Let’s face it. Once you start breastfeeding, it becomes a part of your daily life for several months to a few years. Sometimes it feels like it is all I ever do during the day. You have to admit, as sweet and adorable as it is to watch your baby snuggle up to you, it can also be exhausting and painful. So why not make it a bit more comfortable for both of you? Here are my top favorite breastfeeding positions and some tips on how to make them more comfortable for both you and baby.
The Cradle Hold
There are two types of breastfeeding positions that I hear about most often. The cradle hold and the cross cradle hold.
The cradle hold position involves holding baby so that you are chest to chest. Baby’s head should be cradled near your elbow, with your forearm supporting his back and neck. Your other arm can be placed underneath his backside to support his bottom. This position is great for when baby is both brand new and when they are out of the infancy stage. It allows you to provide as much support to baby as you need, whether it is with both arms or just one.
The Cross Cradle Hold
The cross cradle hold is a similar position to the cradle hold, but involves the opposite arm. The hand supports baby’s head. The forearm supports baby’s back so that his feet are cradled in the nook of your elbow. You can wrap your other arm under the supporting arm to provide a more secure hold. This is a particularly helpful position during the infancy stage, while baby is still learning to latch and suck. When they are so little it helps to have one hand free to cup your breast while the other arm supports baby as he feeds.
I often notice that while using both the cradle and cross cradle positions without support, I feel one or both shoulders tense up. You can make both the cradle hold and the cross cradle hold more comfortable by simply sliding pillows under each elbow for support. You can also try a nursing pillow such as a Boppy, to support both your baby and your arms. I find pillows give you more positional freedom as baby grows, but a nursing pillow is useful during the infancy stage. Either way, it is important remind yourself to relax your shoulders to avoid neck and back tightness later on.
The Side-Lying Position
The side-lying position is by far my favorite breastfeeding position, because I find it to be the most comfortable. It allows for more snuggling because you are lying next to baby, and his kissable head is right within reach. In this position, you are lying on your side facing your baby. Line up your nipple with baby’s mouth for an easy latch. For example, if you are lying on your right side with baby facing you, line up your right nipple with his mouth. Use pillows to support your neck and back or rest your head on your hand.
Some caution should be taken when using this position, especially if you choose to use it during night feedings. I found it to be the most comfortable during the infancy stage while my son was sharing our room. However, I also found it to be the most sleep friendly position. I would often fall asleep while feeding him! If you are not prepared to co-sleep with your baby or are not comfortable doing so, don’t use this position at night. It can be just as useful, relaxing and cuddly when tried during the day.
Some Other Useful Breastfeeding Positions
- Football Hold or Clutch Hold: This position is useful if you have twins, a premature or smaller infant, you had a c-section, or your breasts are on the larger side. In this position you literally hold baby like a football, with his body facing you and his legs tucked under your arm. The hand of that same arm should be supporting baby’s head.
- Dangle Feeding Position: This position is rather unique, and I have always had trouble when attempting it. However, it is said to help mothers who struggle with clogged ducts (ouch!). This position involves being on your hands and knees and actually “dangling” your breast over your baby’s mouth. Your baby lies under you and feeds from there. Their body can be facing any direction while lying flat on their back. Changing the direction their nose is pointing can help with releasing clogged ducts. It is best to position baby so that their nose is pointing toward the clogged duct so milk will be drawn from the affected area.
General Tips for Better Positioning
- While feeding, make sure baby is chest to chest and facing you from nose to toes. It is harder for them to feed if their body is turned away while their head is facing you.
- Bring baby to your breast, not your breast to your baby. This helps prevent too much hunching over, and therefore less neck and back pain.
- If you think your baby is not getting enough during a feeding, try sitting up and slightly forward for a faster flow. If you have an over-supply and baby is choking up, lean back slightly to slow the flow.
- Look for a small triangle of space under baby’s chin while they are feeding. You should be able to see them swallowing. If their chin is tucked in it is harder to swallow.
- Straddle baby’s legs with the arm that is supporting them. This can make them more relaxed and comfortable.
Happy Feeding!
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