Best positions for breastfeeding: photos

by Holly Bennett |

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  1 / 8

  Side-lying hold

  Lets you rest and relax while your baby feeds.
  
  Lie down, with your body and your baby's body parallel. Snuggle up to your baby and bring her to your breast.
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  Cradle hold (same arm)

  Get comfy in a chair or on the sofa. Put a pillow or cushion on your lap to support your baby. This will make feeding easier on your arms.
  
  Support your baby's head with the opposite arm to the breast you are feeding from. Gently bring your baby's head to your breast.
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  Cradle hold (opposite arm)

  Lay a pillow or cushion on your lap. Place your baby on the pillow, supporting her body with the opposite arm to your breast. Your baby's head can rest snugly in the crook of your arm while she feeds.
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  Football hold

  If your baby is a kicker, this may be the position for you.
  
  Place your baby so that her body is underneath one of your arms, with her head near your breast. Support her head with the same arm as your breast.
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  Twins hold

  Make yourself comfortable, and get a large pillow or cushion to put on your lap. This will help you to support both of your babies. If possible, have someone nearby who can pass you your babies.
  
  Try putting one baby under each arm, with their heads near your breasts. You can use the same arm as your breast to support each baby.
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  Koala hold

  Support your baby while she's straddled across your knees, well-supported, in an upright position.
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  Laid-back breastfeeding (biological nurturing)

  Lie down in a semi-reclined position. Encourage your baby to lie across your stomach or shoulder and find her own way to your breast.
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  Laid-back breastfeeding after a caesarean

  Lie down in a semi-reclined position, with your baby lying vertically on you. This will help to avoid her touching your healing wound as she finds your breast to feed.
  
  See also: A visual guide to baby poo

Holly Bennett

Holly Bennett is a writer and editor who worked as an assistant editor for BabyCentre. She worked on a range of topics including fertility, pregnancy health and nutrition.

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