Breastfeeding position

There are various positions you can take while breastfeeding. Owing to back pain, painful episiotomy wound or caesarean section wound, you may not be able to take the recommended breastfeeding positions. The best position is the one in which you feel comfortable; over time, you will find the position that best suits you and your baby 

For any position you choose, the basic principles that allow your baby to suckle successfully are important: The baby is positioned so that his/her whole body is next to yours, and his/her head is at the level of your breast. The baby's head, neck and body are in the same plane, with the face towards the breast. If it is a newborn, the whole body should be supported, rather than just the head and neck.

Sitting position with the baby in your arms - "cradle hold" - Your and your baby's spine are at right angles; the baby's head is in the crook of your arm; the baby's body is supported by the entire length of your arm; offer the breast with your free hand by placing your thumb on the upper side of the breast and your index finger and middle finger under the breast, holding the breast with your palm. 

• Sitting position, with the baby in your arms - "cross cradle hold" - The baby lies on your lap or a pillow, to rise to the nipple. Make sure that the pillow supports the baby well, so that your arms do not support the baby's entire weight. If you are breastfeeding the baby on your left breast, support the breast with the "U" hold using your left hand, and hold the baby with the fingers of your right hand.

• Sitting position, with the baby in your arms - "football hold" - The baby's head is in the front, and his/her body is next to yours, under your arm. This is a good position for moms who gave birth by caesarean section and who breastfeed twins. It also helps if your milk release reflex is too strong. Hold the baby's head with your palm. Again, pillows can help keep the baby closer to the nipple.

• Lying position, with the baby lying on his/her side facing you - this position suits many mothers, especially at night, and is very practical for those who have had an episiotomy. You and the baby lie on the side, facing each other. The baby's head can rest on your outstretched arm, with your forearm supporting the baby's back. Be careful not to fall asleep with the baby in the bed!

The breastfeeding position must be comfortable for the mother! In the desire to breastfeed her baby successfully, sometimes, especially in the first days, the mother takes various unnatural and forced positions, which are inevitably followed by back pain, stiff neck and other discomfort. The baby sometimes suckles as many as 10-12 times in 24 hours, so it is important that you are comfortable: to have back support, if you sit on a chair or armchair - to have leg support. The correct position can be supported by additional pillows - a "nest" pillow or ordinary pillows - put one behind your back for you to lean on, and another on your lap to put the baby on.

Breastfeeding should not hurt! The first moments of breastfeeding may be accompanied by brief discomfort or pain. If you feel pain all the time during breastfeeding, it means that the baby has not latched on the breast properly and is suckling inefficiently. Stop breastfeeding by slipping your little finger into the baby's mouth next to the nipple, gently push the nipple out of his/her mouth and try again.

Every mother-baby pair is a world unto itself. Even mothers who already have experience with an older child quickly realize that, with each child, the experience is new and different, that it takes time to get to know each other and get used to it. Mother and baby must learn to function as an effective team. The most important thing is not to give up if everything doesn't work out immediately the way you expected!

If you have questions, dilemmas or doubts about breastfeeding, call the "Hello Baby" telephone counseling service of the Belgrade City Institute of Public Health at 011/7158-444. The visiting nurses on phone duty (24/7) will provide you with professional assistance and advice, and help you calm down.