Positions
for Breastfeeding
"Babies
are born to be breastfed!"
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
There
isn't a best breastfeeding position, what ever
feels more comfortable for your baby and you will
be which one you will likely use the most. You
may like some better than others if you are nursing
your baby before bedtime or are attempting to
multi-task while breastfeeding. Some times a nursing
session will involve a pillow to add extra support
and other times that you nurse you will find a
comfortable position that allows you to only need
your arms, although an arm of a chair can help
or even your leg if it is crossed up high over
you other leg. No matter which you choose you
will find the position or many positions that
suit you and your baby during the time that you
are breastfeeding them. |
Breastfeeding
Reading |
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Kinds
of Breastfeeding Positions
Cradle Position - While resting your arm
on an arm of a rocking chair you can easily breastfeed and
rock your infant in the cradle position. You can use your
bent leg as an extra support as well. Simply line your baby's
mouth with your nipple and face them towards you, resting
their head on the inside of your arm's elbow on the same
side of the breast that you will be feeding them with. You
can cup their bottom, with either hand as your baby get
bigger you may find that you need to support them with your
other arm that their head is not resting on.
Clutch
or Football Position - This breastfeeding position
is ideal for moms who had to have a c-section because it
allows a mom the ability to breastfeed their child without
having to rest their baby on their healing incision. Turn
your baby towards you so their feet will curve around your
body, having a nursing pillow can help accomplish this position
a lot more easily.
Cross-Cradle
Position - Similar to the cradle and clutch position
the cross-cradle position has you using one arm to support
your baby and in this case with the opposite arm of the
side of the breast that you are using to breastfeed your
infant. Once again while you baby is young you will be able
to do this more easily, as your baby grows in length and
puts on weight you may decide to use a nursing pillow to
assist you.
Side-Lying Position - This position is
great for late night, early morning and those middle of
the night feedings that your infant needs. Lie down next
to your baby so that they are lined up with your breast.
Turn to your side and turn them on their side facing you,
using the arm you are not laying on you can keep them in
place while they suckle, you can turn your body so you can
nurse them with either breast. This position can be very
comfortable for both mommy and baby.
Now while
you can use all of these breastfeeding positions when you
are feeding your newborn when your infant can sit up you
can use another position when you are feeding them.
Saddle
Position - Once your baby is able to sit up you
can set them on your knee facing your breast and nurse them
while they sit up, holding their torso is a good idea for
both their safety and the avoidances of accidentally pulling
on the nipple.
