “C” shape, sandwiching the nipple and areola to let the baby know.

• Your right hand is around your baby’s neck, supporting the base of his head, your arm supporting his back, keeping the baby’s body close to you.

• Reverse your hands to nurse the left breast.

The Modified Soccer Grip

• Sit propped up with pillows and footrests, if necessary.

• The baby lies on a pillow next to you.

• The baby’s body is turned toward you and wrapped around your body.

• The baby’s knees, tummy, and chest face toward your body.

• The baby’s arms are wide open around your chest.

• The hand support for your chest and baby’s head are similar to soccer; reverse to the opposite breast.

The cross cradle grip

This position is advantageous during the first few days of nursing because your breast, as well as the baby’s head and body, are well supported.

It has also proven effective for premature babies who need more head support and control.

• Sit propped up on cushions and footrests, if you like.

• Babe lies on the front of her body supported by pillows.

• The baby’s knees, tummy, and chest face toward your body.

• The baby’s arms are wide open around your chest.

• The baby’s eyes look up at your face (and your shoulder).

• When nursing the right breast, you can hold the breast with your right hand in a “U” shape, sandwiching the breast and areola for the baby to grasp.

• Your left hand will be on the baby’s neck, supporting the base of his head while your arm supports his back, keeping the baby’s body close to you.

• Reverse your hands to nurse the left breast.

The Cradle Grip

This position is optional after you and the baby are latched on without difficulty and the baby requires little guidance from you.

• Sit with supportive pillows and footrests, if necessary.

• The baby lies crosswise in front of your body propped up on pillows, the baby’s knees, tummy and chest face your body.

• The baby’s arms are wide open around your chest.

• The baby’s eyes look up at your face (and your shoulder).

• When nursing the right breast, hold the breast with your left hand in a “U” shape, forming the breast and areola into a sandwich for the baby to grasp.

• Your right forearm supports the baby’s head with your hand supporting the baby’s bottom. You will use your forearm to guide your baby to your breast (placing the baby’s head in the “crook” of your arm often puts the baby’s mouth too far to the side and at the wrong angle to latch on to your breast).

• Reverse your hands to nurse the left breast.

Traditional Side Lying

Lie flat on your side, knees bent, propped up with pillows between your knees, behind your back, and under your head (body pillows are excellent support).

• The baby lies on the side with the tummy, knees and chest facing towards the body, the lower arm tucked under the chest and the upper arm across the chest.

• The baby’s face is looking at your breast with his mouth close to your nipple.

• The baby’s body is level with your body with the feet pointing towards the bottom of the bed.

• If the baby’s mouth is under your nipple, place a closed towel or baby blanket under the baby’s head to bring the baby’s mouth closer to your breast.

• You should place a tightly rolled towel or blanket behind your baby to prevent her from lying on her back.

• When nursing the right breast, hold the breast with your left hand in a “C” shape, sandwiching the breast and areola for the baby to grasp.

• Your right arm will form a contour around your baby’s body on the bed and guide the baby to your breast.

• Turn onto your left side and face the positions to nurse the left breast.

Laying face down

Follow the instructions for traditional side lying, but your lower arm is raised and positioned over your head along with your pillow.

• Baby lies on stomach with tummy, knees, and chest facing toward your body, lower arm tucked under your chest, baby’s upper arm across your chest.

• The baby’s face is looking at your breast with his mouth at the level of your breast.

• Babe’s body is horizontal to her body with her feet pointing towards the top of her bed.

• If the baby’s mouth is under your breast, place a folded towel or baby blanket under your baby’s head.

• You can place a tightly rolled baby towel or blanket behind your baby to prevent him from lying on his back.

• When nursing the right breast, hold the breast with your left hand in a “C” shape, sandwiching the breast and areola so your baby knows while your forearm is above and below the pillow.

• This is a useful position for emptying the upper quadrants of your breast and should be very comfortable after a cesarean delivery if your tummy is sore and swollen.

• You may want to help get your baby into this position and keep the baby locked in during feedings.

• Turn to your left side and reverse your hands to nurse the left breast.

prone position

This position will be helpful if you feel your milk flow is too fast or too strong for your baby. Gravity slows the flow.

• Lie on your back with your knees bent and use pillows as well and support your head.

• The baby lies on his stomach to test his breast; arms outstretched around your chest.

• An alternative is to put your baby on his stomach, propped up on pillows at your side with his face facing toward your breast and the baby’s arms open wide around your breast.

Visit: The Breast Journal for more information on breastfeeding