Breastfeeding Positions: Complete Guide for Every Situation

Keys to Any Position

Before diving into specific holds, these principles apply to all positions:

Alignment

• Ear, shoulder, hip in line: Baby shouldn't have to turn their head
• Tummy to tummy: Baby's front against your body
• Nose to nipple: Line up baby's nose with your nipple before latching

Support

• Support baby's head and neck: But don't push their head
• Support your arm: Use pillows so you're not straining
• Support your back: Sit comfortably, don't hunch over

Latch Basics

• Wide open mouth: Wait for baby to gape like a yawn
• Lips flanged out: Like fish lips, not tucked in
• Deep latch: More areola in mouth, not just nipple
• Chin touching breast: Nose free or barely touching

Cradle Hold

The classic position most people picture when thinking of breastfeeding.

How to Do It

1. Sit upright with good back support
2. Baby lies across your lap, facing you
3. Baby's head rests in the crook of the arm on the same side as the breast
4. Your forearm supports baby's back
5. Your hand supports baby's bottom or thigh
6. Use your other hand to support your breast if needed

Tips for Success

• Use a nursing pillow to bring baby to breast level
• Don't lean forward—bring baby to you
• Ensure baby's body is fully turned toward you

Best For

• Older babies with established latch
• Moms who are comfortable nursing
• Public nursing (discreet)

Not Ideal For

• Newborns learning to latch (less head control)
• After C-section (baby on incision)

Cross-Cradle Hold

Similar to cradle but with opposite arm, giving you more control over baby's head. Excellent for newborns.

How to Do It

1. Sit upright with back support
2. Hold baby across your lap with the opposite arm from the breast
3. Your hand supports the base of baby's head and neck (not back of head)
4. Baby's body rests along your forearm
5. Use the hand on the same side as the breast to support the breast (C-hold or U-hold)
6. Line up baby's nose to nipple, wait for wide gape, bring baby to breast

Tips for Success

• Place fingers at base of skull, not behind head (don't push!)
• Keep baby's bottom close to your body—no gap
• Use nursing pillow to support your arm

Best For

• Newborns and preemies
• Working on latch
• Small babies who need extra head support
• When you need maximum control

Not Ideal For

• Can be tiring for long feeds (arm fatigue)
• Older, heavier babies

Football (Clutch) Hold

Baby tucked under your arm like a football. A favorite for many situations.

How to Do It

1. Sit with a pillow at your side
2. Tuck baby under your arm on the same side as the breast
3. Baby's legs extend behind you (or curled if small)
4. Support baby's head with your hand, neck along your forearm
5. Baby faces you, tummy to your side
6. Use other hand to support breast

Tips for Success

• Use firm pillow to raise baby to breast level
• Make sure baby's body is tucked close, not hanging off
• Baby's feet should be behind you, not pushing off furniture

Best For

• C-section recovery: Baby avoids incision
• Large breasts: Better visibility and control
• Flat or inverted nipples: Easier to guide latch
• Twins: One baby on each side
• Fast let-down: Gravity slows flow
• Preemies: Good control and visibility

Not Ideal For

• Without proper pillow support (arm gets tired)
• When you want to lie down

Side-Lying Position

Nurse lying down—a lifesaver for night feeds and recovery.

How to Do It

1. Lie on your side with pillow under your head
2. Baby lies facing you, also on their side
3. Pull baby close, tummy to tummy
4. Baby's nose is at nipple level
5. Lower arm can go under your head or around baby (not blocking)
6. Use upper arm to guide baby if needed

Tips for Success

• Roll a blanket behind baby's back to keep them close
• Put pillow between your knees for comfort
• May need to lift breast slightly to help latch
• Practice while awake before relying on it at night

Best For

• Night feeding: Rest while nursing
• C-section recovery: No pressure on incision
• Exhausted moms: Don't have to fully wake up
• Co-sleeping families: (following safe sleep guidelines)

Safety Notes

• Follow safe sleep guidelines if falling asleep is possible
• No soft bedding near baby's face
• Baby should be on firm surface
• Don't use if very drowsy or on medications

Laid-Back (Biological Nurturing)

Also called "biological nurturing"—uses gravity and baby's instincts. Often the easiest for beginners.

How to Do It

1. Recline at 45-degree angle (not flat, not fully upright)
2. Place baby tummy-down on your chest
3. Baby can be at any angle—diagonal works well
4. Let gravity keep baby close to you
5. Baby will bob head and find nipple instinctively
6. Guide gently if needed, but let baby lead

Tips for Success

• Undress both of you for skin-to-skin—enhances instincts
• Support yourself with pillows—you should be comfortable
• Let baby "crawl" and find breast—it's natural
• Works best when both are calm

Best For

• Newborns: Triggers feeding instincts
• First breastfeeding attempts: Golden hour
• Fast let-down: Gravity slows milk flow
• Oversupply: Baby can handle flow better
• Babies who fight at breast: More relaxed approach
• Large breasts: Gravity helps

Why It Works

This position triggers baby's primitive neonatal reflexes (rooting, bobbing, crawling) and uses gravity to help baby stay latched. Many lactation consultants recommend it as the first position to try.

Positions for Special Situations

After C-Section

Avoid pressure on incision:

• Football hold: Baby completely avoids abdomen
• Side-lying: No weight on tummy
• Laid-back: Baby's weight distributed

Large Breasts

• Football hold: Better visibility and control
• Cross-cradle: Can support breast with free hand
• Laid-back: Gravity keeps breast from covering baby's face
• Tip: Rolled washcloth under breast can help

Small Breasts

• Most positions work well
• May need to lean slightly toward baby initially
• Use pillow to bring baby to nipple level

Flat or Inverted Nipples

• Football and cross-cradle: Best control
• Nipple shields may help temporarily
• Reverse pressure softening before latching

Preemie or Small Baby

• Cross-cradle: Maximum head control
• Football: Good visibility of latch
• May need to support breast entire feed

Twins

• Double football: One baby on each side
• Cradle + football combo: One each position
• Double cradle: Babies criss-cross
• Twin nursing pillow is essential

Clogged Duct

• Position baby so chin points toward clog
• "Dangle feeding": On all fours, baby below (uses gravity)
• Rotate positions to drain all areas

Fast Let-Down / Oversupply

• Laid-back: Baby on top, gravity slows flow
• Side-lying: Excess can drip out
• Let baby control pace

Position Troubleshooting

Baby Slides Down

• Nursing pillow may be too soft or low
• Make sure tummy-to-tummy alignment
• Try football hold for more control

Nipple Pain

• Usually a latch issue, not position issue
• Try cross-cradle for better control
• Check that baby's mouth is wide before latching
• Ensure baby takes in enough areola

Baby Keeps Unlatching

• May be flow issue (too fast or slow)
• Try laid-back if flow is fast
• Ensure baby's body is close and stable
• Check for tongue or lip tie

Arm/Back Pain

• Bring baby to you—don't hunch
• Use pillows to support your arms
• Try side-lying for a break
• Switch positions throughout the day

Baby Won't Latch on One Side

• Try football hold on difficult side
• Start on preferred side, slide to other
• Birth trauma can cause preference—time helps
• May be torticollis—mention to pediatrician

The Bottom Line

There's no single "right" breastfeeding position. The best position is where you're both comfortable and baby can latch deeply. Many moms use different positions throughout the day—cradle on the couch, side-lying at night, laid-back when dealing with fast let-down.

If you're struggling with positioning or latch, reach out to a lactation consultant. They can observe a feed and make personalized suggestions that make all the difference.

References: International Lactation Consultant Association, La Leche League International, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.