What are the best positions for breastfeeding?

The cradle hold, the cross-cradle hold and two more breastfeeding positions that you can try!

I am a 30-year-old woman who recently delivered a baby girl. I was reading online on how to breastfeed and the breastfeeding positions. There are many options available online. Could you please help me out with the best breastfeeding positions that are good for the mother and the baby? Thanks.

The query is answered by Dr Raghuram Mallaiah, Neonatologist and consultant with Philips Avent.

Firstly, it is important to breastfeed the newborn as it is healthy for the mother and the baby. The WHO recommends that newborns should be fed with mother s breast milk only for at least 6 months. After that, the mother can give baby food supplements to the child along with breast milk for up to the age of 2 years. Here are few breastfeeding positions that are good for the mother and the baby that you can try. Also read about breast feeding vs bottle feeding what s best for the baby?

The cradle hold

The cradle breastfeeding position requires you to sit on a chair with an armrest or a flat bed with pillows around the legs so that you don t lean towards the baby. Now, place the baby s head on the crook of the arm and hold him or her in your lap such that the baby s front body is facing towards you. If you are going to nurse the baby with your right breast then lay her head in the crook of your right arm. You should extend your forearm around the back of the baby to hold and support the spine, neck, and bottom. Now, the baby should be lying horizontally with a slight tilt towards you.

This classic cradle position is ideal for full-term or slightly older babies of about 1 month. Some mothers may find this position a little hard to guide the newborn s mouth to the nipple, so, it is an ideal position for babies that have already developed a stronger neck muscle. Here are 5 tips for successful breastfeeding.

The cross-cradle hold

The cross-cradle hold is ideal for small infants that find it difficult to latch onto the mother s nipple. This hold differs from the cradle hold in the way the hands are used to hold the baby. Your arm supports the baby s head instead of your arm s crook. In case you are going to nurse the baby using your right breast, use your left arm and hand to hold the baby. Turn the infant s body so that the tummy and chest are facing towards you. Now, using your fingers and thumb behind the head, guide the mouth towards the nipple of the right breast.

The side-lying position

If you are going to feed using your right breast, then lie on your right side with your back supported. Lay the baby next to you with his or her chest against yours, facing towards you. Your left arm should support the baby s body and the left hand supporting the baby s head. Now, guide the baby s mouth towards your breast. Many mothers prefer this type of feeding position at night, especially, when the baby wakes up in the middle of the night, and the mother is already lying down.

The football hold

As the name suggests, you tuck the baby under your arm like you hold a football. You will position the baby under your arm, on your side, such that the baby s nose level is at par with your nipple facing up and the baby s feet pointing towards the back. You can place a pillow on your lap and rest your arm on it. You can support the baby s spine, neck, head, and bottom with your hand. This hold is often used by women who had a cesarean section to avoid stress on the tummy.

Also read about 4 common breastfeeding problems and their solutions.

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