Top 10 Breastfeeding Positions

This is a guest post written by Suzy Richards. She is a lovely mother of 3 girls (3 years, 4 years and 5) and a simple woman who is ready to share her priceless experience with other mommies around the world. She is an Advanced Practice Provider who passed birth doula and postpartum doula courses at Childbirth International in 2013. Susy is passionate about providing holistic care and is involved in pregnancy research currently publishing her articles concerning pregnancy on site rocketparents.com

Many moms decide to start breastfeeding because it is healthiest for the baby. However, many new moms are not aware of the many options to hold their newborn while nursing. With a little guidance, mothers can find the best breastfeeding position for them and not have to use the same one continuously.

Here are the top 10 breastfeeding positions:

1. Lay Back – The lay-back position is one of the most common positions used by mothers. You can lay back against a pillow or back in a lounge chair, placing the baby on your chest.

2. Cradle – The cradle position is also a common technique used by mothers. You hold the child in your arm and let it drink while you are standing or sitting. It is recommended that you try and use the same hand.

3. Lay Down – One position that is becoming more popular is the lay-down position. This is one of the most protective ways to breastfeed, as long as you don’t fall asleep. Here you lay the child on the floor or a bed and feed them from above with either breast.

4. Football – This position is also referred to as the Rugby position. Here you would hold the baby like a football, under one arm.

5. Side Lye – This position is similar to the lay down, but here the mother lies on her side and switch to the other side of here lying position when she switches breast. This position is more comfortable for the mother, but remember to hold so it will not roll away from you if you are using this position on a bed or sofa.

6. Cross Hold – Here is a position that allows you to hold the baby with the opposite arm and hold your breast with the same side arm the baby is feeding.

7. Koala – The Koala position is when the child is sitting on one knee and you are feeding on that same side breast.

8. Chest Hold – This feeding position is a little more uncomfortable for the mother. It is when the mother hold the baby’s head with both hands and squeezes her elbows together. The chest-hold position is commonly used while standing up and protects the baby from falling to the floor.

9. Assisted Hold – This hold is used when a mother needs assistance holding the child while breastfeeding. It is used when one or both the mother’s arms are injured or the mother is unable to use her arms for another reason.

10. Twins Hold – Having twins is a blessing, but also challenging for the mother. This position is when the mother places one child on each breast to feed them at the same time. Usually done in a laying position.

If you find a position that is comfortable and you like using, it is perfectly fine to use instead of bottles for breastfed babies. You may have to adjust your position as the child grows bigger, but that means the baby is moving away from breastfeeding finally.