How to breastfeed
Breastfeeding your baby is a unique experience. It is important to follow doctor's recommendations, which will be a personalised tracking of your situation and particular needs.
There are lots of different positions you can use to breastfeed. You can try different ones to find out what works best for you. You just need to check the following points:
- Are you comfortable? It's worth getting comfortable before a feed. Use pillows or cushions if necessary. Your shoulders and arms should be relaxed.
- Are your baby's head and body in a straight line? It's hard for your baby to swallow if their head and neck are twisted.
- Are you holding your baby close to you, facing your breast? Supporting their neck, shoulders and back should allow them to tilt their head back and swallow easily.
- Always bring your baby to the breast and let them latch themselves. Avoid leaning your breast forward into your baby's mouth, as this can lead to poor attachment.
- Your baby needs to get a big mouthful of breast. Placing your baby with their nose level with your nipple will encourage them to open their mouth wide and attach to the breast well.
- Try not to hold the back of your baby's head, so that they can tip their head back. This way your nipple goes past the hard roof of their mouth and ends up at the back of their mouth against the soft palate.
Breastfeeding positions
Before you breastfeed your baby, have a drink beside you – something thirst quenching like a big glass of water. There are a few different breastfeeding positions you can try; these are 4 of the most popular :
Cradle hold
This is probably the most popular breastfeeding position. However, if you've had a caesarean, this may be uncomfortable as your baby lies across your tummy near the scar (try lying on your side or the rugby hold instead). For the cradle hold, sit in a comfy chair with armrests, or a bed with cushions or pillows around you.
- Lie your baby across your lap, facing you.
- Place your baby's head on your forearm – nose towards your nipple. Your hand should support the length of their body.
- Place your baby's lower arm under yours.
- Check to make sure your baby's ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.
Here is a top tip…
if you're sitting on a chair, rest your feet on a stool or small table – this will stop you from leaning forward which can make your back ache.
Lying on your side
This is a good position if you've had a caesarean or difficult delivery, or if you're breastfeeding in the middle of the night.
- Start by getting comfy lying on your side. Your baby lies facing you, so you are tummy to tummy. Check to make sure your baby's ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line – not twisted.
- Put some cushions or pillows behind you for support. A rolled-up baby blanket placed behind your baby will help support them - remember to remove it after you have finished feeding. If you've got a pillow under your head, make sure it's not too close to your baby's head or face.
- Tuck the arm you're lying on under your head or pillow (ensuring your baby's position isn't altered by the pillow) and use your free arm to support and guide your baby's head to your breast.
Laid-back nursing
Laid-back breastfeeding, also known as "biological nursing", is when you lie back in a comfortable semi-reclined position on a comfy sofa or bed. If you have had a caesarean section (c-section), your baby can lie across you and away from your incision.
- Lean back (but not flat) on a sofa or bed.
- Prop yourself up with cushions or pillows so your back, shoulders and neck feel supported.
- When you are comfortable, place your baby on your front. Their tummy should be resting on your tummy – but if this is uncomfortable, lie them to one side.
- Make sure you are upright enough to look into your baby's eyes
- While supporting your baby, gently guide your baby to your nipple.
Rugby hold (or the ‘clutch’)
The rugby hold is a good position for twins as you can feed them at the same time, as well as caesarean babies as there's no pressure on the tummy and scar area.
- Sit in a chair with a cushion or pillow along your side.
- Position your baby at your side (the side you want to feed from), under your arm, with their hips close to your hips.
- Your baby's nose should be level with your nipple.
- Support your baby's neck with the palm of your hand.
