Photo cred. Kids Health.com Even though breastfeeding is one of the most natural acts in the world, it still takes some practice, especially if you’re nursing your first child. It’s important to learn how to comfortably hold your baby during the process. You’ll need coordination and patience. Like most activities between you and your child, you’ll have to find something that works for the two of you. After all, you will be spending hours a day breastfeeding.
Most of these positions are pretty standard and it’s likely that you’ll find one of these to be the most accommodating for you. Check out these best positions for breastfeeding.
The Cradle Hold
This is a classic position and the one most people try first. Sit in a chair that has supportive armrests, or on a heavily padded bed, and cradle your baby’s head in the crook of your arm. If you can, elevate your feet on a stool or other hard surface to avoid leaning down on your baby. Hold her in your lap so her body is facing you, and tuck her lower arm under yours. Extend your arms down her body to support her neck, spine, and bottom.
The Cross-Over Hold
Also known as the cross-cradle, in this position you’ll be holding the baby with the opposite arm. It gives you a good view of the baby’s latch. Support the baby with the arm opposite the breast with which you’re feeding. Support your baby’s head by resting his neck on the palm of your hand, with your thumb and fingers at the base of his head. Don’t grab on to her head too hard as this causes some babies to pull away, but of course support her.
The Clutch or Football Hold
Just like the name suggests, tuck your baby under your arm on the same side you’re nursing, similar to how you’d hold a football. Position her on the side, under your arm, facing you with her nose even with your nipple and feet pointing toward your back. Rest your arm on a pillow in your lap, and use your hand to support her neck and back. Guide her toward your nipple chin first. Be mindful of pushing too much, or she will resist and push back against your hand.
This is a good position for babies who have trouble latching, because it allows you to see exactly what is going on and adjust her position accordingly.
The Side-Lying Position
This is a popular position for night feeding. You may need your partner to help you arrange pillows to form this position.
Lie on the side of your body as the breast your baby will be feeding on. Lay your baby on the side so she’s facing you (either on a pillow, or lower arm, or directly on the bed), and her chest against yours. Use your top arm to support her body and the bottom arm to support her head and gently bring her toward your breast. Lean into a pillow behind you so you don’t put weight on the baby.
Most of these positions are pretty standard and it’s likely that you’ll find one of these to be the most accommodating for you. Check out these best positions for breastfeeding.
The Cradle Hold
This is a classic position and the one most people try first. Sit in a chair that has supportive armrests, or on a heavily padded bed, and cradle your baby’s head in the crook of your arm. If you can, elevate your feet on a stool or other hard surface to avoid leaning down on your baby. Hold her in your lap so her body is facing you, and tuck her lower arm under yours. Extend your arms down her body to support her neck, spine, and bottom.
The Cross-Over Hold
Also known as the cross-cradle, in this position you’ll be holding the baby with the opposite arm. It gives you a good view of the baby’s latch. Support the baby with the arm opposite the breast with which you’re feeding. Support your baby’s head by resting his neck on the palm of your hand, with your thumb and fingers at the base of his head. Don’t grab on to her head too hard as this causes some babies to pull away, but of course support her.
The Clutch or Football Hold
Just like the name suggests, tuck your baby under your arm on the same side you’re nursing, similar to how you’d hold a football. Position her on the side, under your arm, facing you with her nose even with your nipple and feet pointing toward your back. Rest your arm on a pillow in your lap, and use your hand to support her neck and back. Guide her toward your nipple chin first. Be mindful of pushing too much, or she will resist and push back against your hand.
This is a good position for babies who have trouble latching, because it allows you to see exactly what is going on and adjust her position accordingly.
The Side-Lying Position
This is a popular position for night feeding. You may need your partner to help you arrange pillows to form this position.
Lie on the side of your body as the breast your baby will be feeding on. Lay your baby on the side so she’s facing you (either on a pillow, or lower arm, or directly on the bed), and her chest against yours. Use your top arm to support her body and the bottom arm to support her head and gently bring her toward your breast. Lean into a pillow behind you so you don’t put weight on the baby.
Written by Nicole Zoellner from Nizo Wear Nursing Bras
Nizo Wear is the first nursing bra to have a unique, patented pocket in the pull-down flap that can hold a warm or cool pack, helping bring moms relief and healing, while being extremely comfortable and super chic. All styles also include removable molded pads that provide discreet coverage when you want it; while giving you the freedom to take them out when you don't.
Nizo Wear nursing bras were inspired by the real-life experience of the company’s founder, Nicole Zoellner. After experiencing breastfeeding discomfort, Nicole set out to do for other nursing moms what no-one had been able to do for her: provide a practical, comfortable way to get relief from the soreness breastfeeding mothers often experience. Her design was patented, and Nizo Wear was born.
Visit www.nizowear.com for more information.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Nizo Wear? Send your topic idea to CustomerService@nizowear.com.
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Nizo Wear makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.
Nizo Wear is the first nursing bra to have a unique, patented pocket in the pull-down flap that can hold a warm or cool pack, helping bring moms relief and healing, while being extremely comfortable and super chic. All styles also include removable molded pads that provide discreet coverage when you want it; while giving you the freedom to take them out when you don't.
Nizo Wear nursing bras were inspired by the real-life experience of the company’s founder, Nicole Zoellner. After experiencing breastfeeding discomfort, Nicole set out to do for other nursing moms what no-one had been able to do for her: provide a practical, comfortable way to get relief from the soreness breastfeeding mothers often experience. Her design was patented, and Nizo Wear was born.
Visit www.nizowear.com for more information.
Interested in writing a guest blog for Nizo Wear? Send your topic idea to CustomerService@nizowear.com.
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Nizo Wear makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.
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