Newborn Breastfeeding Positions

So you’re planning to breastfeed, or you are breastfeeding! Sometimes breastfeeding comes naturally…but most of the time it doesn’t! Not only are you trying to figure out how to hold a newborn, support their head and keep them safe, but you are trying to get your nipple into their mouth too! Breastfeeding can feel like a three-hand job sometimes, so breastfeeding positions really do make a difference.

Best Breastfeeding Positions for in the hospital:

Biological/laid back nursing is when you lean back and let the baby lay on your belly. This can be helpful if you are laying in a hospital bed!

It also is called biological nursing because it’s one of the most natural nursing positions! If your baby is having difficulty latching you may want to try this one out.

Another applicable hospital bed position. It takes some of the pressure off holding the newborn’s head correctly or finding the right position. You can use both your hands to reposition your breast or the baby.

Bonus is that this position is great if you are recovering from a C section!

Best Breastfeeding Positions for Anyone!

In Cross-Cradle your baby lays across your body. One hand goes behind your baby while hand on the same side of the breast navigates the breast.

This position can be used with or without a nursing pillow.

In a cradle hold the baby is positioned in a similar across the body fashion, but the hands are swapped. The arm on the nursing side is used to support the baby.

In football, [or rugby] hold, the baby’s feet go behind the breastfeeding parent and not across the body. This position is usually used with a pillow, boppy or other positioner for the baby to rest their head on.

This position is great for twins or for c-section recovery.

Best Breastfeeding Positions For Older Babies

Honestly, any! Once a baby has the hang of breastfeeding they will do so any way they please. Upside down anyone?

Once your baby has good head control, it can be very convenient to nurse in a carrier. If you’re new to breastfeeding this may seem so far off, but you’ll be there before you know it!

Breastfeeding Position for Mastitis or Clogged Ducts

Mastitis is where milk gets trapped in the ducts and causes an infection. Yuck. If the ducts are clogged then you need to UNCLOG them! There are a variety of cures for mastitus and clogged ducts but one of them is:

With Dangle nursing, you’re letting gravity do the work and help pull the milk [and potential infection] out. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt your baby!

Breastfeeding twins? We have more position options for you in our Breastfeeding Twins 101 blog.