How To Be Comfortable When Feeding Your Baby?

Hold your Baby into the Right Position

How do we progress from hard to easy on your breastfeeding journey? Read on to find out.

Hey moms, we know one of the most challenging things about motherhood is breastfeeding. For many mums, breastfeeding comes as a natural process. But, in some cases, adapting to breastfeed is just plain hard. How much to feed the baby, how important is milk consumption for your baby, when to stop breastfeeding, what position to hold the baby while feeding are some of the many questions that will constantly be on top of your mind.

You and your baby each have different needs, exactly why one style may not fit all moms and babies. There are many different breastfeeding positions, from the cross-cradle hold to the football hold. In fact, it’s always good to switch your breastfeeding positions, to allow your breasts to fully empty, and to prevent conditions like mastitis.

Here are the best breastfeeding positions to get you and baby started on this special breastfeeding journey.

1. The cross-cradle hold:

The cross-cradle is one of the best positions for your first time breastfeeding. It's very simple, find a comfortable chair with armrests, and sit up straight. Bring your baby across the front of your body. How do you know if you're doing it right? Your tummy should touch the baby's tummy and there you are. Hold the baby's body in your arms opposite from the breast you’re going to feed on. Use the right arm for the left breast and vice versa. Rest the baby's head with one hand, and with the other, support your breast from the underside. Gently guide your baby’s mouth to the breast without leaning forward. This is a good position if your baby is having some difficulty latching on because it makes it easier for you to guide the head into a better position by holding the back of their neck between your fingers and thumb.

2. Cradle position:

This position is the most common and easy breastfeeding hold for a slightly older baby. It’s best for moms who want to be discrete in public, too. So how to do the cradle hold? Cradle baby in your arm of the same side as the breast you’re feeding on left arm for left breast and right arm for right breast. Your baby should be laying on their side, with their head resting on your arm as a pillow. Use soft pillows or nursing pillows to prop up your arm and your baby so that your baby’s mouth is up to breast level. For newborns, the baby’s bottom and head should be in line. For older babies, you may drop their bottom down a bit. Use your free hand to support your breast if needed.

3. Football hold:

The football hold is an excellent position for moms of Caesarean babies as it keeps them from putting pressure on the incision. It’s also great for moms of twins or a mom who is tandem nursing, as each child can be latched on at the same time. Your baby should be lying on their back next to you, with their legs at your side under the arm. Use pillows to get your baby to breast level. Use the arm on the side your baby is on to support their head, like in the cross-cradle hold. Support your breast with the other hand, and then bring baby’s face up to meet the breast. Your baby will be at a slight angle. Use additional pillows to prop up your baby and your arm so you don’t get tired.

4. Side-lying hold:

If at all you’re feeling tired, you can just lie down to feed, but hey, stay awake. Nursing while lying on your side, instead of sitting, is a good option if you’ve had a c-section. You can lie on your side and face your baby towards your breast, making sure he’s supported with one hand. Use the other hand to take your breast and touch the nipple to your baby’s lips. Once he latches on, you can then use one arm to support yourself and the other to hold your baby close. And there you are extremely comfortable.

5. The Biological Nursing position:

This one can be particularly helpful for moms who have smaller breasts, for new-borns, and babies with super-sensitive tummies or excess gas. Lean back on a bed or couch, well supported by pillows in a semi-reclining position, so that when you put your baby tummy-to-tummy onto your body, head near your breast, gravity will keep him or her molded to you. Your baby can rest on you in any direction, as long as the whole front of the body is against yours and he or she can reach your breast. Your baby can naturally latch on in this position, or you can help by directing the nipple toward your little one's mouth. Once the baby is set up at your breast, you don’t have to do much besides lie back and relax.

The breastfeeding experience is different for every woman, and it’s OK to have a slow start. The more you feed, the easier it will get and before you know it, your breastfeeding journey will transition into the weaning journey and you have to think of feeding your baby solid foods! Good luck moms, you’ve got this!

So which is the most comfortable breastfeeding position for you? Do let us know in the comment section below.