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The 
 is one of the most frequently seen breastfeeding positions for babies. It is great
because it allows mom to hold the baby closely and support their little bodies, particularly when
they are newborns and not quite able to hold themselves up in any way.

This picture also shows a great use of a nursing pillow to help support the baby and mom's arms.

I really like the  
. I found it easier to hold the baby and manage my breast as I
was learning to nurse. The baby is in the same position as the cradle hold, but here you can use
your hands more effectively to help steer the baby's head, while the other hand maneuvers the
breast. The forearm is used to support the baby's body.

So, if you're feeding from the right breast, your right hand manages the breast while the left hand
hold the back of the baby's head and the left arm supports the baby.

The 

 is a great position if you really need to see the breast. It works well for large
breasted mothers as well as mothers who need to avoid the baby being on their abdomen, such as
after a cesarean section.

Be sure to use pillows with this position so that you can be sure that the baby is well supported.
If the baby is longer than the space you have between you and where you are sitting, bend the
legs upward, so that their bottom is against the back of the chair or bed. This prevents you from
leaning out.

With this position you can also use the other hand to help better position the baby's mouth or
your breast. It gives you a great look at the breast while nursing, so works well if you're having
latch issues.


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Breastfeeding is perfectly natural. However, you and your baby won¶t learn all by yourselves.
You¶ll have to study how to properly latch on and position your baby to avoid any kind of pain
or discomfort when breastfeeding. Below are some basic breastfeeding positions to help you get
started.

a


This is the classic and most basic position. Moms instinctively hold their babies this way.
However, it may not be the easiest hold.

À
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1. Sit in a chair that has supportive armrests or on a bed with lots of pillows. If you are sitting on
a chair, rest your feet on a stool, making your lap slightly inclined, letting the baby roll towards
mom. If you don¶t have a stool, a stack of books will do. If you are on the bed, put a pillow
under your knees for more support.
Position your feet comfortably. Rest them on a stool or a stack of books so that your knees are
slightly inclined, letting baby roll towards you.

2. Put your baby¶s nape in the crook of your arm and that same hand supporting his buttocks.

3. Face the baby¶s tummy towards your tummy.

4. With your free hand, hold your breast in a ³c´ position and offer the breast and gently squeeze
parallel to the baby¶s mouth.
5. Wait for your baby to open his mouth wide, as if he is yawning. If he is not opening his
mouth wide, use your pinky finger to tickle the side of the baby¶s mouth. If he still does not open
his mouth wide, apply slight pressure on your baby¶s chin.

6. When his mouth is wide open, guide your baby to your breast to get as much breast tissue into
the mouth as possible (read: areola and not just nipple). Remember to bring your baby up to
your breast and don¶t lean forward to avoid back pain.

7. When your baby¶s suckling has relaxed, you may release the ³c´ hold at the breast and transfer
your hand towards the buttocks or back of the baby.

8. Support yourself and your baby with a lot of pillows and relax your arms.

6



   

à Make sure to relax your shoulders. You will be in this position for a while so it¶s important for
you not to be stressed or cramped in any way.
à Your baby¶s lips should be pouting outwards (i.e. fish lips).
à To avoid carpal tunnel syndrome, when your baby is comfortably latched on, relax your main
support hand and arm and have a pillow support your hand and arm.
a a


This is also known as cross-over hold. If your main arm is tired from a cradle hold, switch arms
to rest without changing your baby¶s position.

À
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à Sit in a chair that has supportive armrests or on a bed with lots of pillows. If in a chair, rest
your feet on a stool making your lap slightly inclined, letting baby roll closer to mom. If you are
on a bed, put a pillow under your knees for more support.
à Hold your baby in the cradle position, then, with your free arm, hold the head of your baby
while supporting his body and buttocks with the length of your arm. Make sure that your baby¶s
tummy is facing your tummy.
à Use your other hand to support your baby¶s head or if you¶re too tired from nursing in the
cradle position, stretch and turn your shoulders around. If baby your baby is unlatched, use this
hand to hold the breast in a ³c´ position.
à Repeat steps 4 to 8 of the cradle position.
6  


Caption: Use Step by Step procedure

This position is best for newborn babies when mom needs the most support. It¶s also best for
moms who gave birth via Caesarian section since she can be totally on her back. It¶s important to
note that mom needs a lot of support for this.

À
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à Mommy should be fully reclined and on her back for this position.
à Partner should position baby on top of mommy, in an inclined position. Remember that baby
should be tummy to tummy with mommy.
à Partner should support the baby¶s back, neck and head with his hands and with pillows.
à Mommy can use a free hand to hold her breast in a ³c´ position and offer her to baby to
suckle.

0

 a

Football or clutch hold gives mom good visibility of baby¶s mouth and latch.

As the name of position suggests, you should be holding your baby like a clutch or a football.
This position is best used for moms who delivered via Caesarian section, for preemies, babies
below 6 lbs. and for twins. Mom can also use this position for a baby who has a hard time
latching since she can maintain good visibility with the baby¶s mouth. In this position, mom and
baby have good eye contact.

À
À


à For this position, it is best to be at the head of a bed (or near the head rest of the bed). If you
want to try this with a chair, make sure that it has a back rest since mommy has to lean forward a
bit to give way to baby¶s legs.
à Put a pillow on the side where baby will breastfeed.
à Position baby at this side, under your arm. Baby should be facing mommy¶s body and whole
face should be seen. Baby¶s nose is level with the nipple and feet are pointing towards the back.
à Once baby feels the nipple on his nose, baby should instinctively raise head up, open mouth
and latch on to the nipple.
à Mommy¶s free hand may be used to hold the breast in ³c´ position or to tickle baby¶s mouth.
Once baby is latched on, free hand may be relaxed.
À 
 

Using the side lying position ensures a good night¶s sleep for mommy, daddy and baby

In this position, mommy can relax and nap while nursing baby. This position is usually used for
babies over 6 weeks old. Before that, a pillow may be used to prop your baby up. You can enlist
the support of your partner to prop mommy and baby properly with pillows.

À
À


Ãc Under the pillow (best for sleeping)

Ãc On top of the pillow supporting baby¶s head (good for watching the baby)
Ãc Or Supporting the baby¶s body, like hugging the baby (good for smaller babies to raise
the baby higher)

à Mommy should lie on the side where she will breastfeed. Someone can assist by placing a
pillow on her back and between her legs.
à Upper arm of mommy can be:
à Put baby on the side facing mommy and support his back with a bolster pillow or rolled towels
or blankets. If baby is too small, prop baby on top of a pillow.
à Make sure that baby and mommy are in a tummy to tummy position and that when they both
relax, the pillows are enough to hold this position without rolling backwards.
à Wait for baby to open mouth wide before latching.
à Upper hand of mom may be used to gently massage the baby or hold the baby¶s back.
À


This position is best for babies who can sit up and have good head control. It¶s also best for those
who have ear infections or runny nose. Using this hold relaxes both hands of mom. For bigger
babies, moms can breastfeed hands-free and do other things while nursing.

À
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à Mommy should be sitting comfortable in a chair.

à Straddle baby on mommy¶s leg on the side where she is about to nurse.
à Check the head level of baby. Nipple should be the same level as baby¶s nose. Raise legs on
a stool or stack of books if baby is too low. If baby is too high, mommy should recline slightly.
à Offer the breast in ³c´ hold and relax when baby is suckling well.

Use the different breastfeeding positions or holds to suit you and your baby¶s needs. Cradle hold
is what you normally see breastfeeding moms do. Use this position when you¶ve gotten the hang
of breastfeeding. Use the cross cradle hold as an alternative to the cradle hold when your arms
are tired.

The inclined position is best for newborn babies or for moms who have had a Caesarian section.
This position will need a lot of support from a partner or care giver. The football or clutch hold
helps a mom get good visibility of her baby¶s latch and is the best position for making sure that
baby is getting the areola in his mouth (and not just the nipple!). It¶s also ideal for preemies and
babies under 6 lbs. as well as twins.

The side lying position is ideal for nap time and night time when both mom and baby need their
rest. This position should be used when the baby is over six weeks old. Lastly, the saddle hold is
ideal for older babies who can already hold up their heads (and have better head control). This
position also frees up mommy¶s hands for other things that she would like to do
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