Good positions for breastfeeding

There's no one correct position for breastfeeding. Any of these styles may work well for you and your baby. Or you might make up a completely new one that works for you and your baby.

In the early days of breastfeeding, while you're still learning, you may find it easier to use the same hand for both breasts. This means you will hold your baby across your lap to feed on one breast, and then to feed from the other breast, you'll hold your baby under your arm.

Side-lying hold:

Lying down with your bodies parallel.

Cradle hold (same arm):

Holding your baby across your lap, supporting her with the arm on the same side as your breast.

Cradle hold (opposite arm):

Holding your baby across your lap, using the opposite arm to the breast she is feeding from to support her.

Rugby ball hold:

Holding your baby underarm.

Twins hold:

Using a cushion under your babies as you gently support them with your hands on their upper backs.

Koala hold:

Supporting your baby while she's straddled across your knees in an upright position.

Laid-back breastfeeding (biological nurturing):

Semi-reclined, with your baby lying across your stomach or shoulder.

Laid-back breastfeeding after a caesarean:

Semi-reclined, with your baby lying vertically on you, to protect your caesarean wound.

If you find a position that works for you and your baby, it's fine to stick with it. But as your baby gets older, and you become more practised, you will probably want to change positions.

Your position may also depend on where you are when you're breastfeeding.

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