Have you ever seen a mom breastfeeding while corralling her older kids at the playground? Or breastfeeding while working on a laptop? Or while eating at the dinner table like it’s no big thing? My mom used to nurse me while pushing a cart down the aisle at the grocery store! You might look at these women in awe and wonder Will I ever be that comfortable with a breastfeeding position? Trust me, soon enough you’ll be one of those mamas! It just takes some practice! Take your time trying out and practicing different breastfeeding holds and positions. Remember the best position is whichever position works best for you and your baby at that feeding. Let’s review various breastfeeding positions and the benefits of each one.
Breastfeeding Holds and Positions: First, Limit Distractions and Get Comfortable
While you may be able to multitask and breastfeed in the near future, limit distractions when you’re first learning to breastfeed. Breastfeed in a location and around people with whom you feel comfortable. Particularly in the hospital and throughout the first weeks of breastfeeding, ask your partner to ensure visitors give you and your baby the privacy you desire as you learn the ropes of breastfeeding.
Then get comfy! You’ll find suggested pillow placement listed below for each breastfeeding hold/position. Do whatever is most comfortable for you. Ensure your back, neck, and arms are not straining. As you relax, your baby will also be able to relax and enjoy his meal!
Breastfeeding Holds and Positions: Next, Pick a Position
Moms use different breastfeeding positions for different reasons. Some positions put less pressure on your stomach after a C-section, some help you better see your baby’s latch, some are easier to use if you have large breasts, etc. Using a different position might put pressure on different areas of your breast and help prevent soreness or clogging of milk ducts (4).
No matter your situation, lactation consultants encourage you to learn and practice multiple positions to help you throughout your breastfeeding journey (5). Moms find different positions comfortable at different stages of breastfeeding (6). Find out what position is currently most comfortable for you!
Cross-Cradle Hold
The cross-cradle hold is also called the crossover hold, transitional hold, or modified cradle hold.
Cross-Cradle Hold: When to Use It
The cross-cradle hold is a very common beginning breastfeeding hold, because you can have good control of your breast and your baby (1). Here are some situations when the cross-cradle hold is usually recommended:
First learning to breastfeed
Having difficulty latching
Want better control of your baby’s head
Premature baby or baby has low muscle tone
Baby has weak rooting reflex or weak suck
Cross-Cradle Hold: How To Position Yourself
Sit up in a bed or comfortable chair.
Place pillows behind your back, elbows, or lap, whatever is comfortable; place a pillow on your stomach if you had a cesarean section.
Use a footstool, if you’d like.
If you’re large-breasted, you can place a rolled-up towel or blanket under your breast if you need more support.
Keep your back straight.
Hold your baby with the arm that’s on the opposite side of the breast you will offer. (If you’re breastfeeding with your right breast, hold your baby with your left arm; you will use your right hand to support your right breast.)
Place the palm of your hand behind your baby’s shoulder blades, your fingers and thumb in a V-shape, resting behind your baby’s ears to support her neck.
Bring your baby to your chest; do not bend over to bring your breast to the your baby.
Rotate your forearm so your baby’s entire body turns to you, her stomach against your stomach; baby should not have to turn her head to latch.
It is helpful if your baby “hugs” you, with her top hand over your breast, her bottom hand around your side, her body tucked under your opposite breast, her hips at your side, and her legs wrapped around you (3).
Make sure the bottoms of your baby’s feet don’t touch the side of a chair or couch (3).
Football Hold
The football hold is also called the clutch hold or rugby hold.
Football Hold: When to Use It
Cesarean section (Or want to avoid placing your baby on your abdomen)
Large breasts
Flat nipples
Baby is having trouble latching
Baby is sleepy and uninterested in eating
Premature baby or small baby
Twins
Football Hold: How To Position Yourself
Sit up in a bed or comfortable chair.
Place a pillow at your side, and lap if needed, to help support your arm and lift your baby (2).
Hold your baby with the arm that’s on the same side of the breast you will offer. (If you’re breastfeeding with your right breast, hold your baby with your right arm.)
Place the palm of your hand behind your baby’s shoulder blades, your fingers and thumb in a V-shape, resting behind your baby’s ears to support his neck.
Place your baby beside you, along the same side of your body as the breast you will use.
Tuck your baby’s body up against your side with his head level with your breast, his nose in front of your nipple, and his bottom resting on the pillow near your elbow (6).
Your baby’s legs will stretch out straight behind you. If you are sitting in a chair, rest your baby’s bottom against the back of the chair and angle his legs so his feet do not touch anything (1; 5).
Laid-Back Hold
The Laid-Back Hold is also called the Reclining Position or Ventral Hold.
Laid-Back Hold: When to Use It
The laid-back hold is an ideal position for all babies (1). Use this position if you want to try baby-led latching, a breastfeeding approach that allows your baby’s natural instincts to find and latch on to your breast.
Newborn baby
Baby-led latching
Baby is having difficulty breastfeeding with mother-led approaches
Laid-Back Hold: How To Position Yourself
Lay back comfortably at about a 45 degree angle.
Use pillows for support.
Hold your baby on top of your body, skin to skin, with her cheek near or on your breast (3).
Relax as you wait for your baby to show signs that she is looking for your breast.
Support your baby’s head, neck, and body as she squirms or crawls down to your breast.
When your baby’s chin reaches your breast, she will open her mouth and latch on to the breast (1).
Side-Lying Hold
The side-lying hold is also called the lying down position or relaxed position.
Side-Lying Hold: When to Use It
The side-lying hold is a great position if, for various reasons, you don’t want to sit up. This position can sometimes be hard for you to do by yourself in the beginning (1) and usually requires some assistance. It gets easier after 4-6 weeks once your baby has better head control (2). Here are some reasons you may want to try the side-lying hold:
Nighttime feedings
Cesarean section or otherwise feel unwell
Flat nipples
Baby is sleepy and having a hard time staying awake while eating
Side-Lying Hold: How To Position Yourself
Lie down on your side, keeping your back and hips in a straight line.
Place your baby lying down next to you, tummy to tummy.
Put pillows under your head, behind your baby, behind your back, or between your knees, whatever is comfortable and supportive.
Place your arm under your baby with his head on the crook of your elbow (4).
Support your breast with your free hand (5).
Bring your baby close enough so his face can touch your breast, his nose in line with your nipple (1).
To change sides, sit baby up to burp him. Hold him flat against your chest and rollover on your back and to your other side. Position him at your other breast (4).
Keep your bedding away from your baby as bedding is a suffocation hazard (3).
Cradle Hold
The cradle hold is also called the Madonna hold, conventional cradle hold, or traditional cradle hold.
Cradle Hold: When to Use It
The cradle hold is the most common daytime position. Although it’s a very common hold, lactation consultants suggest you wait until your baby has a little more head control before using this position frequently (3).
Daytime feedings
Works well once you have established breastfeeding
Cradle Hold: How To Position Yourself
The cradle hold position is similar to the cross-cradle hold, except you’ll support your baby in the crook of the arm that’s on the same side you’ll be nursing (5).
Sit up in a bed or comfortable chair.
Place pillows behind your back, elbows, or lap, whatever is comfortable.
Use a footstool, if you’d like.
If you’re large-breasted, you can place a rolled-up towel or blanket under your breast if you need more support.
Keep your back straight.
Hold your baby with the arm that’s on the same side as the breast you will offer. (If you’re breastfeeding with your right breast, hold your baby with your right arm.)
The base of your baby’s head is in the crook of your arm.
Your forearm supports your baby’s back.
Your hand cups your baby’s bottom or thighs.
Bring your baby to your chest; do not bend over to bring your breast to the your baby.
Rotate your forearm so your baby’s entire body turns to you, her stomach against your stomach; baby should not have to turn her head to latch (6; 5).
Breastfeeding Holds and Positions: You’re Ready to Latch!
Once you’re in a comfortable position, your baby is ready to latch! The NHS has a really great resource about proper latch, with step by step descriptions and even a video
Be patient with yourself and your baby as you learn which breastfeeding holds and positions work best for you. As you breastfeed, remember your body is creating the nutrients and nourishment your little one needs to grow! You are amazing! And soon enough you’ll be one of those superhuman mamas taking on playgrounds, work, dinner, or even supermarkets, all while breastfeeding.
Kopa Birth’s online childbirth classes allow you to prepare for a natural childbirth in the comfort of your own home, 24/7. Enroll today in our free online childbirth class to learn more about preparing for natural childbirth.
Huggins, K. (2005). The Nursing Mother’s Companion (Fifth Edition). Boston, MA: The Harvard Common Press.
Injoy Health Education. 2016. Understanding Breastfeeding: Your Guide to a Healthy Start (Seventh Edition). Longmont, CO: InJoy Birth & Parenting Education.
Meek, J.Y., Yu, W., American Academy of Pediatrics. (2011). New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding (Second Edition). New York, NY: Bantam Books Trade Paperback.
Rosenthal, M.S. (2000). The Breastfeeding Sourcebook (Third Edition). Lincolnwood, IL: Lowell House.
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I’m a registered nurse, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, and the mother of 7. I help women realize their dream of a natural, intimate, and empowering hospital birth.
Have you ever seen a mom breastfeeding while corralling her older kids at the playground? Or breastfeeding while working on a laptop? Or while eating at the dinner table like
