Breastfeeding Positions Worth a Try

*Thank you to Katie Brooker, who is the head designer and fit technician at Cake Maternity for this great guest post!

There’s no first thing to do when you have your baby, as there are so many things to remember, and things to do.  If you’re having any difficulty in the way to hold your baby when breastfeeding, there are a few basic breastfeeding positions to try so that you have more ‘tools in your toolbelt’ so to speak.  

When you are in the hospital, just after you’ve had your baby, there will be people there to feed you, poke you and help you along the way with your nursing.  Take advantage of this time to figure out what breastfeeding positions you like best and then you can use them whenever you need to.

The Cross Cradle:

This is the standard go-to nursing position that most Lactation Consultants will start you on.  

Method:  

• Hold your baby on their side.
• Bring their body in close
• Your opposite arm comes underneath the body of your baby

Hot Tip:  Use the other hand to keep the head in place or you can use a support pillow

This is great for first timers, when you are in bed, on a chair.  This one is also great for public places as you are able to cover.  Whether your child is super young or old, this one is the winner.

The Cradle:  

Method:  

• The same as the cross cradle.  
• The baby’s head can be supported by the crook of your arm

Hot Tip:  You now have a free hand that is able to reposition your breast, play with your phone or scratch that itch.  

This is great for established feeders, for quick feeds or for endurance feeds too.  

The Football Clutch:

Method:  

• Similar to the cradle as you are only using one arm.  
• The baby’s body is not lying in front of yours but is more to the side and under your arm.  
• Your right arm comes to right breast.  

Hot Tip:  This can be used for when your baby is on their back or on their side.  

This one is good for when your are not in a chair or bed, but when you are standing or on a stool.  The back of you needs to be open or supported. Also good for when you are feeding from under your top, rather than from on top.  Good for discretion or twin feeding. Great if you baby is a kicker too.

Side Lying:

Method:  

• Lie on your side and bring your baby in close to you
• Position your baby on their side or can also be on their back
• You can prop your head up on a pillow or on your arm
• To stop your baby from rolling away from you or onto their back or front, you can use a pillow or your arm to keep them there.  
• You can start by using the breast closest to the mattress and then either swap sides or maneuver your body and breast to enable to feed from the other side.  

Hot tip:  Alternatively, you could bring your baby closer to your top breast by raising them on a pillow.  

Great for night time feeds or if your arms are sore.  Be careful in this position as many mums fall asleep in this position.  If you are tired, make sure that your baby’s nose is not going to be obstructed.

Downward:  

Method:  

• Place your baby on their back
• Lean over them and bring your breast to them by allowing it to drop into their mouth.  

Hot Tip:  You can be more comfortable if you prop yourself up on one arm, use a pillow or lie on your side.  

This one’s great if your baby is already asleep and needs a feed, or if you don’t want your baby to move.  Also if you have larger breasts or they are sore in general. If you need a higher milk flow, this one’s the winner.  

Reclined:  

Method:  

• Your baby is inline with your body.  
• You can hold them under their arms or depending on how big they are, prop them on your knee.  
• You can be in bed or on a chair.  
• Your hands can be free if desired (depending on age of your baby).  

Hot Tip:  You can start off in this position and then change to any of the others once you’re confident.

If your baby has difficulty burping then this one is great.  If your baby is distracted easily or just wants a quick feed.  Also great if you need to use both your hands.

Sitting:  

Method:

• Your baby is vertically upright and you are too.  
• Your baby is inline with your body.  
• You can be sitting upright or even standing.  

Hot Tip:  Your baby can be sitting on your knee if they are big enough or you can support them under their bottoms and behind their head.

Great for babies with reflux or when they are in a child carrier.  Also good for when you need both of your hands.

These are the basic positions and once you get the knack of them, try them and master them, then I’m sure you will develop some of your own that you never even thought possible.  Take the time to get to know your baby and what they like. Their size will change, as will their weight and your biceps too. Each baby is different and each feeding session can also be different too.  

Like many women out there, Katie Brooker is an avid multi-tasker. Apart from being the head designer and fit technician for Cake Maternity, she’s the mother of 2 diverse young girls.  Her goal is to provide comfort and support to breastfeeding mothers and to help them achieve this with beautiful bras that will fit and endure that rigorous path.  See more of her designs at https://www.cakematernity.com/ or follow her on @cakematernity