Breastfeeding Positions for a Better Latch

Breastfeeding is the natural way to nourish your baby and provides the ideal nutrition for their growth and health. Immediately after birth, newborn breastfeeding is essential for optimal development and future well-being. According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is a powerful way to support their health and survival. Breast milk is safe, clean, and rich in antibodies that help protect against many childhood illnesses. Many questions and doubts often arise during Newborn breastfeeding. One of the main concerns is breastfeeding positions 9Months, a leading provider of breastfeeding awareness sessions in the UAE, offers expert guidance on the different breastfeeding positions for newborns.

Breastfeeding Positions

There are various ways to position your newborn for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding positions refer to how you hold your baby at the breast to ensure a comfortable and practical feeding experience for both mother and baby. Finding the correct position supports optimal milk flow and enhances comfort for the mother and baby. Since pregnancy, labor, and delivery are challenging and often painful experiences, discovering the most suitable breastfeeding position can make feeding more enjoyable and relaxing for both you and your baby. Here, 9 Months explores the different breastfeeding positions to help mothers find the most comfortable and effective one for themselves and their babies.

Different Breastfeeding Positions

1. Cradle Hold Position

The cradle hold is one of the most common and comfortable breastfeeding positions. It offers the mother greater control and fosters a strong bonding experience between mother and baby.

• Sit Comfortably: Find a comfortable chair with good back support. You can also use a pillow for extra support.
• Support Baby’s Head: Hold your baby’s head with your elbow bent. Their head should be resting in the crook of your arm, facing your breast.
• Position Baby’s Body: Keep your baby’s body close to yours. Their tummy should touch your chest, and their whole body should face you.
• Support Baby’s Bottom: Use your hand to support your baby’s bottom, ensuring their body is aligned straight.
• Position Your Breast: Bring your breast to your baby’s mouth, aiming for the nose or upper lip to touch your breast.
• Latch: When your baby opens their mouth wide, gently guide them to latch onto your breast, ensuring they take in as much of the areola as possible.
• Relax: Once your baby is latched, make sure you’re both comfortable and relaxed. Adjust your position if needed.

Some women may find this position uncomfortable, especially after a caesarean section, as the baby resting on the tummy can put pressure on the incision site or stretch marks. 

2. Cross Cradle Hold

The cross-cradle hold is similar to the cradle position. Still, it offers more control for the mother, making it especially suitable for smaller babies.

• Sit Comfortably: Sit in a comfortable chair with good back support. You can also use pillows to support yourself and the baby.
• Hold Baby with Opposite Arm: Use the arm opposite to the breast you plan to nurse from to support your baby. For example, use your left arm if you’re breastfeeding from your right breast.
• Position Baby’s Head: Hold your baby’s head with your hand, using your thumb and fingers to gently support the back of it. The baby’s head should be facing your breast.
• Align Baby’s Body: Hold your baby close, ensuring their body is aligned with yours. Their tummy should be touching yours, and their body should be in a straight line.
• Support Baby’s Bottom: Use your other hand (not holding the baby’s head) to support your baby’s bottom or back.
• Bring Baby to the Breast: Bring your baby to your breast, not the other way around. Aim their nose or upper lip at your nipple.
• Latch: When your baby opens their mouth wide, gently guide them to latch onto your breast. Ensure they take in a reasonable amount of the areola, not just the nipple.

Adjust as Needed: Once your baby is latched, ensure you are both comfortable. Adjust your position if necessary.

3. Football Hold / Under-arm Hold / Rugby Hold

• Sit Comfortably: Sit in a comfortable chair with good back support. Use pillows if needed to support your arms or baby.
• Position Baby at Your Side: Place your baby beside you, with their body along your side, facing your breast. Their legs should point toward your back like you’re holding a football.
• Support Baby’s Head: Use the hand on the same side as the breast you’re feeding from to support your baby’s head. Your hand should cradle the back of the baby’s head so the mouth is level with your nipple.
• Support Baby’s Body: Use your other hand (not holding the baby’s head) to support your baby’s bottom or back. Make sure your baby is securely positioned along your side.
• Align Baby’s Body: Keep your baby’s body straight, with its tummy touching your side. The baby’s head should be near your breast, and the body should be in a comfortable, aligned position.
• Bring Baby to Your Breast: Bring your breast to your baby’s mouth, not vice versa. Aim their nose or upper lip at your nipple.
• Latch: When your baby opens their mouth wide, gently guide them to latch onto your breast. Ensure they take in as much of the areola as possible, not just the nipple.
• Adjust as Needed: Once your baby is latched, ensure you are both comfortable. Adjust your position if needed.

This position is ideal for mothers with larger breasts, those who have had a caesarean birth, or for breastfeeding twins, as it provides better control and reduces strain on the arms and neck.

4.Side-lying Position

• Lie Down Comfortably: Lie on your side with a pillow supporting your head and neck.
• Position Baby Next to You: Lay your baby on their side, facing you, so their tummy is touching yours. Keep their head in line with their body.
• Support Baby’s Head: Gently support the back of your baby’s head with your arm. Their mouth should be at breast level.
• Use Your Top Arm for Support: You can use your top arm to support your baby’s body, keeping it close to you. Their bottom and legs should be aligned with their body.
• Align Your Baby: Make sure your baby’s body is straight, with their nose and upper lip near your nipple.
• Bring Baby to Your Breast: Rather than leaning over, bring your breast to your baby’s mouth. Make sure their mouth is wide open and ready to latch.
• Latch: Gently guide your baby’s mouth to latch onto your breast, ensuring they take in most of the areola.
• Adjust for Comfort: Once your baby is latched, ensure you’re both comfortable. Adjust your position or use pillows for extra support if needed.

This position is excellent for nighttime feedings or if you’re recovering from a caesarean, as it helps you relax while breastfeeding.

5. Laid-back Position

• Lie Back Comfortably: Sit or lie back in a reclined position on a comfortable chair or bed. If needed, use pillows behind your back for support.
• Relax: Let your body relax and lean back slightly. This position works best when you’re semi-reclined so your body feels at ease.
• Position Baby on Your Chest: Place your baby on your chest, with their body facing yours. Your baby should be lying on their stomach, resting on you.
• Support Baby’s Head and Body: Support your baby’s head and neck with one hand while allowing their body to rest on you. Your baby’s head should be near your breast.
• Allow Baby to Explore: Let your baby move naturally, using their instincts to find your nipple. You may gently guide their head to your breast if needed, but allow them to latch independently.
• Latch: Once your baby opens their mouth wide, guide them to latch onto your breast. Ensure they take in a good portion of the areola, not just the nipple.
• Adjust for Comfort: Once your baby is latched, ensure you’re both comfortable. You can adjust your position or add pillows for extra support.

This position is excellent for bonding and can be especially helpful for moms who want a more relaxed breastfeeding experience, as it allows the baby to latch naturally without much effort.

6. Koala-hold (Straddle-hold)

The koala-hold (or straddle-hold) is a breastfeeding position where your baby sits upright while nursing. 

• Sit Comfortably: Sit in a chair or bed with your back supported. You can use pillows for extra comfort.
• Position Baby Upright: Hold your baby upright, with their legs straddling your waist or hip, like you’re carrying them on your side.
• Support Baby’s Bottom: Use one hand to support your baby’s bottom or back, ensuring they sit securely on your lap.
• Position Baby’s Head: With your other hand, support the back of your baby’s head, bringing it toward your breast.
• Align Baby’s Body: Make sure your baby’s body faces your breast, with their nose or upper lip at nipple level.
• Bring Baby to Your Breast: Bring your breast to your baby’s mouth, not vice versa. Make sure they open their mouth wide.
• Latch: Gently guide your baby’s mouth to latch onto your breast, ensuring they take in a good portion of the areola.
• Adjust for Comfort: Once your baby is latched, ensure you’re both comfortable. You can adjust your position if needed.

This position is great for older babies who have good head control and prefer to sit up while nursing. It provides more independence and ease for both mother and baby.

Which is the most perfect breastfeeding position?

While there are several breastfeeding positions, there isn’t one “perfect” position for every mother and baby. Each experience is unique, and what works best can vary depending on your and your baby’s comfort. It is essential to observe your baby’s feeding patterns and identify the position that helps them latch well and feed effectively. Equally, listen to your body to find the most comfortable position for you.

It’s essential to ensure that your baby latches appropriately and receives enough milk to feel satisfied, regardless of your chosen position. Our expert-led breastfeeding workshops in the UAE focus on helping you discover comfortable positions that work for you and your little one.