Breastfeeding is a way to nourish your baby and an opportunity for bonding and creating a strong connection.
One important aspect for successful breastfeeding is finding the right comfortable position for you and your baby.
As there are a few breastfeeding positions with different benefits and considerations, we went ahead and explored some of the positions to help you!
Read on to find our what works best for you and your baby.
Different Breastfeeding Positions to Try for a Comfortable Nursing Experience
Cradle Hold
The cradle hold is the most common breastfeeding position. It involves holding your baby's head in the crook of your arm while their body faces you.
Use the same arm as the breast you are nursing from, and support your baby's neck, shoulders, and back with your hand and forearm.
With your other hand, cup your breast and place your thumb above your nipple at the spot where your baby's nose touches your breast. Lightly compress your breast so your baby can latch.
The cradle position allows for close eye contact and easy access to the breast. It works well for older babies who can hold their heads up independently.
Cross-Cradle Hold
Like the cradle hold, the cross-position provides more control and support for both you and your baby, which is ideal for early breastfeeding weeks.
Use the opposite arm from your nursing breast to support your baby's head and neck, lightly resting your thumb and index finger at your baby's ear level.
Support your breast with the other hand from the underside in a U-shaped hold. Cradle your baby close to your breast to guide your baby's mouth to your nipple.
This position is helpful for newborns, premature babies, or babies who need extra support and guidance during breastfeeding.
Football Hold
In the football hold, also known as the clutch or underarm hold, your baby is positioned at your side, tucked under your arm like a football.
Position your baby at your side, facing you, with his legs tucked under your arm on the same side as the breast you're nursing from. Support your baby's head with your hand and use a pillow or cushion to lift your baby's head tip to the level of your breast.
Mothers with a forceful milk ejection reflex (let down) can benefit from the football hold, as it enables babies to feed more comfortably and facilitates their ability to take milk smoothly.
The football position is particularly useful for mothers with a cesarean birth or twins.
Side-Lying Position
The side-lying position is some of the best nursing positions for nighttime feedings or when you need to rest during breastfeeding.
Like its name, you and your baby lie on your sides facing each other. Check to make sure your baby's ear, shoulder, and hip are in a straight line.
Use pillows or cushions behind your back to support and maintain a comfortable position. Your baby's chest should face your chest, and your baby's mouth should be level with your nipple.
This is a good position for mothers recovering from a C-section, as it allows them to rest while breastfeeding.
Laid-Back or Biological Nurturing Position
Inspired by biological nursing, the laid-back position involves reclining in a semi-reclined position and letting your baby's instincts guide the feeding.
In this position, the mother reclines in a comfortable, semi-reclined position, and the baby is placed on their chest or abdomen with his head near her breast.
This position allows for skin-to-skin contact and encourages your baby to find its way to the breast.
Laid-back breastfeeding is helpful for babies who have difficulty latching or maintaining a latch, as it uses gravity to aid in positioning.
Additional tips!
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Ensure that both you and your baby are comfortable and well-supported during feeding.
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Align your baby's head, neck, and body to facilitate easy swallowing and breathing.
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Position your baby's mouth to cover as much of the areola as possible to promote a deep latch and avoid sore nipples.
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Be patient! It might take a couple of attempts before your baby opens his mouth wide enough to latch onto your breast properly.
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Work with a lactation consultant to experiment with different breastfeeding positions to find what works best for you and your baby.
Enjoy a Smoother Breastfeeding Journey with Baby Express!
Baby Express understands the needs of working mothers and strives to make breastfeeding more accessible and convenient.
When you choose Baby Express, you receive more than just a breast pump. You can also rest assured of convenience and customisability with our quick and hassle-free servicing & repair and stellar after-sales customer service.
Baby Express' FREE 12-Months Lactation Consultant Services
But that's not all - each breast pump purchase gives you exclusive access to our breastfeeding program. This subscription-based service provides personalised consultation to address any breastfeeding concerns for all Baby Express users.
Our company holds a unique position as the only provider of this service in Singapore. Comparable services often come at a considerable cost, approximately $150 or more per hour. That being said, we are thrilled to extend this service to you as our priority, completely free of charge.
Ready to experience the Baby Express difference? Contact us @ +65 97207 388 today!
You can also visit any of our three trusted retailers - Mummys Market, Bove, or Little Baby - or conveniently order online and have your purchase delivered right to your doorstep.