◆ Remember to position yourself and your baby with pillows, if you need them. Make sure your arms and back are well supported so you don’t put added strain on your muscles. A pillow in your lap will help to support your baby at the level of your breast.
◆ Get close to your baby by unbundling her.
◆ No matter what position you use, hold your baby in one arm and support your breast with your other hand. Place your thumb on the upper part of your breast well behind the areola, and your fingers and the palm of your hand underneath the breast away from the areola. Your hand should gently support the breast and form a “C” shape around it. Try not to change the shape of the breast in any way.
Cradle hold
This is commonly used when you are comfortable with breastfeeding.
◆ Support your baby at breast level with a pillow in your lap.
◆ Wrap your arm around your baby so his head is just below the bend of your arm, and the rest of your arm and hand supports his lower body.
◆ Hold your baby so he is facing you (tummy-to-mummy)and his nose is across from your left nipple.
◆ Keep your baby’s ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line.
◆ Place his lower arm around your side.
◆ Make sure your baby’s head is tilted back slightly as you bring him onto the breast.
◆ Bring your baby to the breast chin and jaw first.
◆ Support your breast with your free hand using the “C” hold. It is also okay for you not to hold your breast.
Cross-cradle hold (transitional hold)
Many moms find this position comfortable when learning to breastfeed. It also works well with a smaller baby.
◆ Support your baby at breast level with a pillow in your lap.
◆ Using your right hand, place your thumb behind your baby’s ear and your fingers behind his other ear. His head, neck and shoulders will be supported by the palm of your hand and his body will rest on your forearm.
◆ Hold your baby so he is facing you (tummy-to-mummy) his nose across from your left nipple.
◆ Make sure your baby’s head is tilted back slightly as you bring him onto the breast.
◆ Bring your baby to the breast chin and jaw first.
◆ Support your left breast with your left hand in
◆ You can also use this position to breastfeed your baby on your right breast. Hold your baby in your left hand in the same way as above and support your right breast with your right hand.
Football hold
Most moms find this position comfortable if they had a Caesarean births, has large breasts, have flat nipples or are nursing a small or premature infant or twins. It also works well if you are learning to breastfeed.
◆ Sit either in a bed or an armchair with a pillow behind your back, one under your arm, and one across your lap.
◆ Hold your baby’s shoulders with your right hand. Your fingers support the weight of your baby’s head. Your baby’s bottom rests on the pillow under your arm with his legs against the back of the chair or bed.
◆ His nose should be in front of your right nipple, his body should be snuggled close to your side.
◆ Support and offer your breast with your left hand using the “C” hold. Your baby will come onto the breast from below, chin and jaw first.
◆ Hold your baby in your left hand to breastfeed him from your left breast. Support and offer your breast with your right hand, using the “C” hold
Side-lying
This is a good position if you have a painful episiotomy*, if you want to rest during the day or night feeding, or if you’ve had a Cesarean birth. Some mothers find this position difficult at first. You may want some help to learn this
position.
◆ Keeping your baby’s neck and body in your dominant hand, move your baby to the football hold for the second breast
◆ Lie on your left side with your head supported by 1– 2 pillows, a pillow behind your back and one between your bent knees.
◆ Lay your baby on his right side, with his nose at nipple level, and nose, chin, tummy and knees touching you.
◆ Keep his ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line.
◆ If needed, place a folded towel under your baby to bring him to nipple level, and a rolled towel behind your baby to keep him from rolling backwards.
*adapted from The Breastfeeding Handbook 2010. Gov. of Newfoundland and Labrador
