Finding a comfortable breastfeeding position can take a little experimenting. Your baby is learning how to latch, and you’re learning how to support their small body while keeping your own shoulders, arms, and back relaxed. There isn’t one correct hold for every family or every feed. Try a few options, make small adjustments, and notice what helps your baby feed effectively and keeps you comfortable. A lactation professional can also help you practise and tailor a position to your needs.
Start with a comfortable setup
Before bringing your baby to your breast, settle into a supported position. Sit somewhere comfortable, place a pillow under your arm or baby if helpful, and keep water within reach. Relax your shoulders and rest your feet if they don’t reach the floor. Bring your baby toward you rather than leaning forward; staying upright can reduce strain during a feed.
Hold your baby close, with their ear, shoulder, and hip roughly in a line. Their chest should face your body, and their nose should be near your nipple. Support their neck and shoulders without pressing the back of their head. This gives them room to tip their head back slightly and open wide to latch.
Try a few common holds
In the cradle hold, rest your baby along the forearm on the same side as the breast they’re feeding from. Their head sits near your elbow, with your arm supporting their back and bottom. The cross-cradle hold uses the opposite arm to support your baby’s neck and shoulders, leaving your other hand free to guide the breast. Many parents find cross-cradle useful while learning to latch a newborn.
The football hold tucks your baby beside you, with their legs pointing behind your body and their head supported near your breast. A pillow under your arm can help lift them to a comfortable height. Side-lying can let you rest while feeding: lie on your side facing your baby, keeping their body close and aligned. Ask a health professional to show you how to use this position safely, including how to return your baby to a separate, safe sleep space after the feed.
Check comfort and latch
A well-positioned baby can open wide, take in a good mouthful of breast, and feed with steady sucking and swallowing. Their chin should rest against your breast, with their nose clear or only lightly touching. You may feel pulling or stretching at first, but ongoing sharp pain, pinching, or nipple damage means it’s worth pausing and checking the latch and position.
If feeding hurts, gently break the suction with a clean finger at the corner of your baby’s mouth, then try again. Bring your baby in close when their mouth opens wide, aiming their chin toward the breast first. Adjust pillows or your arm support if you feel tense. Seek prompt advice if your baby is difficult to wake for feeds, seems unable to latch, or you’re concerned about feeding or wet diapers.
Get help finding your fit
The best position may change as your baby grows, your breasts feel fuller, or you recover from birth. A caesarean birth, tender areas, twins, or a strong let-down can also affect which hold feels manageable. You can use one position for a whole feed or switch sides and holds when needed. Comfort and effective feeding matter more than getting a position to look a particular way.
A lactation professional can watch a feed, help you adjust your baby’s alignment, and suggest options based on your body and your baby’s needs. Bring questions about pain, latch, or feeding patterns, and mention any positions you have already tried. Canberra Milk & Bloom offers lactation support in Canberra; contact the practice to discuss what help is available and arrange a suitable appointment.
Try one adjustment at a time, and give yourself permission to change holds when something feels uncomfortable. A position that supports your baby’s latch and lets your body relax is a good place to start. If feeding remains painful or you’re unsure how your baby is doing, reach out to a lactation professional for individualized support.