Best Breast/Chest-feeding Positions

February 1, 2023 Women
There is no right or wrong breast/chest-feeding position. However, there may be positions that are right or wrong for you and your baby. The best position is one that helps you get a good latch. A good latch should be comfortable for mom and allow baby to suck and nurse well.
Use The Following Tips for All Breast/Chest-feeding Positions:
GET COMFORTABLE
Find a relaxed position that you can stay in for a while. Use pillows to support your back and arms and to bring baby up to reach your breast/chest.

Support your legs by using a footstool, coffee table or a few books.

GET BABY CLOSE TO YOU
You may need help to position your baby and to help you place pillows for support, especially if you have had a C-section.
WHEN YOUR BABY IS POSITIONED CORRECTLY:
  • Their head and chin should be facing the breast/chest.
  • Their mouth should be opened wide.
  • Their tongue should be over their lower gum, between their lower lip and your breast/chest.
  • Their nose and cheeks may gently touch the breast/chest.
  • Their chin should press firmly into the breast/chest.
  • Your nipple should be at the back of their mouth.

If it hurts to latch baby on, gently remove your baby from the breast/chest and TRY AGAIN.

Breast/Chest-feeding Holds

FOOTBALL HOLD

This position is also called the underarm hold or clutch hold. It is a common position used for newborns and is usually used only until a baby is latching on well. For this position, baby is supported by a pillow and tucked in on the same side that you are nursing on. With the baby facing you, place their body under your arm and cradle their head with your hand. Baby should be at breast/chest height.

Use your free hand to support your breast.

  • Have just had a c-section
  • Have fast let down reflexes (forceful let down)
  • Have premature or small babies
  • Have large breasts
CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

This position is for newborns and is used only until your baby has learned to latch on correctly. It was developed to give additional support to “wobbly headed” newborns and allows mom complete control during feeding. In this position, the mother feeding her baby on the left breast would use her left hand to support her breast, and her right arm and hand to support the baby. Your baby is supported on a pillow across your lap to help raise them to your nipple level.

This is a great position for moms who:

  • Have problems with latch
    (latching on problems)
  • Have inverted nipples
  • Have premature or small babies
  • Have large breasts

CRADLE HOLD

The cradle position is sometimes not used until after the first few weeks of breast/chest-feeding is complete. This is because a 2 to 4 week old baby is better able to aim and control their head and neck, allowing them to latch on easier. In this position, baby lies on their side, tummy against mom’s tummy, supported by her left arm while they nurse on the left breast. The mother may put her right hand under baby’s bottom, or use it to support or adjust their head. The baby’s head needs to be able to tip back so they can open their mouth wide. You will need to bring the baby up to the breast/chest from underneath.

This is a great position for moms who:

  • Have full term babies
  • Have older babies

SIDE-LYING POSITION

This position is for newborns and older babies. It’s the easiest position for many moms. It’s also a favorite because it allows mom to rest during feeding. With mom lying on her side and baby lying on their side facing her, she can position one hand behind baby’s back and bottom to bring them in close.

The baby’s nose needs to be at nipple level so that as mom draws the baby to her by exerting pressure on their back, baby tips their head back as they latch on. Use pillows behind your back and behind or between your knees to get comfortable.

This is a great position for moms who:

  • Have just had a c-section
  • Have fast let down reflexes
    (forceful let down)
  • Have premature or small babies
  • Have large breasts
With time, patience, and practice, you and your baby can find a comfortable position that works best for the two of you. If you have questions or concerns about feeding your baby, contact WIC – they are there to help and support you!
Side-Lying-Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle-hold-1

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football-hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE-HOLD​

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position