Breastfeeding Positions

The most important part of breastfeeding is getting the baby to latch on correctly. If the baby latches on poorly, then they will be limited as to how well they will get milk. Further, by latching on poorly, the baby may cause the mother to bin pain. Also, since the child is not receiving adequate milk supply, they will have to stay on the breast for longer periods of time, thus aggravating the pain. Thus, it is important in the early weeks to optimize the baby’s position and ensure that he or she is latched on correctly. Proper positioning will help eliminate many cases of sore nipples. Here are some basic positions to use when breastfeeding your baby. Use the ones that you find are most effective and comfortable for you.

The cradle position The cradle position is most commonly used after the first few weeks and gives you the most control of your baby. Your baby should be lying on his side, resting on his shoulder and hip with his mouth level with your nipple. Use pillows lifting your baby and supporting your elbows to bring your baby up to nipple height especially during the first few weeks. Support your breast while your baby’s head is on your forearm and his back will be along your inner arm and palm. When you look down, you should see his side. His mouth should be covering at least a half-inch of the dark area around your nipple. Be sure his ear, shoulder and hips should be in a straight line. As a newborn, your baby’s head and bottom should be level with each other. The cross cradle position This is a variation of the cradle position, which involves your baby being supported on a pillow across your lap to help raise him to your nipple level. Pillows should also support both elbows so your arms don’t hold the weight of the baby; they will tire before the feeding is finished. If you are preparing to breastfeed on the left breast, your left hand supports that breast in and you support your baby with the fingers of your right hand. Do this by gently placing your hand behind your baby’s ears and neck with your thumb and index finger behind each ear. Your baby’s neck rests in the web between the thumb, index finger and palm of your hand, forming a “second neck” for baby. The palm of your hand is placed between his shoulder blades. As you prepare to latch on your baby, be sure his mouth is very close to your nipple from the start. When baby opens his mouth wide, you push with the palm of your hand from between the shoulder blades. His mouth will be covering at least a half-inch from the base of your nipple. Clutch position This is an ideal position for women who have just given a Cesarean birth since it keeps the child away from your incision. It is also used in situations when the mother has a more forceful milk ejection because it allows the child to handle the increased flow more easily. For this position you should support your baby’s head in your hand and his back along your arm beside you. Your child should be facing you, with his mouth at nipple height. Your baby’s legs and feet are tucked under your arm with his hips flexed and his legs resting along side your back rest so the soles of his feet are pointed toward the ceiling. (This keeps him from being able to push against your chair.) Pillows again help bring the baby to the correct height.

Side lying position
This position puts you in a comfortable position, especially at night or when you are just feeling tired. With this position, both mother and baby lie on their sides facing each other. You can use pillows behind your back and behind or between your knees to help get comfortable. A pillow or rolled blanket behind the baby’s back will keep him from rolling away from you. The baby can be cradled in your arm with his back along your forearm. Having his hips flexed and his ear, shoulder and hip in one line helps your baby get milk more easily. Some mothers find that practicing with this position during the daytime is very helpful.