Feeding Positions: How to Comfortably and Correctly Feed Your Baby

Despite the extensive preparation throughout the pregnancy for childbirth and subsequent breastfeeding, a young mother can only truly develop her skill through her own experience. Frequent skin-to-skin contact helps the newborn adapt more easily to the surrounding world during the first weeks after birth. Additionally, lactation is established faster with frequent breast stimulation. Both the mother and the baby need to learn proper latching. 

It’s always important to adapt any breastfeeding position to suit yourself, whichever one you choose. If a woman places her baby to the breast in positions that are as comfortable as possible for her and for the child, it will aid in better breast latch control, which, in turn, will help reduce the risk of nipple injury. 

Rules for Latching the Baby

To ensure that the baby gains weight well and the mother does not experience discomfort during breastfeeding, it is important to follow certain rules, regardless of the chosen breastfeeding position. 

Specifically, it is necessary that the baby:

• is positioned as close to the mother’s body as possible, pressed against her belly;
• is turned to the mother with his entire body and face;
• keeps the head and body in a straight line, without the head shifting to the shoulder;
• slightly leans his head back;
• widely opened their mouth, their cheeks rounded while sucking;
• held their chin as close to the areola as possible;
• turned their lower lip outward;
• demonstrated active sucking, so that the sound of swallowing milk could be heard.

The mother should ensure that a large part of the areola is in the baby’s mouth, primarily its lower part. This is known as the sign of asymmetric latch.

The Purpose of Different Breastfeeding Positions

The variety of existing breastfeeding positions is necessary so that a woman can choose the most comfortable and suitable one for herself and her newborn.

Nursing positions can be both correct and comfortable. In a correct position, the baby is able to suckle the breast most effectively, emptying all sections of the breast and not swallowing much air. This is extremely important for preventing congestion and mastitis. A comfortable position is a necessary factor for comfortable feeding. 

Psychological aspects suggest that the process should be as pleasant as possible for both participants, taking place in a relaxed state. A strong emotional bond unites the mother and baby. If the chosen position is convenient for the infant but causes discomfort for the mother, her concerns are transmitted to the child, turning feeding into a mutual stress. 

Comfortable Breastfeeding Positions

Comfortable positions for breastfeeding a newborn are those in which both the mother and child experience no discomfort, remain relaxed, and derive maximum enjoyment from the feeding process. In these positions, the woman does not experience a tense back, aching arms or neck, and can allow herself and the child to remain in the most pleasant setting throughout the entire feeding period. 

It is very important to master several positions where the baby and mother can comfortably interact during feeding, as perceptions of comfort may change as the baby grows. Therefore, it is beneficial for a woman to have the skill of breastfeeding in various positions.

Correct Breastfeeding Positions

The determination of correct and incorrect breastfeeding positions is quite subjective. However, the position in which the baby gets satisfied quickly and effectively, less frequently releases the breast from their mouth, and gains weight well, while the mother feels most comfortable, will be considered the most suitable for them. To choose such a position for breastfeeding, a woman should experiment with several of them, which either align with the situational health condition of the nursing mother and baby or are appropriate for a specific place and time. 

This may be important, as it might be necessary to feed an older infant in unfamiliar surroundings outside the home and even in a public place. It is advisable to start with classic positions, considered the most convenient and correct.

The classic cradle, cross-cradle, and standing positions

The most common position is the “cradle” hold, where the baby’s head rests in the crook of the arm, with the free arm providing support. The infant is positioned chest to chest on one side, meaning they are lying on the right arm and the mother is nursing from the right breast. The “cross-cradle” hold is also frequently used. The newborn lies on the arm opposite to the breast, meaning feeding occurs from the right breast while the child is positioned on the left arm, leaving one arm free. 

This nursing position is very convenient for breastfeeding the infant not just while sitting. You can also breastfeed in these classic and cross-cradle holds while standing if, for some reason, the mother cannot sit down.

Breastfeeding while lying down: on mom, in a “valet” position, on the arm

Some may find the lying position more comfortable and correct. The mother is lying on her back, and the child lies on her stomach. In this position, even a newborn can find the nipple and latch onto the breast correctly. This feeding position is called biological and is perfect for breastfeeding, especially for women with large breasts or a strong milk flow.

In the sideline position, the child is placed with legs pointed towards the mother’s head. The mother lies on her side, with her head supported by a pillow or her hand, and a long pillow behind her back. This position is particularly suitable if there is a blockage of milk flow from the upper lobe. Also, lying on the side, the baby can be positioned under the breast on one arm, placing her head on a pillow and embracing the infant with the other.

Lying on the side from the lower, upper breast, from under the arm, overhang

The side-lying position can be used by women who have had a cesarean section. The mother’s head rests on a pillow, the back of the child’s head is in the crook of the arm on the ‘feeding’ side, and the other hand offers the breast. Another option is for the child to be next to the mother, turned toward the breast, with her lower arm at face level. The upper arm is used to support the baby’s head. A small pillow can be placed under the baby’s head. It’s also possible to feed from the upper breast if a higher pillow is chosen.

Feeding from the underarm requires using a pillow to position the baby at breast level. In the first option, the baby lies on its back; in the second, on its side, parallel to the mother’s body, with its legs under the arm supporting the head. The other hand offers the breast to the baby. The hovering position is suitable for treating mastitis and milk stagnation. The baby is on its back to the mother’s right, nursing the left breast (or vice versa). The mother is on her knees and elbows, hovering over the baby. 

Sitting Feeding: baby on mom, standing, on the hip

In addition to the “cradle” hold, it’s worth trying other feeding positions while sitting. This is an excellent choice for babies who can already sit. In this case, the child is placed sitting on the mother’s lap, facing her. The mother supports the baby’s back with one hand, while with the other hand she prepares the breast for feeding her newborn. 

Feeding can also be done in a position where the mother sits on a chair or sofa, and the baby is placed between her legs and stands while being breastfed.

An interesting position for some might be the one where the infant is placed, like on a horse, on the hip of a sitting or standing mom. This pose is especially suitable for frequently spit-up babies who are a little older.

In a sling

The feeding position in a sling will be a great help for socially active or working mothers, as well as for women who are mothers of more than one child and for whom it’s crucial to stay mobile. Feeding in a sling is perfect for mothers who confidently attach their child to the breast, as well as for babies who can hold their head well enough.

Feeding is done by supporting the infant in a sling almost in the air. A woman needs to try to position the infant opposite the breast, helping the baby find the nipple. The baby should be brought to the breast, supporting the back and preparing the breast for the upcoming feeding. Ensuring free breathing, the baby’s cheek in this position will touch the breast. 

Feeding Twins

Feeding twins can be done either one at a time or simultaneously. To feed both children at the same time, choose positions like underarm (the American ‘football’ hold), ‘cradle,’ or biological ‘laid-back feeding.’ The underarm feeding position is the same as when feeding a single child. The babies are placed on their sides by different breasts, with their legs positioned under the mother’s arms, and their hands under the babies’ heads, supporting their necks. In this case, the cradle will be a ‘double cradle,’ as the little ones are placed at each breast with their feet facing each other. 
You can use two breastfeeding positions, with one baby in the classic ‘cradle’ position and the other ‘under the arm.’ Alternatively, you can opt for a natural lying position, where the babies are placed on the mother’s abdomen, their heads directed towards the mother’s elbows, each baby positioned at a different breast.