Breastfeeding positions

There are lots of different words to describe what your baby does at your breast while he is feeding including attachment or attaching, latching or nursing. We use the word positioning to describe how you as a mum hold your baby and attachment to describe what your baby does, such as how your baby takes your breast into his mouth. The way that you hold your baby (positioning) will make it more or less easy for your baby to feed effectively. There are lots of different positions you can hold your baby in for breastfeeding. The important thing is that it is comfy for both you and your baby and that it makes it possible for your baby to get just the right big mouthful of breast to feed effectively and easily.

Your midwife or a breastfeeding counsellor can help you get comfortable in one or more of the following breastfeeding positions:

Laid back, relaxing

Choose a comfortable position for yourself, such as lying back (reclining), cuddling and holding your baby whichever way feels comfortable to you, for as long as you wish. Your baby’s body is completely supported by your body, facing and closely touching it. New research suggests that this encourages your baby’s instincts, such as rooting, and is often more comfortable, thereby helping breastfeeding.

Sitting in a chair

• Let your baby lie across your lap, with her head supported on your forearm, her nose towards your nipple.
• Make sure her ear, shoulder and hip are in a line, not twisted round.

Or you could...

• Lay her across your lap, with your opposite hand and wrist supporting her upper back and neck.
• These are the positions that you see most women using when they are out and about with their baby. Its worth getting comfortable yourself, so that you don’t have to support your baby’s weight. She may seem small, but you need to be able to relax as well.

Underarm

• By placing cushions at your side, your baby can rest on them, with her legs pointing behind you. You will probably need cushions behind you to leave enough room for her legs to go past your back.
• She will be tucked under your arm for support.
• You can support  her behind her shoulders and neckwith your right hand when she’s at your right breast; and vice versa, or support her with pillows.
• Starting nose to nipple generally helps her attach well.
• This position can work well for twins as each baby has their own space.

Lying down

• If you lie on your side and rest your head on a pillow, your baby can tuck in close to your body. You can guide her to your breast and support her with your free hand.
• A pillow behind you will support your back.
• A thin pillow or folded towel under your rib cage will lift your body slightly – helpful if you have large breasts.
• If you have had a caesarean or need to stay in bed, breastfeeding lying down can be very relaxing and help you get more rest.

Whatever position you choose, remember:

• Bring your baby to your breast or let her attach herself rather than leaning towards her.
• Tuck her in closely to you.
• Check that her ear, shoulder and hip are all in a line – not twisted round.
• Make sure she’s facing your nipple – she shouldn’t have to turn her head.
• Using cushions, special breastfeeding pillows and other supports might help in the early days, but you might be equally comfortable without them.
• Many mothers take a while to get used to holding their baby comfortably, but once breastfeeding is established, find that breastfeeding in public is discreet and easy too.

Useful reading

Bump to Breastfeeding DVD: available from your midwife or library – see more at www.bestbeginnings.org.uk

For further information on how to breastfeed, including positioning and attachment, and a section on expressing your breastmilk by hand, go to www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/bfyb_english1.pdf

Breastfeeding for beginners by Caroline Deacon available from www.nctshop.co.uk

'Breastfeeding – a good start' available from www.nctshop.co.uk

NCT Book of Breastfeeding by Mary Smale (Vermilion) available from www.nctshop.co.uk

The food of love (book and website) by Kate Evans – a down-to-earth humorous and helpful approach to breastfeeding with cartoons