There are four notable creative breastfeeding positions that you can fully adopt depending on what works for you and your baby.
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Biological Nurturing
This is also called laid-back breastfeeding. It starts by finding a couch or bed where you can comfortably lean back where your head and shoulders are very well supported. Place the baby’s whole front against you. This should not be a problem since you are leaning back and your baby can rest on your torso and thighs. Have the baby’s cheek rest on your bare breast.
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Cradle Position
From the word itself, the baby should be resting comfortably in your forearm as if cradling. The mouth should be covering at least half inch of the areola. The child’s ear, shoulder and hips should be aligned. Do not forget to use pillows to support the elbows and to bring the child up to the nipple’s height. Now you can support your breast using the C or U hold.
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Cross-cradle Position
It is said that this position is ideal for early breastfeeding. The mother should hold the baby in such a way that they are tummy-to-tummy. If the baby will suckle the right breast, hold the child using the left forearm and cup the right breast (U hold) using the right hand. Make sure to cradle the baby close to the breast.
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Football Position
Ideal for Cesarean delivery as the baby is away from the mother’s incision. With the elbow bent, hold the baby so the child’s back rests on the forearm. The free hand will cup the breast (C hold) towards the baby’s mouth.
I hope you enjoy this little post and feel free to chime in with a comment. Let me know if you have any personal review or experience, or if you have any questions about the post. 😉
Have fun breastfeeding and if you like this post, do share it with your family and friends. After all, sharing can always accelerate and make the learning curve easier for the new or expecting mothers!
IamLindadz89247 says
I must be honest, I nursed all four of my children, it was beneficial for me by helping to remove all of the excess baby weight that I gained during my pregnancies. Actually putting me right back to the weight that I was before each pregnancy. I have tried and experienced all of these breast-feeding positions. All of them worked out pretty amazing for me and my babies, all adults now. My eldest is 30 years and my youngest is 24. My two daughters did NOT breast feed their babies however, (I don’t know why,) They don’t know what they’re missing. Lol
Toni says
With everything I’ve ever read about breastfeeding positions I’ve never heard a name for the lying back ( biological) position. Most articles just skip over it all together and i actually learned about it first on youtube. It’s nice to see it does have a name like the other more commonly known ones. Very interesting, thanks!
Paige Wong says
Thanks…
ariefw says
My wife prefers the cross cradle position and the side lying position.
Side lying position is the most preferred position. She can lie on the bed. That relaxed her a lot. And the baby, too.
Sometimes, holding our baby can consume too much of energy that it was easier to breastfed her using a side lying position.
What do you think?
Paige Wong says
Thanks…
Gus says
This article is very interesting, my son is now 18months and looking at this page made me want to return to those breast feeding days. ha! I didn’t realise there were so many positions to breast feed, as I had a C-Section I found that the football position helped me a lot. Thanks for the info, learnt something new.
Paige Wong says
XD haha we are looking forward to you having another baby later, and then, you would surely enjoy returning to those breastfeeding days. Glad that the football position can help you as you had a C-Section, and hope that the other sections of our site can help you more. Cheers~
Pitin says
I am a first-time parent, and I wasn’t successful in breastfeeding my first-born. I had no knowledge of breastfeeding when my daughter was born. I should have researched breastfeeding before giving birth. It is one of my frustrations in life. However, it is not too late because I can still do my best to breastfeed my second child onwards. Thanks for this article. I appreciate you sharing the techniques that I can use next time.
Paige Wong says
Hi there… =D So glad to know that this article can help you. Do check in more often for learning and sharing. Hope that we can stay connected to ensure your smooth breastfeeding journey. Cheers~
rebecca cosmidou says
Hello, there!
Since i was a mom who choose to breastfeed her little girl, i found your particular post useful for any new mom that wants to learn and to adopt one -or all of them, as well- position that’s comfortable for her.
Your post is informative and the pictures you add are very helpful. Good job!
Yours,
Rebecca
Paige Wong says
Hi, Rebecca, it’s awesome to see your supportive compliment here. Thank you so much. Because of your kind words, we strive to provide the best solutions for any issues encountered by the nursing moms. Stay tuned.
TerryB says
Hi Paige,
What a great post on breastfeeding. Very instructive.
My first born was pretty much any position, whatever felt most comfortable.
My second was easier, maybe because I had more experience!
I’m glad you made this post for all the mama’s to find what position is best for them.
Paige Wong says
Hi Terry, thanks for dropping by and leave us a great comment here. Yes, we always are here to help. Cheers~
Cha says
I love how clean and easy to read your page is =) As for the positions, they are very helpful to know. Depending on the body type of the mother, especially the size of her breasts will determine which is going to be most helpful and/or comfortable. I am very small chested, so unfortunately the one that only worked for me was the cradle position. Lol!
Paige Wong says
Thank you, Cha, for the lovely compliments. Wonder how many children you had breastfed in the past. Must be a fun and enjoyable experience, right? Glad to know that my article actually helps. Cheers~
Sangeeta says
Hi, nice to read about different breastfeeding position. Now, my son is grown up but when he was small, I used to feed him in different positions. Only I thought of comfort level for me and my baby during the feeds. But its quite interesting to know different positions for it.
Paige Wong says
Thanks, Sangeeta, for dropping by and leaving such an awesome comment here. Cheers~
tatihden says
Hi there,
I use the cradle and the cross cradle positions a lot more than the biological nurturing position. I think the two cradle positions are the most popular breastfeeding position. My baby hates the biological nurturing position; I think it has something to do with the pressure on his belly especially as he starts getting full.
I also on occasion, feed the baby at night while lying down.
Is this a good breastfeeding position?
Paige Wong says
Hi there… As long as your baby and you feeling comfortable through and the kind of bonding between both of you is getting stronger and stronger, then I can say that is a good breastfeeding position. But haha make sure don’t fall asleep during breastfeeding. 😉