Positioning & Nursing Holds

There are four positions that are commonly used for breastfeeding an infant. They are:

• Cradle Hold
• Cross Cradle Hold
• Football Hold
• Side-Lying Position

Mothers and babies may find others that they like. A mother should choose a position where she and the baby are comfortable. Before nursing a baby, women are encouraged to wash their hands and to position themselves comfortably in bed or a chair. They may need to put a pillow on their lap to help support the baby; holding the baby with one arm can be very tiring.

Cradle Hold

Perhaps the most frequently used breastfeeding position is the cradle or cuddle hold.  Whether you use a chair or are sitting in the bed, make sure your arm is well supported so it doesn't become tired before your baby is finished nursing.

1. Place your baby across your stomach, tummy to tummy.  His or her face and knees should be close into, and facing, your body.
2. His or her head should be in the bend of your elbow, with his or her mouth directly in front of your nipple.
3. His or her body should be in a straight line from his or her ear to the shoulder and to the hip.  You can tuck the lower arm around your waist, so that it is out of the way.
4. If you have difficulty feeding your baby in the cradle hold, try the football or clutch hold. 

This position works well:

• If you find it too painful to sit
• If you want to rest when you breastfeed
• If you have large breasts
• If you had a cesarean birth

Cross Cradle Hold

The cross cradle, or transverse, hold is another good position to use if you are having trouble latching on, or if you are feeding a small or premature baby.  Because you have more control of your baby's head and can see the latch on more clearly, it may be a better position that the cradle hold.

Your baby's position will be the same as in the cradle/crutch hold, but you will be holding your baby in the arm opposite the breast from which she will latch onto.  As in the cradle hold, make sure your baby is at the level of your breast, with his or her body turned toward you.  You may be able to tuck his or her bottom into the crook of your arm.

This position works well:

• If you are learning to breastfeed
• If you have a small baby

Football Hold

Lie your baby beside you.  You might like to put your baby on pillows to support their head and your arm.  With his or head in the palm of your hand, his or her back will lay on your inner forearm.  Tuck his or her feet slightly behind you.

This position works well:

• If you are learning to breastfeed
• If you have a small baby
• If you have large breasts
• If you have flat or sore nipples
• If you had a cesarean birth

Side-Lying Position

1. The lying down position is very useful, especially if you sleep with your baby.
2. Lie on one side and support your head with pillows so that you are comfortable.  You might like one of those body pillows which are very long.  You can get them at stores such as Wal-Mart for about ten dollars.  You can also bend one arm under your head and use the other hand to support your breast.
3. Line the baby up with his or her tummy to yours.  Your nipple should be opposite his or her mouth.  If your baby is still very young, you might want to place a pillow or rolled up blanket behind his or her back to keep your baby from rolling back.
4. Many mothers like to reposition themselves on their other side to feed from the other breast.  You can cuddle your baby on your chest, support his or her head and gently roll yourselves over.  Or, you can just lean further over with the upper side instead of getting up and rolling over to switch sides.  Make sure your baby is still positioned well in relation to your breast.

 This position works well:

• After you are comfortable with breastfeeding

More Position Tips

As the baby grows, her nursing positions may vary and become more "creative". Some examples include:

• Back lying-- where the infant is on her tummy on your chest with her face level with your breast. Support her head and body with your arm.
• Baby sitting on mom’s lap, tummy to tummy.
• Baby standing on mom’s lap or the chair.

Creativity with positioning is fine as long as it does not create nipple soreness for mom. Always be sure that the baby’s head is relaxed and in a flexed position. There should be a straight line from infant’s ear and shoulder to hip. The baby’s head needs to be straight at the breast.