Good breastfeding positions

Breastfeeding is natural, but it does not always come naturally to mom. It is normal to feel a little overwhelmed and many moms feel uncomfortable the first few times they try to breastfeed their babies.

Finding the perfect breastfeeding position for you and baby is very important. Here are some positions that would help make breastfeeding a success:

Side-lying position

Cradle hold positin

Football hold position

Cross cradle hold position

Saddle hold position

1. 
   Side-Lying Position.

The Side- lying breastfeeding position is the easiest position for many moms. Breastfeeding lying down is nice for moms that sleep with their babies. It allows you get more rest especially in the early weeks.

Procedure:

• Lie on your side and support your head and your back with pillows.
• Lie baby next to you so that your tummies are touching, his mouth in line with your nipple. If your baby is still very young you can place something behind his back or your arm under him to prevent him from rolling backwards.
• Your baby will be sucking from the breast that is against the mattress.

Offer your breast to Baby by supporting it with your fingers underneath and your thumb above, well behind the areola.

• After your baby has securely latched on, you can use your lower arm to support your own head
• When you wish to give baby your other side you only need to cuddle him over your chest, and gently roll yourselves over.
• This position is great for moms who have has a c-section delivery

• 2. The Cradle Hold position 
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• holding your baby across your lap, supporting him with the same arm as your breast

• The cradle hold is one of the most frequently seen breastfeeding positions for babies. It is great because it allows mom to hold the baby closely and support their little bodies, particularly when they are newborns and not quite able to hold themselves up in any way.

Nursing pillows are used for support. Another way a mom can cradle hold a newborn while breastfeeding is with a sling or pouch, which is called the sling cradle hold. Holding baby in a sling is more convenient and most of the times much more comfortable.

3. Cross cradle hold position

The cross-cradle position is similar to cradle hold but you are holding the baby with the opposite arm. It is also known as the crossover or transition hold. This position allows you complete control during breastfeeding. This position is used for the newborn and only until baby has learned to latch on correctly. It gives you a good view of Baby's latch-on and may be a good choice at first for a premature baby or a baby who is having trouble latching, small babies, mothers with inverted nipples and those with large breasts.

Procedure:

- Use a breastfeeding pillow for support.

• Support your baby's head by resting his neck on the palm of your hand, with your thumb and fingers at the base of his head.
• Baby should be held tummy to tummy
• By using the "U" hold, your elbow is at your side. Support your breast with the hand on the same side as the breast you are offering.

- If baby’s bottom lip is curled in, it sometimes helps to try to pull it out, for a better latch.

- If your baby is sucking well with the cross breastfeeding hold, and your arm becomes tired you can transition into the normal cradle hold.

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