When it comes to parenthood, figuring out how to feed your baby can be a real learning curve – with some opting to breastfeed, whilst for others, it's formula all the way (reminder: fed is always best, so if breastfeeding doesn't pan out for you, it does not mean you've failed).
Still, breastfeeding remains a popular choice for mums and comes recommended by the World Health Organisation (who advise breastfeeding the child until it is at least six months old); in fact, almost 68% of women in the UK say they've opted to try breastfeeding. Stats also show, however, that 20% of these women stopped after the 6 to 8 weeks mark.
As for why this might be, the UK Health Security Agency says that support – and knowledge – is key, "We know that a supportive partner and family can boost a mother's confidence, providing encouragement to continue with breastfeeding."
Thankfully, on the knowledge front, Dr Tiffany Pham (DO), board-certified OB-GYN and medical advisor at Flo Health, has shared how to find the best breastfeeding position for your baby, plus the pros and cons of five popular choices.
All of the following descriptions - which set out how best to position your baby for each hold - are also sourced from the expert, so you can breastfeed with confidence.
Best breastfeeding position for a newborn
The cradle hold
- Place your baby across your lap, their face should be facing towards you.
- Using the arm on the side that you are feeding from, cradle your baby's head on your forearm near the crook of your elbow and use the rest of your forearm and hand to support the remainder of their body.
- The baby's arm that is closest to the floor (the bottom arm) should be tucked under your arm that is supporting your baby. Check to make sure that your baby's ear, shoulder, and hip are in a straight line – as that will make it easier for the baby to breastfeed.
For many mums, this will be a familiar position, says Dr Pham, and of all the holds, it is typically the most common. She explains: "It is an easier position to utilise when you have larger babies or babies who are efficient and well-established feeders."
However, you may wish to opt for a different position if you're nursing a newborn. "One disadvantage with this position is that it offers little head control, therefore it can be more difficult to nurse newborns due to the lack of support," says Dr Pham.
The cross-cradle hold
- This position resembles the cradle position; however, rather than supporting your baby with the arm on the side they will be feeding from, you will use your opposite arm to support the length of your baby.
- Taking the opposite arm, wrap your forearm across the length of the baby and it's back with your hand positioned under the baby’s neck and head to offer support.
- Your remaining free hand can be used to guide the nipple towards the baby or make adjustments as needed.
The cross-cradle position is a variation of the cradle position that allows for better control of the baby’s head and body, the pro explains. This position is advantageous to use for newborns or smaller babies as it can allow for better control and position of the head to help with latching, says Dr Pham.
Laid back
- Lay back in a comfortable semi-reclined position on your bed/sofa/chair. Use pillows or cushions to support your back in this position if needed.
- Place your baby on top of you: they can be on their tummy or slightly tilted to the side. Make sure you are in a position that is comfortable enough to allow you to look down at your baby and re-position as needed without having to strain your neck.
- You can wrap your arms around your baby for further support and to guide them to your nipple. If you had a cesarean delivery, you may want to lay back in bed while you position your baby at a slight 90 degree angle (right angle) from you, or off to the side, so as to not disrupt your wound.
Unlike the cradle hold, this position may be better suited newborns. "The laid back nursing position is often one of the first positions mothers attempt with newborns, particularly right after delivery. This position promotes baby-led latching as it allows for babies to use their natural latching instinct to feed," explains Dr Pham.
Alternatively, you may wish to try a variation of this hold, often called the 'L shaped laid back position'. "This position is a variation of the laid back position, although your baby is situated at a 90 degree angle to your breast, in an L shape configuration," says the expert. "There is some data to show that in mothers who delivered via cesarean delivery, the L shaped position, compared to the lying on the side position, was more comfortable and resulted in lower pain scores."
Best breastfeeding position after a c-section
As well as the 'laid back' position mentioned above, you could try:
Lying on the side
- Lie down on your side in bed or on the sofa. Place your baby on their side and position them so they are facing your breast.
- You can use pillows or cushions to support your head in this position but be sure the pillows or cushions are not blocking your baby's head or face.
- You can tuck your arm on the side that you are lying on, under the pillow/cushions, or under your head to be more comfortable.
- Use your free hand to support your baby's neck and guide them to your nipple. Ensure that their ear, shoulder, and hip are in a straight line.
Dr Pham describes this as a "very relaxed" position, making it particularly helpful for night-time feeds. "It can also be a more comfortable position if you have had a cesarean delivery as it does not put pressure on your abdomen or stitches," she adds. As the pro advises, please remember to follow safe sleep guidelines when using this position.
Best breastfeeding position for a big baby
Rugby/football hold
- Place a cushion or pillow by your side while in a sitting position. Situate your baby on the pillow or cushion on the side that you want to feed from, putting them under your arm.
- Your baby's hip should be positioned next to your side and their nose should be at the level of your nipple.
- Place your hand under your baby's head/neck to support and guide them toward your nipple, the motion should resemble a rugby or football player tucking their ball underneath their arm.
"The rugby/football hold is particularly useful for newborns as well, since it allows for better head control and support," according to Dr Pham. "This position can also be useful in mothers who have had cesarean deliveries as it avoids putting pressure on the abdomen and stitches. Mothers who have larger breasts or larger babies may also find this position more comfortable."
Best breastfeeding position for mastitis
Dangle feeding
- Lay your baby on their back with their head faced towards the ceiling.
- In a kneeling position, get down on your forearms and position your nipple directly over your baby's mouth, feed in this position and allow the breast to hang down.
"This position is fairly awkward, nor is it biomechanically efficient for the mother," according to the pro. However, Dr Pham says it may be useful for mums who are experiencing clogged milk ducks, or those suffering with mastitis, which involves inflammation or swelling of the breast tissue.
Which breastfeeding position is best for me?
So now you've got to grips with how to use various positions, you'll likely be wondering which to try first. As you may expect, there is no one 'best' position. Just as every mum and baby is unique, so too is the routine that works best for them. However, research does suggest some positions may be more advantageous than others.
Dr Pham says: "There is research that has compared the cradle position, or alternatively the cross-cradle position with the rugby/football hold. Amongst these three positions, it appears that the rugby/football hold position poses the least risk of musculoskeletal issues as it exerts less muscle tension on the trunk or abdominal muscles.
"The rugby/football position may be a better alternative for mothers who feed their babies for longer periods of time or have physical conditions that limit their ability to use their trunk/abdominal muscles."
But it's worth noting, these may not be preferable if you had a cesarean. "Following a cesarean delivery, mothers may prefer to try the laid back or side lying positions in general as these positions may put less pressure on the abdominal wound. Finding a comfortable breastfeeding position following surgery can lead to more success with breastfeeding and research does support that these two positions have similar breastfeeding outcomes such as being able to exclusively breastfeed," explains the expert.
Ultimately, then, it all comes down to you and your baby. "The best breastfeeding position(s) will be the positions that allow for your baby to easily latch and feed and are also comfortable for you, as this will be integral for your continued success when it comes to breastfeeding," confirms Dr Pham.
She adds: "This may be different for everyone as an individual's breastfeeding journey can vary depending on how experienced you are with breastfeeding, whether your delivery included a surgery that you have to accommodate for, or the size or prematurity of your baby. The size of your breasts can also affect the position that is most favourable for you. While there is research that compares different positions, ultimately the data supports the widespread education on all the breastfeeding positions in order to optimise your breastfeeding outcomes."
The expert also shared advice for mums who would like to breastfeed but might be struggling with the practice."Depending on the issues that present themselves when you breastfeed, you can find support and assistance through your community and healthcare providers. Find a support group to help you troubleshoot, recommend products that work for you or to provide the emotional support that is often overlooked when you experience milestones or hardships on this journey," suggests the pro.
"Work with a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist if you have issues with latching, struggle with proper feeding positions, or your breast milk supply. Additionally, your medical provider (whether that be your Health Visitor, GP or Paediatrician) can help you deal with common medical issues related to breastfeeding such as mastitis or a tongue tie."
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Amber O’Connor is Cosmopolitan UK’s former junior features writer, who covers everything from breaking news, women’s safety and real life features to fitness, travel, and cultural trends. She works on first-person features, reports, and long reads, plus the hottest stories of the day (if you want to know about the latest wellness craze or TikTok trends, she’s your girl). Amber has previously worked as a reporter and a lifestyle writer, with her work appearing in numerous publications, including The Mirror, Red Magazine, Evening Standard, Indy100, and Yahoo News. When she’s not working her way through her TBR list, Amber loves dancing, running, and going on adventures with her dog.
