Breastfeeding Positions: How to Comfortably and Correctly Nurse Your Baby

Despite thorough preparation throughout pregnancy for childbirth and subsequent breastfeeding, a young mother can truly acquire this skill only through personal experience. Frequent skin-to-skin contact helps the newborn adapt more easily to the surrounding world in the first weeks after birth. Additionally, lactation is established more quickly through frequent breast stimulation. Both the mother and the baby need to learn proper breastfeeding attachment. 

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

Rules for Latching the Baby to the Breast

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

Namely, it is necessary that the baby:

• is positioned as close to the mother’s body as possible, tummy touching her;
• is turned towards the mother with the whole body and face;
• keeps the head and body in a straight line, head not tilting towards the shoulder;
• slightly tilts the head back;
• opened his mouth wide, his cheeks rounded while sucking;
• pressed his chin tightly against the areola;
• turned the lower lip outward;
• showed active sucking, so you could hear the milk being swallowed.

The mother should ensure that most of the areola is in the infant’s mouth, especially the lower part. This is known as a sign of asymmetric latch.

Purpose of different nursing positions

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

Breastfeeding positions can be both correct and comfortable. In the correct position, the baby can suckle most effectively, emptying all the lobes of the mammary gland and not taking in much air. This is crucial for preventing congestion and mastitis. A comfortable position is a necessary factor for comfortable feeding. 

Psychological aspects suggest that the procedure 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 comfortable for the infant but causes discomfort for the mother, her concerns are transmitted to the child, thus turning feeding into mutual stress. 

Comfortable Breastfeeding Positions

Comfortable breastfeeding positions are considered those where the mother and baby do not experience discomfort during the process, remain relaxed, and take maximum pleasure from the feeding experience. In these positions, the woman’s back doesn’t become strained, her arms and neck don’t ache, and she can allow both herself and the baby to stay in the most pleasant environment for her throughout the entire feeding period. 

Mastering several positions in which both the baby and the mother can comfortably interact during feeding is very important, as perceptions of comfort may change as the baby grows. Therefore, a woman should have skills in feeding her child in various positions.

Correct Breastfeeding Positions

The distinction between correct and incorrect breastfeeding positions is quite conditional. However, the position in which the child feeds more efficiently and comfortably, releases the breast less often, gains weight better, and in which the mother feels most comfortable, will be considered the most suitable for them. To find such a feeding position, a woman should experiment with different ones that either match the situational health condition of both the mother and baby, or are suitable for a specific place and time. 

This may be important since there might be a need to feed an older infant in an unfamiliar environment outside the home and even in a public setting. It’s advisable to start with classic positions that are considered most convenient and appropriate.

Classic, cross-cradle, and standing positions

The most common position is the “cradle hold,” where the baby’s head rests in the crook of your elbow, and your free hand provides support. The infant is positioned with the breast on one side, meaning they lie on the right arm while the mother nurses with the right breast. There’s also the “cross-cradle hold,” frequently used. Here, the newborn lies on the arm opposite the breast—if feeding from the right breast, the baby is placed on the left arm, leaving one hand free. 

This position is very convenient for breastfeeding the baby not only when sitting. The classic and cross-cradle feeding positions can also be used while standing, if for some reason the mother cannot sit down.

Nursing while lying down: on mother, leg over, on arm

Some might find lying down more comfortable and appropriate. The mother is lying on her back, with the child lying on her abdomen. In this position, even a newborn can find the nipple and latch on correctly by themselves. This breastfeeding position is called biological nurturing and is ideal for breastfeeding, especially for women with large breasts or a strong milk flow.

In the reclining position, the child is placed with their feet pointed towards the mother’s head. The mother lies on her side with her head supported by a pillow or her hand, while a long pillow is placed behind her back. This position is especially suitable if there is an issue with milk flow obstruction from the upper lobe. Additionally, while lying on the side, the baby can be positioned under the breast on one of the mother’s arms, with her head on the pillow and her second arm embracing the baby.

Side lying from lower, upper breast, underarm, hovering

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 her elbow on the ‘nursing’ side, and she offers the breast with the other hand. Another option is the child beside the mother, turned towards the breast, with her lower arm at face level. The upper arm supports the baby’s head. A small pillow can be placed under the baby’s head. You can also nurse from the upper breast if you choose a higher pillow.

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

Sitting while feeding: baby on mom, standing, on the hip

Besides the “cradle” there are other positions worth trying for feeding while sitting. This is a great choice of position for kids who can already sit up. In this case, the child sits on the mother’s knee, facing her. The mother supports the baby’s back with one hand, and with the other hand, she prepares her breast for feeding the newborn. 

A feeding position where the mother sits on a chair or couch, and the baby is placed between her legs, standing to nurse, can also be used.

An interesting position for some might be when the infant is positioned like on a horse, on the hip of a sitting or standing mother. This pose is particularly suitable for frequently spitting-up babies who have grown a bit.

In a sling

The feeding position in a sling will be helpful for socially active or working mothers, as well as useful for women who are mothers of more than one child and find it essential to stay mobile. Feeding in a sling is perfect for moms who confidently latch their baby to the breast and for babies who can hold their head up well enough.

Feeding is carried out by supporting the baby in a sling almost in mid-air. The woman needs to try to position the infant opposite her breast, helping them find the nipple. The baby should be latched onto the breast while supporting their back and preparing the breast for the upcoming feeding. Ensuring free breathing, the baby’s cheek will touch the breast in this position. 

Feeding twins

Feeding twins can be done alternately or simultaneously. To feed both children at the same time, choose the football hold (underarm position), the cradle, or biological nurturing position. The underarm feeding position is the same as for feeding a single child. Place the babies on their sides at different breasts, their legs should be positioned under the mother’s arms, and her palms under the babies’ heads, supporting their occiputs. The cradle will, in this case, be a ‘double cradle’, as the little ones are placed at each breast with their legs facing each other. 
You can use two breastfeeding positions, placing one baby in the classic ‘cradle’ position and the other in the ‘underarm’ position. Alternatively, choose the natural lying position, where the little ones are positioned on the mother’s abdomen, their heads directed towards the mother’s elbows, each infant being at one breast.