A new mum’s guide to breastfeeding positions

Motherhood is an amazing journey, but it can also feel like one with some steep learning curves. Even just figuring out how to position a newborn at your breast can feel like quite a challenge at first!

But there are the key words: at first. Over time, new mums learn the best breastfeeding positions. What’s daunting now will eventually turn into a comfortable, stress-free experience.

Who says we can’t speed up the process of getting there, though? This guide is for just that! Here, we show you the natural nursing positions as part of our breastfeeding guide for new mothers. 

Experiment with the options below, which are considered the top breastfeeding positions by most mums. Don’t worry too much about which one’s actually most popular, though. Instead, find which one lets you and your little one get comfy while nursing!

1. Cradle hold

This one’s the classic cuddle. It’s what you’ll see in most pamphlets about breastfeeding. 

For this hold, you sit upright and your baby lies across your front with their head resting in the crook of your elbow. Your baby’s chest is typically flat against yours. You also provide support for their back and bottom to prevent twisting.

Here’s a helpful tip if you want to try this position: to help keep the pressure off your shoulders, try using a pillow on your lap to elevate your baby instead of hunching forward.

2. Cross-cradle hold

This is very similar to the cradle hold. The main difference is that you hold your baby with the arm opposite the feeding breast instead of the one right next to it. 

The idea behind this hold is to make sure your free hand has room to shape the nipple and assist your baby in latching. It’s a great hold for very young babies who haven’t quite learned yet how to open wide for nursing.

You can also use a pillow on your lap to keep your baby’s tummy against yours, or a chair with armrests helps too. This hold can easily transition to the classic cradle as well.

3. Laid-back or reclined hold

This option requires you to lean against some cushions at a mild angle while your baby lies on your chest. Your baby will usually find the nipple reflexively, which is why this is also called biological nurturing by some.

The nice thing about this hold is that it’s easy even for people with milk oversupply or suffering from soreness following a C-section. The milk has to flow upwards and the baby’s weight won’t need to press on your incision. 

Here’s a handy tip: gravity means drips will sometimes happen, so have a clean-up cloth ready for that!

4. Side-lying hold

Side-lying is a favourite for mums who find themselves doing a lot of late-night or early-morning feedings. To do it, simply lie on your side with your baby facing you in the same way. 

It can be hard to stay stable in this position without support, so here’s an idea that can help: prepare some clean, rolled towels. Place these behind your back and your baby’s shoulder blades. They should keep both of you stable.

5. Rugby ball hold

Also known as the football hold, this is another winner if you’ve just had a C-section.

Tuck your baby under your arm like a rugby ball and make sure their legs are pointing behind you. Their face should be toward your breast. Put a forearm in a position to support their spine and use your hand to steady their head. 

This hold gives you control during nursing while keeping clear of your incision area.

6. Koala or upright hold

If your baby is big enough to already straddle your thigh or keep their head up by themselves, this might be a good option. Put them on your lap while feeding and hold them like a koala by holding one hand on your baby’s back. 

The best thing about this is that it frees up your other hand. You can feed yourself during it!

More mum hacks for smoother breastfeeding sessions

Want some more ideas that can help you make breastfeeding easier or more comfortable? Here are some things you can try out with most of these holds:

• Set up your feeding station ahead of time with stuff to keep you going. While your baby’s feeding, you need nutrition too! We recommend a snack, some water, and a phone charger.

• Use cushions or specially designed nursing pillows for holds like the cross-cradle and rugby ball ones. They make life so much easier!

• Check your baby’s latch every single time. Is your baby’s mouth open wide enough? Is the chin pressed into your breast? Are there no clicking sounds?

• Prepare nipple cream in advance to make sure you have something to provide relief if you do get sore.

• Seek help from a certified lactation consultant if you still struggle to get a proper latch or your baby seems to have trouble putting on weight.

Get more tips for your parenthood journey!

It will take a little patience, but you’ll eventually find the right breastfeeding position for you and your little one. Just keep at it until you discover what fits both of you!

And if you need more proven tips for (and from!) mums, check out the rest of our guides. We provide tips on everything new mums need to know there!