How to Position Your Baby While Breastfeeding

A good breastfeeding position should be comfortable for both you and your baby. It should also let your baby latch and feed easily.

With any position, make sure your baby is safe from falling. If you're too tired to feed safely, ask for help. A partner or family member can feed your baby while you rest.

Tips for Getting Into Any Position

• Get comfortable. Find a relaxed position you can stay in for a while. Use pillows to support your back and arms. Prop your feet on a footstool, coffee table, or stack of books if needed.
• Get your baby close to you. Hold your baby against your body. This helps them latch more easily. Use pillows or blankets for support.
• Make sure your baby’s position is correct:
  • Their head and chin face your chest.
  • Their mouth is open wide with "fish lips.”
  • Their tongue is over their lower gums, between their lower lip and your breast.
  • Their nose or cheeks may gently touch your breast.
  • Their chin is pressed into your breast.
  • Your nipple is at the back of their mouth.

If your baby’s latch hurts, gently remove your baby from your breast. Put a clean finger in their mouth to break the seal. Try again.

Common Positions

Cradle hold

Lay your baby on their side, tummy to tummy with you. Support them with your left arm while they feed on the left breast. Your right arm can go under their bottom or support their head. Tip your baby's head back slightly so they can open their mouth wide.

Works well for:

• Full-term or older babies with good head and neck control

Cross-cradle hold

Hold your baby with the opposite arm from the breast you're using. To feed on the left breast, use your right arm to hold your baby. Your left hand can support your baby or move your breast to help them latch better.

Works well for:

• Babies who need help with latching
• Premature or small babies
• Large breasts

Football hold

Tuck your baby under your arm on the side you're feeding from. Use a pillow or rolled blanket to support them. Face your baby toward you with their body on the blanket or pillow. Hold their head with your hand at nipple height. Use your other hand to support your breast.

Works well for:

• After a C-section
• Fast milk let-down
• Premature or small babies
• Large breasts

Laid-back hold

Sit on a comfortable surface like a bed or chair. Lean back on a pillow with your baby's chest against yours. Put their head at nipple level and place their cheek on your breast. Let them latch.

Works well for:

• Fast milk flow
• Babies with reflux
• Sore nipples

Side-lying hold

Make sure the area is flat and clear of blankets or pillows. Lie on your side with your baby facing you. Position their head at nipple level. They should be able to open their mouth wide and latch deeply.

Don't use this position if you're very tired. You could fall asleep, which isn't safe for your baby.

Works well for:

• After a C-section
• When you want to rest or relax
• Full-term or older babies

Be Patient

With time and practice, you and your baby will find what works best. If you have questions, contact your WIC clinic. We're here to help.