Finding a breastfeeding position that feels comfortable and helps your baby latch well can make a big difference, especially in the early days. Every mom-and-baby pair is different, so what works beautifully for one feeding may not feel right for another.
Some moms use the same breastfeeding position every time, while others switch positions depending on their baby’s age, latch, milk flow, recovery, or comfort. It often takes a little experimentation to find what works best for you and your baby.
Below, we’ll walk through basic positioning steps, seven breastfeeding positions to try, latch tips, breast support techniques, and when to reach out for extra help.
Key Takeaways
- Different breastfeeding positions can support different needs, including latch, comfort, milk flow, reflux, and C-section recovery.
- Cross-cradle and football hold can be helpful when you and baby are still learning to latch.
- Side-lying may help when you need to rest while feeding.
- Laid-back and koala positions may be helpful for some babies when milk flow feels fast.
- If breastfeeding is painful or baby is struggling to transfer milk, reach out to an IBCLC or healthcare provider.
Basic Steps for Breastfeeding Positioning
A few basic positioning principles can help make breastfeeding more comfortable and effective for both you and your baby:
1. Pick a Comfortable Spot
Find a comfortable and supportive feeding spot. This could be a rocking chair in your nursery, an end spot on your couch, your bed, or anywhere else that gives good back support and that you feel most comfortable in.1
Related: Breastfeeding Discomforts and How To Manage Them
2. Choose a Feeding Position
Pick the breastfeeding position that works best for you. Again, it might take some time to figure out what is most comfortable and allows you and your baby to breastfeed most successfully. Different feeding positions offer different advantages and support depending on what you and your baby need.1,3
3. Keep Your Baby Close
Bring baby up to your breast and keep them close to you while feeding. No matter your position, your baby should be close to you. This may mean using a breastfeeding pillow or a rolled-up blanket to raise your baby higher and bring them closer to your breast. If baby is too far from you, latching will be difficult, and you could end up with sore nipples.1
4. Check for a Good Latch
Even with good positioning, you still need a proper latch for the baby to effectively transfer milk from your breast. It can take some practice for them to latch well. It’s always a good idea to contact a lactation consultant for support with latching.1,3
Related: How to Increase Milk Supply: 22 Ways to Boost Breast Milk Production
7 Breastfeeding Positions To Try
The best breastfeeding position is one that feels comfortable, supports a good latch, and helps your baby transfer milk effectively. From the side-lying and football hold to the cross-cradle and koala hold, here are seven basic breastfeeding positions that moms can use:
1. Cross-Cradle Hold
The cross-cradle breastfeeding hold is a good starting position and is commonly used with newborn babies. It allows the mom to control baby’s head and support her breast simultaneously. This added control can be especially helpful while your baby is learning to latch. Some may find it helpful to use a breastfeeding pillow when using the cross-cradle hold position. This can help you bring baby closer to your breast.1,2,3
In the cross-cradle breastfeeding hold, the baby’s body is lying across the mom’s abdomen, with mom’s hand (the hand opposite the current feeding breast) supporting the back of the baby’s neck and arm supporting the baby’s body. Mom can use her free hand on the breastfeeding side to hold and support her breast.
Related: Benefits of a Nursing Pillow for Feeding
2. Cradle Hold
The cradle breastfeeding position is very common among breastfeeding moms.3
A cradle position consists of the baby lying across the mom’s abdomen, with her feeding-side arm supporting baby under her back and her hand toward the baby’s bottom. This position is effective, but new mothers may find they don’t have as much control over their baby as they do in other breastfeeding positions. However, the cradle position may work well as baby grows.1,3
3. Football Hold
The football hold, also known as the clutch hold, is very helpful during breastfeeding because of the control it provides. Infants born prematurely or those who struggle with head control may benefit from this position. The football hold breastfeeding position is also a good option for mothers who have had a cesarean section, as it lets them avoid putting baby on the incision, allowing mom to heal.1,3
The football hold breastfeeding technique requires the mom to place her baby at her side, with the baby’s bottom facing back. Mom’s feeding side arm is under baby, supporting the back and neck. Mom’s free hand is then available to support her breast while baby is feeding.1,3
Related: Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-Section
4. Side-Lying Position
Giving birth is no easy task and can leave your body feeling exhausted and sore. The side-lying breastfeeding position allows mom to lie down while feeding. Sitting may bring discomfort to a new mom who recently gave birth, making the side-lying breastfeeding position ideal for mom and baby initially.1,3
Many moms also find this position helpful during overnight feedings because it allows them to rest while nursing.
The side-lying breastfeeding position is just as it sounds: mom and baby are both lying on their sides, facing each other.1,3 Some moms may find that using a pillow or rolled blanket behind baby’s back can help keep them from rolling.1
5. Laid-Back Breastfeeding
In the laid-back breastfeeding position, the baby will be chest-to-chest with mom as she lies back, reclined. The laid-back feeding position is useful for mothers with a strong letdown. If a mother has a strong letdown, it can be difficult for the baby to latch and breastfeed due to the amount and rate at which they receive their mother’s breast milk at the start of feeding. Laying back allows gravity to help slow down the speed at which baby receives milk.4
If a mother and baby are doing skin-to-skin contact after birth, the laid-back breastfeeding position could be a good first feeding position to try. Skin-to-skin after birth has been shown to promote breastfeeding. When a baby is on mom’s chest soon after birth, they may even crawl up to reach mom’s breast to feed.3
Related: Breastfeeding Essentials Every New Mom Should Have
6. Koala Hold
The koala-hold breastfeeding position, or the seated straddle position, is a more “upright” feeding position.3,4 When using the koala hold for infants, younger babies will need extra support in this position.
In this position, the baby will straddle mom’s leg, facing her. Mom will use her arm to support the baby’s back and neck/head area while feeding. The koala hold may be beneficial for babies with reflux, swallowing disorders, and breathing disorders. It’s also a helpful position if the mom has a strong letdown, due to the upright position the baby is in while feeding.4
7. Breastfeeding in a Carrier
Babywearing has been practiced for generations and offers many benefits for both babies and parents. When wearing a baby in a carrier, a mom can more easily go about her day while having her hands available and the baby comfortable right on her.7
When mom and baby have successfully learned to breastfeed and are comfortable with babywearing in a carrier, they may even breastfeed while in the carrier.7 There are many different baby carriers on the market to choose from. If one carrier does not feel comfortable, another style may be a better fit for you and your baby.
If you breastfeed in a carrier, make sure baby’s face stays visible, their airway remains clear, and you reposition them safely after feeding.
Breastfeeding Positions Video
Seeing these positions demonstrated can make them easier to understand and try yourself. Here’s a helpful video showing these breastfeeding positions in action:
How To Get a Good Breastfeeding Latch
A good latch is an important part of successful breastfeeding. It allows baby to transfer milk effectively and will help mom steer free of sore nipples.4 While this article focuses on breastfeeding positions, these basic latch tips can help support comfortable and effective feeding:
- Bring your baby to you, not your breast to your baby.5
- While supporting your breast, use your nipple to touch your baby’s lips to get them to open their mouth wide for latching. When your baby’s mouth is wide open, guide them onto your breast to help them get a deep latch. The nipple should be moving toward your baby’s palate.4,5
- Keep your baby close to your breast and well-supported. Using a breastfeeding pillow or rolled blankets may help.
After latching, observe your baby. When observing a good latch, you should see:3,4
- Wide flanged lips around the breast
- Baby is close with their chin touching the breast and their nose slightly away from the breast for easy breathing
- Baby actively sucking and swallowing breast milk
Related: How To Get a Better Breastfeeding Latch
Breast Support Techniques
Lactation consultants are an excellent resource for all things breastfeeding. While you’re in the hospital, asking for assistance from a lactation consultant can be very beneficial if they are available on-site. They can show you supportive techniques and help you find the most comfortable position for you and your baby to breastfeed in. If you cannot see a lactation consultant while you’re in the hospital and need extra assistance, consult with your and your baby’s healthcare team. They may be able to offer support and education or refer you to a local lactation consultant.
When starting your breastfeeding experience with your newborn, you may find the most success with feeding positions that offer more control while you and your baby learn to feed together. An excellent place to start when breastfeeding is to try the cross-cradle and football holds. These positions allow mom to have an extra hand to support her breast. Here are some other techniques you can use:
The “C” or “U” Hold
Using the “C” hold or “U” hold on the breast can provide extra support and control over mom’s breast. The “C” hold is when mom’s hand “cups” around her breast in the form of a “C.” Her thumb and fingers should be back, behind her areola, with the thumb above the areola and fingers below.3 This hold can be helpful when latching, allowing the baby to get a deep and successful latch.5
The “U” hold is similar, but the hand forms a “U” around the breast, with the mom’s thumb on the outside and fingers on the inside, creating the “U.” This will also allow mom to maintain control and support her breast while feeding.1
The Flipple Technique
Another breastfeeding support technique is the “flipple.” The flipple technique can help you obtain a deeper latched position. Starting with the “C” hold, mom will use her thumb to push back on her breast, lifting her nipple upward and away from her baby. Mom brings the baby to her breast, and as the baby is about to latch with a wide-open mouth, Mom releases her nipple. This simple flipple technique will help the baby get a deep latch on their mother’s breast.6
Breastfeeding Positions and Habits To Avoid
There is no single breastfeeding position that works best for every mom and baby. With that said, as a mom, you will feel what works best for you and your baby. You want to avoid positions that are uncomfortable, cause pain, and do not allow your baby to latch effectively. Always ensure your baby is well-supported and bring them to your breast. Avoid hunching over to bring your breast to your baby. This will lead to a difficult time latching as well as a sore back for you.5
The best breastfeeding position is the one that helps you feel comfortable and allows your baby to latch deeply and transfer milk well. For some moms, that may be cross-cradle or football hold in the early days. For others, side-lying, laid-back, koala hold, or another position may work better.
If breastfeeding feels painful, your nipples are sore or damaged, your baby seems frustrated at the breast, or you are worried about milk transfer, reach out to an IBCLC or your healthcare provider. A little hands-on support can make a big difference as you and your baby learn what works best.
