5 Positions To Breastfeed Your Baby

Knowing breastfeeding techniques is very important. Not only does it help you find a position in which you and your baby feel comfortable, it also gives you the best experience of this beautiful time. One of the fundamental aspects to correctly breastfeed the baby is related to the mother’s posture. She should be aware that the baby’s mouth is well positioned in relation to her breast.

It is important that both mother and baby are comfortable throughout the breastfeeding period. Poor posture can bring a series of problems, such as insufficiency in milk production, which is called hypogalactia, or nipple irritation. Both problems are solved with good breastfeeding technique that can be achieved, in large part, simply through the positions you put yourself into when breastfeeding your baby.

The best positions to breastfeed your baby

Don’t worry, good posture is very simple. Below we will explain five positions suitable for breastfeeding. There are many others, so in addition to the ones we’ll mention below, you can also try the postures recommended by your pediatrician and choose the one that suits you best. Just remember that the most important thing is that you and your baby are comfortable so that this time is as peaceful as possible.

with the mother lying

This is one of the most useful positions for nursing your baby at night. To perform it, the mother and child must be lying on the bed and the child must face the mother’s chest. The baby’s belly should be close to the mother’s body, who can support her head on a folded pillow while also supporting the baby’s head with her hand.

traditional position

In this position, the mother should sit with her shoulders relaxed, holding the baby on her forearm, just below chest height. In this way, the child’s head is supported on the inside of the elbow angle and is in the exact position for breastfeeding. Her body will be supported by yours, while she can hug you.

inverted position

This is a variant of the previous position. The mother supports the child on the opposite side of the breast that she is going to breastfeed, supporting her body and neck on her forearm, and holding the head with her hand. With the other hand, the mother makes a “U” to hold the chest.

It is necessary to place a pillow so that the baby’s body is at chest height. This position is useful for giving both breasts without changing the child’s position, which is a good trick when the baby likes to be on one side more than the other.

sitting position

The mother sits, with her back straight and shoulders relaxed, on a stool or footrest to prevent her thighs from drooping down. The baby is facing the mother, with direct belly-to-belly contact. If necessary, place a pillow or pillow under the baby so that it is closer to the mother’s chest, not the other way around.

American football ball position

In this position it is necessary to place the baby under the arm on the side that he is going to breastfeed. The baby’s body is wrapped around the mother’s waist. The mother holds the baby’s head in her hand, which will also support the back of her little neck.

This nursing posture is very helpful if you have had a cesarean, have cracked nipples, or are nursing two babies at the same time.

Tips for breastfeeding correctly

Remember that whatever position you choose to breastfeed, the baby’s head should be in line with your chest and your mouth at nipple level, without the baby having to turn, bend, or extend their neck. It’s also good to know that  if your baby’s lips and tongue are well positioned, he’ll be properly breastfed in any position.

The baby’s mouth has to be wide open, and the chest well inside, with the nipple touching the upper lip. This way, it leaves space for the tongue to be between the areola and the lower lip, as the child breastfeeds pressing the tongue upwards and towards itself.

According to the manual “Correct Breastfeeding Technique – The Positions”, written by the Health Advisory Team of the Virgen das Neves Hospital, when breastfeeding correctly, the baby works its jaw in this process.

As the baby suckles, the movement of the jaw is rhythmic, and extends to the ears and temples. In this movement it is also possible to notice that your cheeks do not sink in, but are rounded. When the baby breastfeeds in this way, the mother does not feel pain even when she has cracks.