Breastfeeding Positions

The best nursing positions (breastfeeding holds):

The cradle hold breastfeeding position

The cradle hold position is the most common nursing position of them all.

This position is best for the older baby who already has control over his head and neck and can latch on easily.

If you want to try this position with a newborn you will need baby’s head resting on your forearm, you will need to keep baby close with skin on skin contact. The more common and easy breastfeeding positions for newborns are the football hold and cross cradle hold explained below.

Another way a mom can cradle hold a newborn while breastfeeding is with a sling or pouch, which is called the sling cradle hold. Read more about baby wearing here. Holding baby in a sling is more convenient and most of the times much more comfortable. Read more on how to breastfeed a baby in a sling.

Step by step cradle hold for newborn

- Make sure that your back is supported

- Put the base of baby’s head in the crook of your arm

- Tuck baby’s lower arm under his body.

- Baby’s tummy should be against your tummy. His face and knees should be facing your body.

- Use a U hold to hold the breast, when positioning your breasts, make sure that your fingers are not touching your areola, this is so that they do not get in the way when baby is trying to latch on.

- Tickle baby’s lips and wait until he opens his mouth wide, then bring your baby to your breast (not your breast to your baby, this will cause neck and back pain for you).

- Baby should have your whole nipple and a large part of your areola in his mouth.

- How do you know if baby is drinking enough? Read here for tell tale signs.

The cross cradle hold for breastfeeding allows a mom complete control during breastfeeding. This position is used for the newborn and only until baby has learned to latch on correctly.

Step by step cross cradle breastfeeding hold

- Use a breastfeeding pillow for support. The best ones to use for this are the boppy and my breast friend pillows.

- Your arm should be supporting the length of baby’s back

- Your baby’s head should be supported with your thumb and forefinger just behind baby’s ears

- Baby should be held tummy to tummy

- With your free hand you must hold your breast in a U shape (making sure that your fingers are out of the way for a good latch on)

- Tickle baby’s lips with your nipple until he opens his mouth wide, then quickly push his body towards you and latch on

- Baby should have all of the nipple and most of the lower areola in his mouth. Your nipple should be quite far back in his mouth. If the latch feels uncomfortable or painful you can break the seal by placing your fingers in the corner of baby’s mouth and try again.

- If baby’s bottom lip is curled in, it sometimes helps to try pull it out, for a better latch.

- Do not try to make an air pocket on the top of the breast for baby to breathe. Doing this can cause nipple pain. Babies’ noses are made especially for breastfeeding, and if baby is struggling to breathe he will pull off on his own.

- If your baby is drinking well with the cross breastfeeding hold, and your arm becomes tired you can transition into the normal cradle hold shown above.

This is a really great breast feeding position for mothers who:

- Have small babies

- Have large breasts

- Have inverted nipples

- Have babies with latching on problems

The football breastfeeding hold also called the underarm hold or clutch hold. With this nursing position you will be holding baby on either one of your sides. This is a great position for mothers who have just had a cesarean section. The breastfeeding football hold is also great for mothers with large breasts. , moms with heavy let down reflexes and moms with premature babies. This position is usually used only until baby is latching on well.

Step by step breastfeeding football hold

- You will need a pillow to support baby. Baby should be at breast height.

- Tuck baby in, under the same arm as the breast that is being fed to baby.

- Moms forearm should be positioned up the length of baby’s back.

- Baby’s head supported by moms thumb and forefinger, behind baby’s ears just like when you hold baby in the cross cradle position.

- Again hold your breast with your other hand...in a U shape with your fingers away from the areola.

- Your baby should be resting on your forearm, tucked under your arm.

- Latch baby the same way as the cross cradle hold.

- Make sure your shoulders and back are relaxed.

The lying positions:

The lying breastfeeding position is the easiest position breastfeeding for many moms. Breastfeeding lying down is nice for moms that sleep with their babies.

How it’s done:

- Lie on your side and support your head and your back with pillows.

- Lie baby next to you so that your tummies are touching. If your baby is still very young you can place something behind his back to prevent him from rolling backwards.

- Your baby will be drinking from the breast that is against the mattress.

- After your baby has securely latched on, you can use your lower arm to support your own head

- When you wish to give baby your other side you only need to cuddle him over your chest, and gently roll yourselves over.

- This position is great for moms who have has a c-section delivery

More detail on nursing while lying down

(more on breastfeeding after a c section)

Saddle hold (Australian hold):

The Saddle Hold is a fun way to easily nurse babies who are sitting up. It also works well if your baby has a runny nose or a sore ear. This is a great position for breastfeeding toddlers.

How it's done

- Have your baby sitting upright with his legs over your one leg.

Breast feeding twins:

Try holding both babies in a football hold at the same time

Step By Step Breastfeeding Guide

These positions for breastfeeding can be modified for your own comfort, as long as it works for you and baby. Find the best breast feeding position for you

Breastfeeding pictures

Many moms feel that they want to give up on breastfeeding after a while due to the many different difficulties they might be experiencing during breastfeeding, but can I please encourage you to read our page on the benefits of breastfeeding, not just for your baby, but for your sake too.  

Other Breastfeeding positioning resources on "breastfeeding problems"

- Breastfeeding after a c-section delivery

- Tips on breastfeeding twins

- First time breastfeeding moms

- Relax during breastfeeding

- Breastfeeding baby in a sling

- Boppy breastfeeding pillows

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