- Lay back and place your baby between your breasts.
- Your baby will move towards your breast and attach to your nipple.
- Help your baby in whatever way feels natural.
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Breastfeeding Positions
It’s important that your baby is positioned in a way that allows her to get all the milk she can. Good positioning also helps prevent sore nipples.
Laid Back Hold
Laid Back Position
Cradle and Cross Cradle Hold
Cradle Hold
Cross Cradle Hold
- Lay your baby across your front, tummy to tummy with you and with his nose across from your nipple.
- In the cradle position, your elbow will hold your baby’s head, and your opposite hand will support your baby’s bottom.
- In the cross-cradle position, your hand will support your baby’s head, and the same elbow will support the baby’s bottom.
Football Hold
Football Hold
- Lie your baby at your side with his tummy turned in toward you, and his nose across from your nipple.
Side Lying
Side Lying
- Lie on your side with your knees bent.
- Lie your baby on his side, facing you, with his nose across from your nipple.
- Support your baby by placing your hand, a pillow, or rolled up blanket behind him.
Expert Tip
“Three signs that your baby has a good, deep latch:
- Baby’s mouth is wide open and lips are flipped outward.
- Baby's cheeks are puffed out as she sucks and not dimpled in.
- You can hear her swallowing milk. Sounds like 'ah, ah.'”
Jennifer, WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
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