There are so many different breastfeeding positions. Some of these positions can be used for all babies, but others are especially suited for particular purposes.
For example, the Double Cradle hold, lateral position, and double football hold are different breastfeeding positions especially suitable for twin babies.
Meanwhile, the upright or laid-back positions are especially suited for babies with reflux.
For a successful breastfeeding journey, you and your baby must adjust and learn the different breastfeeding positions for babies to ensure adequate milk flow.
This post focuses on the different breastfeeding positions for proper latching and fast flow. I also outline some other topics here.
This includes twins breastfeeding positions, upright breastfeeding positions and breastfeeding positions for older babies, breastfeeding positions for newborns, side-lying breastfeeding positions, and lots others.
Breastfeeding position and latching or breastfeeding positioning and attachment. Latching is the way a baby attaches the nipple when breastfeeding.
When you place your baby on the breast, you help him latch by putting his mouth on the nipple and to cover the area around the areola.
A good latch promotes milk flow and better satisfaction for the infant and reduces soreness and cracked nipples. A newborn will not immediately master how to latch correctly. This is also true for a first-time mom.
She may not know how to breastfeed to position the baby rightly, but with time and constant practice, breastfeeding will become an enjoyable experience for both mother and baby.
To achieve fast milk flow, for comfort, and to meet the unique needs of your infants, you need to stay in the correct breastfeeding position and get the proper attachment for the baby.
We will discuss the correct breastfeeding positions and attachments below.
Breastfeeding Positions To Reduce Gas
Gas is common in babies, especially if the baby does not latch properly. However, with some great breastfeeding positions to reduce gas, you can minimize that. Let’s see some.
1. Upright Or Semi Upright Hold
This is a great breastfeeding position that helps reduce gas because it allows for better control of the flow of milk, reducing the amount of air taken in during breastfeeding.
Since the baby is Upright, he will be less likely to gulp air when sucking.
2. Laid-back Breastfeeding Position
This position also helps reduce gas by slowing down the milk flow. In a laid-back or reclined position, the mother lies with the back flat or at an angle.
The baby lies flat with his belly resting on the mother’s, and the baby’s head is above the breast.
This position reduces the gravity of milk flow and the forceful let that is often accompanied by excessive swallowing of air.
3. Baby Standing Breastfeeding Position
This is also another excellent breastfeeding position that helps reduces gas, but it is for older babies. Here, you and the baby are almost at the age level ( you can bend or sit to adjust to the baby’s height).
The baby stands, and you position the breasts into the baby’s mouth. It allows for proper latching, reducing the amount of air sucked in and gas.
Breast Feeding Positions For Reflux
Similar to belching, babies commonly experience reflux during feeding.
For babies with reflux, it is recommended that mothers breastfeed with positions that elevate the baby’s head higher than her tummy. Some positions that can help with reflux include:
1. The Koala Upright Breastfeeding Position
As I explained above, this breastfeeding position keeps the baby upright, minimizing the pressure in the stomach.
2. Cradle Hold
The cradle hold also reduces pressure in the belly and keeps the baby’s head slightly higher than the belly. The gravity helps for faster digestion of milk, reducing reflux.
3. Football Hold
In the football hold, you place the baby on the breast and elevate the baby’s head with both hands like you are holding a football, and the extra support from the pillow will help position the baby rightly.
This is one of the best breastfeeding positions for reflux because gravity helps to aid digestion.
4. The Straddle Position
In this position. the baby sits on your lap, with legs towards your back. You place the breast into the baby’s mouth with one hand and use the other hand to support his back.
Breastfeeding Positions After C-section
After C-section, you are expected to avoid anything that would cause pressure on the incision scar. So you have to choose the right breastfeeding technique to avoid pressure on the scar.
Below are some breastfeeding positions after C-section.
1. Laid back or reclined position.
2. Side-lying Positions
3. Football Hold
4. Cradle hold
Twin Babies Breastfeeding Positions
When breastfeeding twins at once, you must be extra careful to support each baby so they latch correctly on the breasts and get sufficient milk from each feeding.
Here are some breastfeeding positions for twins
1. Cross Cradle or the Criss Cross hold
2. Double Football Hold
3. Parallel Hold
4. Football and cradle position
5. Same direction or lateral position
6. Tangled position
Breastfeeding Positions For Older Babies
Older babies can use almost any breastfeeding technique; however, the breastfeeding techniques most convenient for older babies are the upright breastfeeding position. Below are some of them:
1. Side-lying position
2. Baby Standing position
3. Upright breastfeeding positions/Koala
Breastfeeding Position For Large Breasts
Women who have large breasts have to position the breasts properly so that the baby attaches to the nipple and does not get suffocated.
Here are the best breastfeeding positions suitable for women with large breasts that they can feed easily from.
1. Football Hold
2. Cradle Hold
3. Side-lying Positions
4. Laid back/Reclined position
5. Cross Cradle hold
6. Baby in the laps
Breastfeeding Positions For Fast Flow
If you have a fast flow, it may cause your baby to gulp too much milk and air when sucking. It would be best if you controlled the latch so it doesn’t lead to chokes, gags, or coughs.
Here are some breastfeeding positions that can help with the fast let-down of milk:
1. Football Hold
2. Cradle hold
3. Laid-back breastfeeding position
4. Side-lying position
5. Sitting up or straddling position
15 Breastfeeding Positions For Proper Latching And Fast Flow
There are so many breastfeeding positions used to feed infants and older babies. Each breastfeeding position is unique to meet a specific need of the infant or toddler.
Below are some of the common breastfeeding positions.
- Laid Back or reclined position
- Under Arm/Rugby Ball Hold
- Side-lying position
- Cross Cradle hold
- Cradle
- Dangle feeding
- Baby in the laps
- Upright breastfeeding positions
- Tangled breastfeeding position
- Breastfeeding with a sling
- Lateral position
- Double Football Hold
AND lots more.
Let’s discuss 15 breastfeeding positions for a good latch and fast flow in more details.
1. Laid Back Reclined Positions
This is the natural position most women adopt after birth. It is also called the “Biological nurturing technique”.
In this technique, the body is reclined at an angle of 45 degrees, either on a bed or a headboard supported with pillows.
The baby is placed closely to rest on your body; his belly rests on your belly, and the face faces your face while you support his body with your arms.
If you have large breasts, you may use one arm to hold your baby and the other hand to hold your breast so that the baby attaches to the nipple correctly.
Placing a baby in this position before breastfeeding encourages the baby’s sucking instinct. Most babies will search for the nipple, open the mouth and suck on it.
This position aids fast flow because gravity promotes faster let down of milk. It is also handy for twin babies in breastfeeding positions and babies who have difficulty latching at the breast.
2. Cradle Hold
This is the breastfeeding position that comes to mind when you picture a woman breastfeeding. Here, the woman sits upright, resting her back on a chair.
The baby is positioned on either of her sides, depending on where she wants to feed from. His neck rests on her forearm, and the rest part of the body rests on her stomach.
She uses the arm the baby is resting on to support the baby’s back and the opposite to support the baby’s butt so that baby is held firmly to the mother’s body. This way, the baby latches well at the nipple.
If you use this position, ensure that the nose points towards your nipple and that his ears, shoulders, and hip are aligned. This breastfeeding position may not fully support your infant if you do not know how to use it.
This was the breastfeeding technique I used when I started breastfeeding, and I struggled for the first few weeks before I mastered it, but it soon became my favorite breastfeeding technique when I did.
You can use breastfeeding pillows to support the baby so that he doesn’t struggle to attach to the breasts because he is too high.
Once you master this technique, you can monitor how your baby is feeding. It also gives you the advantage of smiling and communicating with your baby during breastfeeding.
3. Under Arm /Rugby Ball Hold
This breastfeeding position is also called the underarm clutch. Like the name, the under-arm clutch technique of breastfeeding requires that you place the baby under the arm for support.
To do this, you can place cushions or breastfeeding pillows on any side of the breast you want to feed on. You will probably get better support if sitting on a chair with a soft backrest.
If you are feeding on the right breast, place your hand behind the baby’s shoulder and neck to support the baby’s body and bring the baby to the breast.
For extra support, use your other arm to elevate your baby’s head, position your baby to latch correctly, and support your arm with pillows on your side.
This technique is ideal for twins or babies who have difficulty latching correctly because it gives you a good view of your child’s face so you can adjust your baby in the breast when necessary.
It is also a perfect breastfeeding position for feeding preterm babies, moms with a C-section or large breasts, and babies with reflux.
4. Side-lying Position
This is done on a bed, mat, or sizeable long sofa. Here, you position on either the left or right side with your head resting on a pillow at the top of your non-dominant arm.
Your baby is placed at your side. You use your dominant arm to guide the baby to the nipple and help him latch properly. You can use the dominant arm to support the baby’s back when he has latched.
You can also place a small folded piece of cloth on the bed before lying down to rest your rib cage and help you lift your body upwards so that the baby attaches nicely to the nipple if you have large breasts.
This position is helpful if you have had a C-section or have to stay in bed for some time after delivery. I used this position a lot for my night feeds when my baby was older and had developed a better gag reflex.
If you have to use this position for newborns, you must be alert and ensure that the body latches well so the baby does not choke.
5. Upright Breastfeeding Or Koala Hold
This breastfeeding technique works well for young infants who have had reflux or older babies. In this position, the baby sits on your lap with the two legs straddling the hips.
With your arm, position the spine and head upright, and with the other arm, you place the baby’s mouth on your nipples.
This position allows you to look directly into your baby’s eyes and gauge how well your baby is feeding. It also allows you to communicate effectively with your baby.
For small babies, you can use a Breastfeeding pillow to prop the baby up so that his height can be at the same level as the breasts.
It may be tricky to use for smaller babies who have not learned how to sit well, so you need to support the child’s neck and back correctly.
6. Dangle Feeding
The baby lies on his back in this breastfeeding position. The mother bends or squats on all fours over the baby and dangles the breast over the child’s mouth.
This way, the child attaches to the nipple, and she feeds him. This technique helps let-down and faster milk flow because the breast is under gravity.
It also helps those women who have mastitis or blocked milk duct because the baby’s sucking force and gravity can help unclog the milk duct. For more information on how to unclog milk duct, read the article here.
Dangle feeding can also be used lying on a bed, sofa, or sitting. In these cases, you only need to tilt your back forward so the breasts can dangle.
When sitting, you can use this method by lying the baby on your lap, using small folds of towels to support the head, and tilting your back forwards towards the baby so that the breast can dangle.
You may not use this technique all the time as it does cause some discomfort and back strain. However, using pillows and cushions while using this breastfeeding method can help support your back.
7. Use Of Slings
You can breastfeed while carrying your baby in a sling. It is convenient and allows you to do other things.
This breastfeeding method is similar to the upright breastfeeding technique, only that the baby does not have to sit on your lap or straddle your hips.
The sling gives your baby support so he can position himself well on the nipple. If using the sling technique for young children, you may need a breastfeeding pillow to prop the child up.
This technique requires practice and may be suitable for older babies who are already used to sucking and can hold the head and back upwards.
For a sling technique, you can use wraps like a sarong to wrap the baby and place him around you if you are skilled in doing this. Or you can get ready-made wraps like stretchy wraps, front carriers, or ring slings instead.
Note that while using slings, be careful not to press the baby too close to the chest, so buy a sling that isn’t too small or too big.
8. Double Rugby Ball Method
This is a great breastfeeding position used for feeding twins at once. Like the laid-back reclined position, you only need to slant your back at the bed’s headboard or a chair.
Then place the babies at both breasts supporting their heads with your hands and ensuring that they latch correctly.
You will need a twin breastfeeding pillow to elevate the baby’s head for proper positioning and minimizing pressure on the belly or chest.
9. Dancers’ Hand Position
This position is ideal for newborns, babies born before their due date or babies with illnesses or other conditions. This position helps support the baby’s head and chin as he latches at the nipple.
To use this technique, place your palms underneath the breasts, use your index finger and thumb to make a “U-shape,” and use your remaining three fingers to support the breast.
Prop the baby In a sitting position, and with your non-dominant hands support, attach the baby’s mouth to the nipple while supporting his head.
Rest your thumb and index fingers on the baby’s chin to guide the way he sucks and to support his chin while sucking.
This position helps the baby latch properly and allows you to control the baby’s latch to prevent reflux or choking. It also enables you to assist the baby in sucking correctly.
10. Laid Back Lying Position
This is the breastfeeding position suitable for after C-section. Unlike the laid-back reverse position, the laid-back lying position requires you to lie face up on the bed.
You position your body across your left or right shoulder and place the breast on the nipple on the baby’s mouth.
With this method, you can nurse your baby comfortably, without pressure on your belly, and you have lesser chances of scratching the incision scar.
11. Cross-Cradle Hold
The baby lies on your lap, and you position him on the side you want to feed from.
The head rests on your non-dominant arms and after placing the nipple on his mouth, use your dominant arm to support his neck and back.
This breastfeeding position is suitable for babies born prematurely or with poor sucking reflexes as it makes it easier to gauge how well the baby is sucking, and you have a good view of the baby’s mouth.
12. Double Cradle Hold
This is a similar breastfeeding position to the cradle hold, only that it is suitable for twins.
To do this, you place a breastfeeding pillow on your lap, then place each baby on the crook of your elbow while you rest your arms on your lap.
Crisscross each baby and interlock your fingers together for firm support on the breasts but ensure your hands are not locked too tight so that your baby’s nose does not press on the nipple.
13. Sitting Up Position
You may use this technique for older babies or babies who can latch properly.
In the sitting-up position, you sit on a chair with your back rested, and you lie the baby on the lap, with his face facing towards the breast you want to feed on.
You can use a pillow for extra support and elevate the baby’s height if you are pretty tall.
With your dominant hand, cup the breast as a C-hold, and with your non-dominant hand, support the baby’s head with your elbow and the butt with your palm.
Guide the baby’s mouth to the nipple to allow the baby to suck.
This position may strain your back and neck because you may have to tilt forwards to face the baby, which is why you need to level the baby almost the same height as your breasts so that he can feed well.
14. Baby-Standing Breastfeeding Position
This position is suitable for older babies who can stand. The mother can kneel or sit so that she is almost at the age level with the baby, and the baby stands.
Using one hand to support the breasts, she places the nipple on the baby’s mouth so that he sucks. This position is for babies who are skilled at sucking and do not have reflux.
It is also suitable and convenient for the mother, allowing her to do other things with her free hands.
15. Upright Latch
This is another twin breastfeeding position. Here, you can wrap both babies, use a pillow to prop them up, and place them Upright close to the nipples.
Use both hands to support each baby as they suck. This breastfeeding position may not work well for mothers with large breasts as they may have to use their hands to support the breasts.
Conclusion
These are by no means all the breastfeeding positions, but I have brought to you the most common ones.
These are suitable for moms with incision scars, twins or multiples, with gas, reflux and other issues you may face while breastfeeding.
I hope you find them useful. Try them out and let me know what you think.
Don’t forget to share to other mommas!
