Key takeaways: There’s no single “right” position. Cross-cradle and football holds give good control for newborns. Laid-back nursing uses gravity and your baby’s instincts. Side-lying lets you rest, but stay awake and keep the bed safe. Bring your baby to you, not you to your baby.
The best breastfeeding position is the one that’s comfortable for you and lets your baby latch deeply. Many parents use several positions depending on time of day, recovery from birth, and their baby’s age. Here are the main ones.
Principles for Every Position
- Get comfortable first. Support your back, arms, and feet. Pillows help.
- Bring your baby to the breast, not the breast to your baby. Leaning forward leads to back and neck pain.
- Tummy to tummy: your baby’s ear, shoulder, and hip should be in a straight line, facing you.
- Nose to nipple: start with your baby’s nose across from your nipple so they tilt their head back to latch.
- Support the neck and shoulders, not the back of the head.
1. Laid-Back (Biological Nurturing)
How: recline comfortably at about 45 degrees, well supported. Lay your baby tummy-down on your chest or across your body, with their whole front in contact with you. Let your baby find the breast, helping as needed.
Why it works: gravity holds your baby close, and this position triggers babies’ instinctive feeding reflexes. Many find it helpful for tricky latches, a fast flow, or sore nipples.
Good for: the first days, skin-to-skin, oversupply, and babies who struggle with latching.
2. Cross-Cradle
How: to feed on the left breast, hold your baby with your right arm. Your right hand supports the baby’s neck and shoulders, with your palm between the shoulder blades. Your left hand can support the breast.
Why it works: you can control your baby’s head and guide them onto the breast.
Good for: newborns, premature babies, and anyone learning to latch.
3. Football (Clutch)
How: tuck your baby along your side, under your arm on the same side as the breast you’re feeding from, like holding a football. Your baby’s feet point toward your back. Support the neck and shoulders with your hand, and use a pillow to bring your baby to breast height.
Why it works: keeps pressure off your abdomen and gives a clear view of the latch.
Good for: after a cesarean birth, large breasts, flat nipples, twins, and small or premature babies.
4. Cradle
How: your baby lies across your lap, with their head resting in the crook of your arm on the same side as the breast you’re feeding from. Your forearm supports their back, and your hand holds their bottom or thigh.
Why it works: it’s a classic, comfortable position once your baby has a good latch and better head control.
Good for: older babies and experienced feeders. It can be harder for newborns because it offers less head control.
5. Side-Lying
How: lie on your side with a pillow behind your back and between your knees. Place your baby on their side facing you, tummy to tummy, with their nose across from your nipple. Use your lower arm above your baby’s head or under your own head, not under the baby.
Why it works: lets you rest while feeding.
Good for: night feeds, after a cesarean birth or a difficult vaginal birth.
Safety: if you might fall asleep, make the bed as safe as possible: firm mattress, no pillows or blankets near your baby, baby away from gaps or the edge, and no alcohol, sedating medications, or smoking. Return your baby to their own sleep space when you’re done or if you wake up. The AAP recommends that babies sleep on a separate surface.
Positions for Special Situations
- After a cesarean: football, side-lying, and laid-back positions keep pressure off your incision.
- Large breasts: football hold or a rolled washcloth under the breast for support.
- Fast letdown: laid-back nursing lets your baby manage the flow.
- Reflux or congestion: a more upright position, such as a koala hold (baby straddling your thigh, upright).
- Twins: double football is a popular choice for tandem feeding.
Signs the Position Is Working
- Your baby can tilt their head back and latch deeply.
- You can hold the position comfortably for the whole feed.
- You hear or see swallowing.
- Feeding doesn’t cause ongoing nipple pain.
Get help if: breastfeeding is painful past the first minute of feeds, your nipples are damaged, your baby can’t stay latched, or your baby isn’t producing enough wet and dirty diapers. A lactation consultant (IBCLC) can watch a feed and help you find positions that work.
The Bottom Line
Try several positions to find what fits your body, your baby, and the moment. Good alignment and support matter more than the name of the hold.
See my book, From First Breath to First Birthday, which includes multiple chapters about breastfeeding, breastfeeding the NICU baby, pumping and troubleshooting.
Sources
- Colson SD, Meek JH, Hawdon JM. Optimal positions for the release of primitive neonatal reflexes stimulating breastfeeding. Early Hum Dev. 2008;84(7):441-449.
- Meek JY, Noble L; Section on Breastfeeding. Policy statement: breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057988.
- Wambach K, Spencer B, eds. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. 6th ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2021.
- Moon RY, Carlin RF, Hand I; Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Sleep-related infant deaths: updated 2022 recommendations for reducing infant deaths in the sleep environment. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057990.
- Blair PS, Ball HL, McKenna JJ, et al; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Bedsharing and breastfeeding: the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #6, revision 2019. Breastfeed Med. 2020;15(1):5-16.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
