While breastfeeding is natural, it takes some getting used to. But rest assured, there are ways to help make it easier and a lot of strategies available to help you feed your baby.
You can hold your baby in a number of ways. Some of the most common positions are:
Cradle: Put your baby’s head in the crook of your arm. Support your baby’s back and bottom with your forearm. Your baby should be lying facing you. Your breast should be right in front of your baby’s face.
Side-lying: While lying down, place your baby alongside you. Your baby should be facing you. Pull your baby close to you so he or she can latch on. You can use a pillow to prop up, if needed. This position can help if you had a cesarean section (C-section). You don’t want to fall asleep while nursing in this (or any other) position. Co-sleeping can be dangerous for your baby. It increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Football: Tuck your baby under your arm, along your side. His or her head should be resting in your hand. Support your baby’s body with your forearm. Your baby should be facing you. This position can help if you had a C-section. It also can help if your breasts are large, your baby is small, or you have multiple babies.
Cross-cradle: Hold your baby with the opposite arm of the breast you’re using. Support your baby’s head and bottom with the palm of your hand and forearm. Your baby should still be lying facing you. This position can help premature babies or babies who have a weak suck. It provides added head support.
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