Breastfeeding positions

Learning how to hold your baby in a comfortable position is especially important during the early weeks after birth. There is no one right position for all mothers – use what works for you to feel most comfortable and also allow your baby to feed well. 

Learning how to hold your baby in a comfortable position is especially important during the early weeks after birth. There is no one right position for all mothers – use what works for you to feel most comfortable and also allow your baby to feed well. 

This video will show basic points important for any position and then show you several common positions that have worked well for many mothers and babies.  
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Good positioning helps to ensure that your baby suckles well and helps you to produce a good supply of breast milk.  

 

The four key points about your baby’s position are: straight, facing the breast, close, and supported:  

1. The baby’s body should be straight, not bent or twisted, but with the head slightly back.  

2. The baby’s body should be facing the breast, not held flat to your chest or stomach, and he or she should be able to look up into your face.  

3. The baby should be close to you.  

4. You should support the baby’s whole body, not just the neck and shoulders, with your hand and arm.  

There are different ways to position your baby:  

breatfeeding positions Cradle position (most commonly used). breatfeeding positions Cross cradle position (good for small babies). breatfeeding positions Side-lying position (use to rest while breastfeeding and at night).

 

breatfeeding positions General under-arm position (use after caesarean section, if your nipples are painful or if you are breastfeeding twins or a small baby). breatfeeding positions If you are breastfeeding twins.