Right Positions for Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your baby while providing essential nutrients for their growth and development. However, finding the right positions for breastfeeding is crucial for both comfort and effectiveness. In this post, we will explore the best breastfeeding positions that can help ensure a good latch, prevent discomfort, and make feeding time a relaxed and enjoyable experience for both you and your little one. Whether you’re a new mum or looking for tips to improve your breastfeeding journey, these positions will support you in nurturing your baby with confidence.

 

Right Positions for Breastfeeding 

• Cuddle Position (Cradle Position)

This is the most well-known breastfeeding position which is also called the “cradle position” because of the way the mother holds the baby. In order to experience the cuddle position;

1. Sit in a place where you can lean your back on.
2. If possible, put an item under your feet so that it can raise your feet off the ground. Thus, your baby can stand closer to your chest when they are in your arms.
3. Lean the baby on your arm on whichever side of the breast you will feed.
4. Support the baby’s back and butt with the arm and hand you are holding your baby.
5. With the other hand you don’t use, ensure a good latch (how the baby fastens onto the breast).
6. Do not bend over the baby as their face and body are facing on you.
7. You can put a pillow under the baby to prevent bending over them.

However, this position is more suitable for mothers who have had vaginal delivery. For mothers with abdominal delivery, this technique may not be an ideal choice. Because in the cuddle position, the baby can put pressure on the sutures which may cause pain for mothers. Also, on the other hand, this leads the baby to use their neck muscles to reach the breast. However, newborn babies may have difficulty in this position for the first 1-1.5 months because their muscles are not strong enough yet. Therefore, it is recommended to try the other techniques until your abdominal delivery sutures heal and your baby’s neck muscles develop.

 

• Reversed Cuddle Position (Cross-cradle Position)

This position is similar to the cuddle one as the mother’s posture is the same as the cuddle position. This one is called the “cross cradle position” because of the way the mother holds the baby. In order to experience the reversed cuddle position;

1. Grasp the baby with the arm on the opposite of whichever side of the breast you will feed.
2. Support the baby’s head with your hand.
3. Hold your baby in a way that they are facing on you and their stomach is aligned with yours.
4. Support the baby’s back with the inner part of your arm, while supporting their neck and head with your hand and fingers.
5. With the other hand you don’t use, ensure a good latch.

This position is the most ideal one for newborns and babies who have difficulty in moving their heads closer to the breast. With this technique, you won’t need to bend down since your baby’s head stands closer to the breast with the support of your hand.

 

• Side-lying Position

This one is ideal for mothers with abdominal delivery or exhaustion. In order to experience the side-lying position;

1. Lie on a bed or a long sofa sideway.
2. Lie down on the side of the breast you will feed the baby.
3. Thus, your baby can stand closer and reach your breast more easily.
4. Put the baby to bed in a way they are facing on you and sideways.
5. Support the baby’s head with your other arm, or you can use a breastfeeding pillow to support them.
6. This technique can also be applied by supporting your baby’s head and back with your arm under, while you are standing in a semi-lying position by supporting your back with a pillow.

 

• Armpit Position

This technique is one of the preferences of mothers with abdominal delivery. It is also suitable for breastfeeding a premature baby. In order to experience the armpit position;

1. Sit on a sofa or chair.
2. Take the baby under your arm by bending it from the elbow, and support your baby’s back with a pillow.
3. Hold your baby at your waist level with their face is facing on you.
4. Support the baby’s head with the palm of your hand, while grasping your breast with the other one.
5. In this way, your baby won’t press your stomach as they lie down with their feet behind.
6. Also, this method is the most suitable position for mothers who have twins as it allows you to breastfeed two babies at the same time.

 

Benefits of the Nursing Pillow

• Helps your baby to settle in the right breastfeeding position.
• When you breastfeed your baby with the correct techniques, you will experience fewer problems like vomiting or taking the milk out.
• Thanks to the pillow‘s height, you don’t need to lean over your baby to provide a good latch and breastfeed properly. 

 

Visit ebebek.co.uk to find the best nursing pillows & discover our Breastfeeding Guide for everything you need to learn about breastfeeding in detail. 

 

Don’t forget, a single drop of breast milk means countless benefits!