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Intro: |
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Neither you nor your baby should have to hold an uncomfortable position during nursing--one that tires you or makes it difficult to continue nursing for long. Here are some positions to try (learn them all, and you can use whichever is most appropriate at the time): Cradle hold. Sit up straight, with a pillow behind you to support your back if needed. Cradle your baby in your bent arm, with his or her head resting in the bend of your elbow, mouth in front of your breast, and his or her tummy facing you. Your baby's ear, shoulder, and hip should be in a straight line (no neck or waist bending or twisting). Support your breast with your fingers below and your thumb above the areola (the dark halo around the nipple), and pull the baby in to your breast to latch on (see Step 3).
Football hold. This is a good hold for a variety of situations, from large breasts to a small baby. Position your baby face-up along your side, with his or her body between your arm and your body and your hand cradling his or her head. Support your breast as in the cradle hold, and pull the baby in close against your breast to latch.
Side-lying position. This is a good position if you're uncomfortable sitting up for any reason, or for midnight feedings. Position yourself and your baby on your sides, tummy to tummy. Lift your breast with your fingers and pull your baby in as he or she latches on.
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Position your baby
