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Cross cradle hold
This position is useful when you are just learning
When you are sure that the baby is attached and suckling well, you can bring that hand and arm around the baby too.
Cradle hold
The position most mums use instinctively
Your hand needs to be supporting your baby’s shoulders and he is free to tilt his head back out over your wrist. Baby’s head needs to be free to tilt back.
Lying down hold
Useful if you have:
- Painful stitches or haemorrhoids
- Had a caesarean section
- Also helpful if you are tired, and need to feed and rest, but make sure it is safe for your baby if you were to fall asleep while feeding.
The 'laid back' and 'natural' positions
Another way to enable your baby to be able to access the breast is to place baby on your body and allow her to self attach. You need to be reclining so that your baby feels secure. You may need to support baby and/or your breast.
Positioning yourself and your baby in this way can help gently encourage skin to skin and body contact, and to enjoy a special closeness without either feeling any pressure to “get on with” feeding. Instead, this position encourages your baby to use natural reflex behaviour to help them to find your breast and feed effectively when ready.
Please click here for NHS Choices supportUnderarm/rugby ball hold
Very helpful if you have:
- A small or pre-term baby
- A caesarean section
- Large breasts or inverted nipples