Best position to put baby after feeding
10 tips for handling and holding a newborn | Your Pregnancy Matters
Apprehension about handling a newborn is normal. But babies are not as fragile as they look.Holding a newborn is often one of the greatest joys of new parenthood. It can also incite immense fear.
From their tiny fingers to their teetering heads, newborns look fragile, and many new parents are worried they’ll harm their baby by holding them in the wrong position. I understand their concern, but newborns are sturdier than many new parents realize.
While you must handle a newborn with care – and never shake the baby – you’re not going to hurt them during feedings or diaper changes if you use gentle, supportive movements.
Before you take your new baby home from UT Southwestern, our neonatal nurses and your doctor will demonstrate the best techniques for picking up, carrying, comforting, and laying down your newborn. You’ll get lots of practice before you’re on your own.
What’s most important is supporting the head and neck, no matter the position. From your first time holding the baby to the first few months at home, here are 10 do’s and don’ts for handling your newborn.
Related reading: 7 strange-but-normal things to expect with a newborn
After feeding, try to keep your newborn upright for about 30 minutes so gravity can help them digest their food.Safe newborn handling and holding tips
1. Hold the baby like a football
While it might sound silly at first, you’ll find that holding your baby like a football – with their back on your forearms and their head nestled in the crook of one of your arms – is among the safest and most sustainable ways to hold a newborn. Angle the baby so their stomach is turned toward yours. This position is comfortable for the baby and gives you a more secure hold of your newborn, especially while sitting down.
2. Mind the baby’s soft spots
Newborns have two soft spots on their heads: the posterior fontanel in the back and the anterior fontanel on top. The bones in these areas of the skull have not completely fused together, which make it possible for the baby’s head to squeeze through the birth canal. It also leaves room for the brain to grow.
The soft spot in the back will close within a couple months; the spot on top can take two years to fully close. Touching these soft spots is fine, just don’t press down or let anything hit or fall on your baby’s head, as no bones are fully protecting the brain early in life.
3. Keep your baby upright after feeding
Upright positioning is necessary for burping your baby after eating, and sometimes they like sleeping upright against your chest while you stand or sit.
Instead of laying your baby down flat after feeding, keep them upright for about 30 minutes so gravity can help them digest their food. Otherwise, they’re more likely to spit up.
With their stomach facing your chest, place their head near your shoulder with one arm supporting their bottom and the other hand supporting the back of their head and neck.
4. Wash your hands before touching a baby
Hand hygiene is very important when handling your baby, especially during the first two months. During this time, your baby hasn’t been vaccinated against diseases that can be spread through germs on unwashed hands.
Newborns have weak immune systems; it takes time for them to build strength against germs that likely would have no effect on you or your loved ones. So, be extra diligent about keeping your hands clean, and don’t feel bad asking visitors to do the same.
5. Keep the umbilical stump clean and dry
A little clump of tissue will stay attached to your baby’s belly button after we cut the umbilical cord during delivery. We’ll put a small clamp on it to keep it dry until you leave the hospital. It looks a little odd, but it will come off in its own time – usually within two to three weeks.
The best thing to do with the umbilical stump is to leave it alone. It can become infected if it gets dirty, so keep it clean and dry. Only clothes should cover it; don’t cover it with a bandage or the baby’s diaper. If it gets soiled, wipe it with water and soap that’s free of fragrances and dyes. If you see redness or discharge around the stump, it could be infected and require treatment right away.
Related reading: Should I have visitors in the hospital while my baby is being born?
Avoid these unsafe motions and positions
6. Don’t lift your newborn by or under their arms
Your baby’s head and neck muscles are very weak for the first few months. If you pick them up by or under their arms, you risk injuring their arms or shoulders. Worse, their head will dangle and could flop around, potentially causing a brain injury.
Instead, place one hand behind their head and neck and the other hand under their bottom. Gently scoop the baby up toward your chest.
For more stability – and to protect your back – bend your knees as you shift forward and lift with your legs.
7. Don’t bounce a fussy newborn
New parents might try to soothe their newborn by positioning the baby upright against their shoulder and bouncing up and down. Though we’ve see this move frequently in movies and TV sitcoms, it’s not a great way to calm a fussy baby.
The up-and-down motion can be jarring and make the baby fussier, which may increase your anxiety, which can stress the baby more – it’s a vicious cycle. Instead, assume the football hold and gently sway them back and forth in a rocking motion while walking or standing. The flowing movement comforts babies by mimicking their experience in the womb.
Rather than holding the baby out in front of you, have the other person come close, facing you.8. Don’t extend the baby forward to someone else
If you’ll have a lot of friends and family visiting or helping out after you give birth, you’ll quickly get used to others wanting to hold the baby.
Protecting the head and neck is the priority when passing your newborn to someone else.
Rather than holding the baby out in front of you, have the other person come close, facing you. Then, they should place one hand beneath the baby’s head and the other beneath the bottom before you release your grip.
9. Don’t sit or lie down to hold the baby if you are tired
Fatigue and parenthood go hand in hand – especially in the beginning. But if you’re sleepy and seated, the risk of dropping your baby increases. When you’re still in the hospital, alert the nursing staff that you’re becoming drowsy. We can help you put the baby in the bassinet or take the baby to the nursery while you rest.
At home, place your baby in their designated sleeping area as soon as you feel tired. Losing grip can happen in matter of seconds if you doze off, so it’s best to be cautious.
10. Don’t kiss your newborn if you have (or recently had) a cold sore
The urge to kiss your baby’s chubby cheeks and nose will be strong, but if you have a cold sore, resisting that urge might save your baby’s life.
Cold sores, also called oral herpes, are caused by the HSV-1 virus, which can cause brain damage or death in newborns – their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the virus.
An HSV-1 outbreak starts forming even before a cold sore appears. So, if you feel the familiar tingling that typically comes before a cold sore forms, or if you had a cold sore recently, refrain from kissing the baby until the outbreak has fully cleared. Firmly remind anyone else who will be handling your baby to follow the same guidelines.
Related reading: How to protect your baby from herpes infection
You’ll get better with practice
Apprehension about handling a newborn is normal. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll feel. And our neonatal team will make sure you get lots of practice before you’re on your own.
I also recommend that parents check out the book “Happiest Baby on the Block” by Harvey Karp. It has excellent advice on how to soothe a fussy baby and feel more comfortable holding a newborn.
The more relaxed you feel, the more comfortable your baby will be.
To visit with a pediatrician about holding or soothing your newborn, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.
How to hold a newborn 9 easy ways, including how to hold a baby upright
Inside: learn how to hold a newborn with lots of different positions to try. You’ll also learn how to hold a newborn upright and the best positions for burping and to calm a fussy baby.Holding a newborn baby can feel terrifying for first-time parents. They seem so fragile and precious that you don’t want to make a mistake. That is a perfectly normal feeling.
I found myself too afraid and embarrassed to ask the nurses how I should hold my newborn. Do you hold a baby upright or laying down in your arms? Would I hurt her if I made a mistake?
That’s why I wrote this post. If you are scared to hold a newborn and too embarrassed to ask like I was, this post will help you feel more confident in how to hold a newborn even if you have never held a baby before.
Table of Contents
What to do before you hold a newborn baby
Holding a newborn baby can be a peaceful, heartwarming experience. Still, if you feel unprepared or nervous, it can steal that feeling from you. But it isn’t as difficult as you think, and they are not as fragile as they seem. You can confidently learn how to hold a newborn baby without being stressed. Let me show you how.
Step 1: Wash hands & change clothes if necessary
Before you hold a newborn baby, make sure that you wash your hands and change out of any clothes that might have any kind of harmful chemical or pet hair or something that would be potentially itchy or scratchy against baby’s delicate skin.
In addition, refrain from putting on perfume, body spray, deodorant or strong aftershave if you know in advance your’re going to be holding a newborn (so if you’re learning how to hold your own newborn, stick to natural scented deodorants and nothing else. Newborns can be easily upset by strong odours and when very small, you want to minimize new and different sensations and allow them to become accustomed to the immense variety of smells they’re going to encounter outside the womb gradually.
Related post: 37 easy tips to help your newborn adjust to the world (for a calm, happy baby)
Step 2: Choose a suitable holding position
There are several ways to hold a newborn baby. If you’re feeling at all nervous, before you hold a newborn for the very first time you may want to test a few different holding positions using a doll or a small pillow. This will help you figure out which positions you’ll find comfortable and help eliminate the fear of holding a baby.
Of course, the holding position you choose will depend on whether you need to be sitting or standing and there are also positions for holding a newborn that help if baby is gassy or crying.
Step 3: Choose a comfortable position
Once you’re clean and dressed suitably, it’s time to get into a comfortable position. You don’t want to have to get up or adjust your position once you’re holding a tiny newborn for the first time.
How to hold a newborn safely
At birth and for the first few weeks a newborn won’t have the strength and control in her head and neck muscles to support her own head.
You need to offer that support all the time you are handling a newborn, from picking her up to holding her, moving around with her and putting her down again.
You may need to use your hand to support her head and neck but often the position you choose to hold baby in will offer some support, for example against your chest or in the crook of your arm.
If you do hold your newborn in a position that already offers support to the head and neck, make sure you have a hand ready to offer extra support when moving about or transferring baby from one place to the next just in case.
The other safety concern is that you’re in a stable position when holding a newborn. So when choosing a comfortable position you need to ensure there’s no chance of you falling over or losing your balance. Kinda obvious I know, but when holding a newborn for the first time, it’s easy to forget the basics!
How to pick a newborn up, before holding her
The most important thing always, whether holding a newborn or picking one up, is to make sure the head and neck are supported at all times.
So, to pick baby up from a lying down position (say from lying down on her back in the bassinet, due to the “Back to Sleep” recommendation for safe sleep):
- slide one hand under her head, which will then be lying in your palm
- slide your other hand under her bottom and back, so they’re lying along your palm and forearm
- then lift – all the time keeping baby’s head above her body
You are then effectively holding your newborn in the “transfer hold”, as you’ll see lower down.
How to hold a newborn – while sitting
Holding a newborn in the cradle hold#1 The “Cradle” hold
The cradle hold is a comfortable way to hold a newborn baby.
Your newborn will fit into the crook of your arm with her head resting between your arm and chest and her legs and feet lying over your hand. This is a traditional and very popular way of holding a newborn.
For when you’re tired, learn how to hold a newborn baby while sitting, such as in the lap hold#2 Lap hold
When you get weary of holding your newborn because you’ve been holding her all.
Day. Long. You need to know how to hold a newborn with the lap hold. It’s also a lovely way to engage and interact with your newborn. In the early days, your newborn will love just looking at your face but in no time at all, you’ll be chatting away to each – baby talk of course!
So for the lap hold, sit with your legs pressed together and on a slight incline. The easiest way to do this is to rest your feet on a coffee table so that your legs are bent.
Lay your newborn on her back with her head resting near your knees, bottom and feet against your belly. Take one hand and place it on the back of the baby’s head. If necessary, you can place your other hand on the side of their belly for support.
The cross-lap belly-hold: once baby is bigger and stronger the extra support from your arm won’t be necessary#3 Cross-lap belly-hold
It’s a bit like tummy time but on your lap, since you’ll likely find your little one trying to lift her head and look around.
Sit with your legs together and flat, or flatish.
Lie your baby on her tummy from left to right or right to left. Let her legs hang down on the one side and support her head and neck with your hand on the other side.
The cross lap belly-hold is good for fussy, gassy babies who are always more comfortable on their front.
How to hold a newborn – while standing
While it’s definitely a good idea to start by learning how to hold a newborn sitting down, there are going to be numerous occasions when you’re going to want to be standing up. With practice and confidence in sitting-down holds, holding a newborn while standing up won’t feel as daunting as it may sound now.
It then allows you the freedom to move around while holding a newborn – which you’re going to want if the newborn in question is your own.
Holding your newborn in the belly-hold, colic carry or tiger in a tree will calm and soothe a gassy baby#4 Belly-hold, also called the “colic carry” or “tiger in a tree”
Lie baby with her tummy along your forearm, with her head at the elbow end and your hand cupped under the diaper, effectively holding her crotch.
This will feel very secure for you and it’s also very comfortable for baby.
This is the best position to hold a fussy, gassy baby in, hence it’s also called the “colic carry”.
How to hold your newborn when transferring from one place to another#5 Transfer hold
Holding a newborn in the transfer hold is similar to the lap hold, but this time you’re standing up. Your baby will end up facing you, so another one that’s good for gazing at each other or a little chat. Called the “transfer” hold because you’ll find yourself using it for all those baby maneuvers – from cot to changing mat, from changing mat to tub and so on.
Support your baby’s head and neck in the palm of your hand, with the top of her back lying along your forearm on an incline. Place your other hand under her bottom.
When is it ok to hold a newborn upright?
You can hold your newborn upright from birth as long as the neck and head are well-supported. In fact, sometimes it’s preferable to hold your newborn upright rather than have her lying down.
It’s certainly not bad to sit baby upright.
Holding a newborn upright is often a good position for burping, allowing trapped wind to be passed easily. It can also help a gassy baby feel more comfortable while waiting for those air bubbles to pass, plus it can relieve any congestion.
In an upright position, baby is also able to see what’s going on around her; there will be so much for those little eyes and that growing mind to be entertained by. So, plenty of reasons, to learn how to hold a newborn upright.
How to safely hold a newborn upright
Just like when holding or handling a newborn in any other position, supporting the head and neck is the most important aspect, along with ensuring there’s no chance you’re going to drop baby.
Of course, the more vertical you hold baby, the more attention you need to pay to supporting the head and neck, so take extra care.
How to hold a newborn upright while sitting
If you want to hold a newborn upright, you can simply increase the incline of some of the other hold positions.
This is easily done for the following holds:
- the cradle hold
- lap hold
Each can simply be adapted so that you’re holding baby in a more vertical position.
But here are some alternatives that automatically put baby more upright.
Holding a newborn over the shoulder is a classic hold for burping#6 The newborn shoulder hold
Wondering how to hold a newborn over your shoulder? Then you’re talking about the newborn shoulder hold, best for burping and can be used both standing or sitting.
Simply, lie your newborn on one of your shoulders with her belly resting against your chest. Use the crook of your arm to support her bottom and offer more support to the head with your opposite hand.
The shoulder hold is a popular position for burping because it’s so effective. In this position, gentle pressure is applied to baby’s abdomen, gently squeezing air up and out.
Holding a newborn in the chair hold means they can enjoy what’s going on around them
#7 The chair hold
In this position, your body becomes the chair that your newborn sits in.
So, sitting comfortably on a chair yourself, have baby in a sitting position, back to your tummy, so she’s facing out to the world around her. When teeny tiny, you need to be a fairly well-reclined chair and/or support her head with one of your hands.
Over time you can become more upright, supporting the head and neck as if necessary.
This newborn hold position is good for burping baby in#8 The sitting on knee hold (for want of a much better description)
You sit normally, with your newborn in a sitting position, facing either to the left or right with bottom on your thigh and her legs dangling over. Have one hand cupping her chin to support her head and neck and the other hand holding her back to keep that sitting position.
Learning how to hold a newborn upright in this position is worthwhile for burping.
How to hold a newborn upright – while standing
The newborn shoulder hold works just as well standing as when sitting – see details above.
You can also try the transfer hold, but holding your newborn more vertically.
But one new position that you may find useful.
How to hold a newborn upright while you’re standing: the outward-facing crotch hold#9 The outward-facing crotch hold
This one is for the older newborn with good head and neck control as it’s difficult to offer extra support. It allows you to hold your newborn with one hand, leaving the other free to do ALL the things that get left undone for so long when you’re in that busy newborn phase.
In this position your baby is facing out and free to have a good look around. Her back is against your side with your arm from the same side, over her body reaching down. Cup your hand over her diaper so you’re supporting your newborn’s body weight from the crotch, with the legs dangling.
How to hold a newborn after feeding
It’s a good idea to hold your newborn upright after eating, especially if they are prone to a lot of spit-up or suffer from acid reflux.
If your newborn guzzles milk down and becomes very full, holding her upright helps that milk stay down.
Spit-up is very common; newborns are gassy little things by nature and it’s normal for bubbles of air get trapped in the stomach during a feed.
(If you’re baby is particularly gassy this post will be worth a read: Got a gassy baby? 16 Common causes & remedies to fix them for good)
By holding your baby upright you’re giving those air bubbles chance to escape, through burping, with as little spit-up as possible. Let’s face it, whether you’re feeding by breast or bottle, it’s hard work – you want that milk to stay where it belongs (and not create extra laundry!).
Since holding your newborn upright after feeding is such an effective way to burp your baby (you absolutely MUST burp baby after eating, as well as at some point during), it is often recommended.
Do I have to hold my newborn upright after feeding?
It’s not essential to hold a newborn upright after eating, only recommended.
All newborns are different; some may be able to lie down shortly after a feed, no problem at all but for most this will likely cause discomfort. Any trapped wind will stay trapped and be pushed down into the lower gut causing pain and more discomfort.
How long should you hold a baby upright after feeding?
Again, all babies are different. As a rule of thumb, aim to hold a newborn upright for 15 minutes after eating. During this time you want to get a good few burps out.
According to Philippa Murphy, who’s done a wealth of research into the digestive biology of infants and is the founder of BabyCues you want to aim for the following number of burps during/after a feed (i.e, these numbers include the burp break mid-feed):
- 0 to 2 weeks: minimum of 10 burps
- 2 to 6 weeks: minimum of 10 burps but aim for 20
- 6 to 12 weeks: minimum of 15 burps but aim for 25
You may want to hold your newborn upright for longer if your baby is particularly gassy, spits up a lot or suffers from acid reflux.
Or your newborn may find some of the other positions more comfortable. It’s just trial and error.
The best positions to hold a newborn in for burping
Any upright position will help a newborn burp, but some are better than others. What you’re looking for is a position that places gentle pressure on the lower abdomen, which helps squeeze air bubbles up and out.
These upright newborn hold positions work well:
Holding a newborn with the shoulder hold is a classic for burpingThe newborn shoulder hold
If you get the angle just right, your shoulder applies that gentle squeeze on baby’s abdomen. In addition, you can help the process along by gently rubbing baby’s back in smooth circular movements. Rub, rather than pat.
This newborn hold position is good for burping baby inThe sitting on knee hold
My babies always burped will in this position. To recap this hold, which is described above:
- sit in a chair, with your newborn in a sitting position, facing either to the left or right
- her bottom will be on your thigh with legs dangling over
- have one hand cupping her chin to support her head and neck and the other hand holding her back to keep that sitting position
So the hand on the back can rub gently to help those burps out.
The hand can lift the chin up a little to keep ensure there’s plenty of room through the throat to allow air bubbles to pass.
You can then gently pivot baby in circular motions which puts that gentle pressure on the abdomen, encouraging those burps.
Much better demonstrated by a video:
How to hold a newborn to calm and soothe
There are soooo many things that can upset a newborn – overtiredness and overstimulation are often the culprit and a gassy baby will also need calming and soothing. So you need to know how to hold a newborn to stop crying. Learning which positions are particularly comfortable and soothing will pay dividends.
In general, front-lying positions are more comfortable as they reduce the painful pressure that air bubbles create, if this is the cause of discomfort.
Due to the abdominal pressure that these holds create, they’re also good at squeezing any remaining trapped wind out.
Even if gas pain isn’t the issue, front-lying positions tend to be closer to how your baby was lying the womb – and anything you do that mimics the environment of the womb will help your newborn stop crying.
Swaddling is an incredibly effective way to replicate the cacooning effect of the womb and can calm and soothe in an instant. Not only that, a good swaddling technique can help your newborn stay asleep for longer. Not sure how to swaddle? Baby hates the swaddle? Baby keeps breaking out of the swaddle? Try this free swaddle guide:
So, if you want to know how to hold a newborn to calm and soothe her, these are the ones to try:
Belly hold, also called the “colic carry” or “tiger in a tree”
This hold is often called the “colic carry” because it’s so good at calming a baby suffering from colic.
(If you think you’re baby has colic and are at your witts end, fear not.
there’s normally always something you can do to improve, reduce or even eliminate colic. Check this post out: Colic: what is it; is crying really inconsolable? Plus causes & remedies – yes, there ARE some)
In addition to the front-lying position that a gassy, colicky baby will find comfortable, the colic carry allows you to move around a little; baby will also find the movement calming and soothing.
Cross-lap belly hold
Similar to the above, baby is front-lying with pressure on the abdomen helping any last air bubble to be squeezed out, but allows you to take a break!
Can newborns be propped up?
According to the AAP, babies should not be propped up or sleep on an incline, but while awake and supervised, using baby equipment and baby carriers is another way to keep your baby upright.
Babies should always be placed on a firm, flat surface on their backs to sleep. Unfortunately, this is quite an unnatural position for a newborn to sleep in and if your baby suffers from acid reflux or is particularly gassy, you’re likely to find sleep a struggle.
Unfortunately, propping your newborn up is not an option. But there are other options, many of which were a lifesaver with my reflux baby.
Check out: The scoop on REFLUX REMEDIES: natural remedies, over-the-counter ones; prescribed medications
Instead of propping your newborn up, there are a number of gadgets to safely hold her upright or a small incline, but still leave you hands-free… coming up next.
Ways to safely hold your newborn upright – hands-free
BY BABYWEARING
When still small and unable to support her head and neck, babywearing is a great way to hold your baby upright. Not only is this good to allow those last burps to escape post-eating, newborns just love the skin-to-skin contact, often called “kangaroo care”. Being close to you and your familiar smell, warm and tightly held against you is not dissimilar to many of the sensations your baby would have experienced in the womb.
Swaddling is an effective soother and settler for sleep for similar reasons – get your hands on our free swaddle course right here.
WITH A BABY BOUNCER
Try a baby bouncer designed for tiny babies as well as bigger ones – it should say from what age it’s suitable. Most don’t provide nearly enough support for the head and neck and are really only suitable from 8 weeks. If used to early, you’ll find your newborn slumps in it; not good for her head and neck.
Having had this issue first time around with my son, I came across this far superior baby bouncer from Tiny Love, which is very sturdy and supporting, and grows with your newborn. When teeny tiny, the incline is only slight but as her head and neck get stronger you can position baby a little more upright.
IN AN INFANT SEAT
When a little older (around 12 weeks plus), an infant seat, such as a Bumbo is a worthy investment. It has a very supportive upright seat, so great when baby wants to sit but can’t quite do it unaided, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves – if you want to hold a newborn upright unaided, this won’t yet be suitable.
How long should you hold a newborn baby?
It’s thankfully an outdated concept that holding a baby too much will make their body sore or “spoil” them. You can’t. So there’s just no such thing as holding a baby too much.
If your baby is fussing, you can cradle and cuddle and hold them to calm and soothe them. Your baby needs you, and your arms are a safe and comfortable place in a new and scary world.
Holding your newborn will help her form a solid attachment to you, in fact, it’s a wonderful chance to bond for the both of you.
Is there a wrong way to hold a newborn?
Honestly, as long as baby’s head and neck are supported, you can’t really hold a baby wrong. There is no perfect or right way to hold your baby; the above newborn hold positions are just some of the more common ones and ones which I personally found useful.
Your baby may let you know when they do not like a particular holding position by fussing and squirming, but as long as their body weight, head and neck are supported you are holding your baby just fine.
Similarly, there may be certain hold positions that you just gravitate towards due to comfort and practicality. Try them all and see what’s the best fit for the both of you.
Holding a newborn might feel like a challenge but there’s really only one box to tick
Yup, it’s to ensure baby’s head and neck are well supported. Other than that you need to be in a comfortable and secure position.
You don’t have to be afraid of holding a newborn. Hopefully, this post will give you the confidence to try it along with plenty of different hold positions to try. Good luck!
Various breastfeeding positions
Try different breastfeeding positions to find the one that works best for you and your baby. You can see the options in our selection of photos
Share this information
There is no right or wrong way to hold the baby while
feeding, and mom and baby are sure to find their favorite position.
It is important that both you and your child feel comfortable. 1.2 It's good to learn a few different breastfeeding positions and techniques because life's circumstances often require us to be flexible, especially as your baby gets older and you start to leave the house more often.
Whatever position you choose to breastfeed your baby, remember a few simple rules.
- Prepare everything you need before feeding, including drinks, food, mobile phone, TV remote control, book or magazine. And do not forget to go to the toilet - the feeding process can take a long time!
- Make sure your baby is comfortable. Whichever position you choose, it's important to keep your baby strong, level, and provide good support for their head, neck, and spine.
- You should also be comfortable. Don't stress. If necessary, use pillows of different sizes or rolls of towels to support your back or arms.
- Make sure your baby is latching on correctly.
Proper grip is the key to comfort when breastfeeding. - If your baby does not latch on well or you experience pain while feeding, contact a lactation consultant for help. The specialist will also be able to show you how to hold your baby more comfortably.
1. Relaxed feeding or reclining position
The relaxed feeding position, also known as biological feeding, 1 is often the first position for most mothers. If, immediately after birth, the baby is placed on the mother’s chest or stomach, normally, he instinctively reaches for the breast and tries to grab the nipple. This phenomenon is known as the breast seeking reflex. Skin-to-skin contact stimulates the infant's feeding instinct, and gravity helps him to latch onto the breast and maintain balance.
But it's not just newborns that can be fed in the reclining position - this position is great for babies of all ages. It can be especially helpful if your baby does not latch well in other positions or does not like to be touched during feeding, and also if you have too much milk flow or too large breasts.
Isabelle, a mother from the UK, shares her experience: “I had large breasts, and the baby was born small - 2.7 kg, so it was not easy to find a comfortable position at first. After a few weeks, it became clear that there was no “correct” posture for me. As a result, I most often fed lying down, putting the baby on my chest. ”
It is more convenient to feed not lying flat on your back, but half-sitting, leaning on pillows. So you will have a back support and you will be able to watch the baby during feeding.
2. Cradle position
This is the classic
first thought of breastfeeding. Mom sits straight
, and the baby lies on her side on her arm, pressing his stomach against her stomach. 3 Although this is a very popular position, it is not always easy to master with newborns because it gives the baby less support. Try putting a pillow under your back, and put a special breastfeeding pillow on your knees and lean on it with your hands. So you can more reliably support the child, without overstraining your back and shoulders.
Just make sure that the baby does not lie too high on the pillow for feeding. The breast should remain at a natural level so that the baby can grab it without effort, otherwise sore nipples cannot be avoided.
“I breastfed in the cradle position because it suited me perfectly! It was comfortable and I loved just sitting and looking at my little one,” recalls Rachel, a mother of two from Italy.
3. Cross Cradle
This breastfeeding position looks almost the same as Cradle, but the baby is on the other arm. 3 This gives your baby support around the neck and shoulders so he can tilt his head to latch on. This position is great for breastfeeding newborns and small babies, as well as for babies who do not latch well. Since the baby lies completely on the other hand, it becomes easier to control his position and you can adjust the chest with your free hand.
Julie, a UK mother of two, finds this position very practical: “I usually breastfeed my youngest in the cross cradle position.
So I have a free second hand, and I can take care of an older baby at the same time. ”
Do not hold the baby's head at first, otherwise you may inadvertently press his chin against his chest. Because of this, the child will not be able to take the breast deeply, because the nipple will rest against the base of the tongue, and not against the palate, which will lead to inflammation of the nipples. As the child grows, this position becomes more comfortable, and he can rest his head on your palm (as shown in the photo above).
4. Underarm breastfeeding
In this position, also known as the “ball grip”, the mother sits with the baby lying along her arm at the side, legs towards the back of the chair (or any other seat). 3 Another comfortable position for newborn breastfeeding, you can give your baby good support, full control of his position and a good view of his face. And the baby feels safe in close contact with the mother's body. This position is especially good for those who have had a caesarean section or a premature birth, as well as mothers of twins and women with large breasts.
“When I breastfed my first daughter, I had very large K-sized breasts—twice the size of her head,” recalls Amy, an Australian mother of two. - I put rolls of towels under each breast, because they were very heavy, and fed my daughter in a pose from under the arm, but only sitting straighter so as not to crush her. This position was also convenient because I had a caesarean section and could not put the baby on my stomach.”
5. Side-lying position
The side-lying position is ideal for a relaxed
nighttime feeding in bed or on the couch. If you had a
caesarean section or ruptures during childbirth, this position may be more comfortable than sitting down. 3 In this position, mother and baby lie side by side, tummy to tummy.
“It was difficult for me to sit during endless night feedings, firstly because of the caesarean section, and secondly because of lack of sleep,” recalls Francesca, a mother from the UK. “And then I discovered that you can feed your baby lying on your side and rest at the same time.
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“Because of the short tongue frenulum, Maisie could only properly latch on to her breasts while lying on her side. The lactation consultant showed me how it's done. In this position, the flow of milk was optimal for my daughter, and it was easier for her to keep the nipple in her mouth. As she got older, she became much better at grabbing her breasts in normal positions,” says Sarah, mother of two from Australia.
6. Relaxed breastfeeding after caesarean section
If you can't find a comfortable position for breastfeeding after caesarean section, 3 try holding the baby on your shoulder in a reclining position – this does not stress the postoperative suture and allows you to breastfeed your baby comfortably. You can also try side feeding.
7. Sitting upright breastfeeding or “koala pose”
When breastfeeding in an upright position or “koala pose”, the baby sits with a straight back and a raised head on the mother's hip. 4 This position can be tried even with a newborn if it is well supported, but it is especially convenient for feeding a grown child who can already sit up by himself.
The upright sitting position, or “koala pose,” is great for toddlers who suffer from reflux or ear infections and feel better sitting. In addition, this pose may be suitable for children with a shortened frenulum of the tongue or reduced muscle tone.
“When my daughter got a little older, I would often feed her in an upright position, which was more comfortable for both of us, and I could still hold her close,” recalls Peggy, a mother from Switzerland. “Besides, it was possible to discreetly breastfeed her in public places.”
8. Overhanging position
In this position, the baby lies on his back, and the mother bends over him
on all fours so that the nipple falls directly into his mouth. 4 Some moms say this breastfeeding position is good to use occasionally for mastitis, when touching the breasts is especially unpleasant. Some say that this breastfeeding position helps with blockage of the milk ducts, although there is no scientific evidence for this yet.
You can also feed in the “overhanging” position while sitting, kneeling over the baby on a bed or sofa, as well as reclining on your stomach with support on your elbows. Pillows of various sizes that you can lean on will help you avoid back and shoulder strain.
“I have breastfed several times in the 'overhang' position for clogged milk ducts when no other means of dissolving the blockage worked. And this pose seems to have helped. I think it's because of gravity, and also because the breasts were at a completely different angle than with normal feeding, and my daughter sucked her differently, ”says Ellie, a mother of two from the UK.
Feeding in the "overhanging" position is unlikely to be practiced regularly, but in some cases this position may be useful.
“I used to breastfeed in the overhang position when my baby was having trouble latch-on,” says Lorna, mother of two in the UK. - This, of course, is not the most convenient way, but then I was ready for anything, if only he could capture the chest.
We succeeded and have been breastfeeding for eight months now!”
9. Breastfeeding in a sling or in a sling
Breastfeeding in a sling takes some practice, but it can be used to go out, look after older children, or even do a little household chores.
The sling is also useful if the baby does not like to lie down or is often attached to the breast. Lindsey, a mother of two in the US, notes: “I used the carrier frequently for both of my children. When we were out, I tied the sarong around my neck and covered the carrier with it. Under such a cape, the baby can eat as much as he wants until he falls asleep.
This breastfeeding position is best when the baby is already good at breastfeeding and can hold his head up by himself. Any slings are suitable for breastfeeding, including elastic and rings, as well as carrying bags. Whatever option you choose, the main thing is that you can always see the face of the child, and his chin does not rest against his chest.
10. Double hand-held breastfeeding
Double hand-held breastfeeding (or “double-ball grab”) is great for mothers of twins—you can breastfeed both at the same time and keep your arms relatively free. 4 When feeding in this position, it is advisable to use a special pillow for breastfeeding twins, especially at first. It will provide extra support and help keep both babies in the correct position, as well as reduce the burden on the abdomen if you had a caesarean section. In addition, the hands are freer, and if necessary, you can deal with one child without interfering with the second.
“My twins were born very tiny and had to be fed every two hours at any time of the day or night. Very soon it became clear: if I want to do anything besides feeding, I need to feed them both at the same time, - says Emma, mother of two children from the UK. “I breastfed them two by hand using a breastfeeding pillow.”
Other good positions for breastfeeding twins are two criss-cross cradles, one baby in the cradle and the other close at hand, reclining feeding, or sitting upright (one baby on one side, the other on the other).
11. Breastfeeding in the "hand-supported" or "dancer's hand" position
muscle tone (which is typical for premature babies, children suffering from various diseases or Down syndrome), try supporting his head and your chest at the same time. 4 Grasp your chest with your palm underneath so that your thumb is on one side and all the others are on the other. Move your hand slightly forward so that your thumb and forefinger form a "U" just in front of your chest. With the other three fingers, continue to support the chest. With your thumb and forefinger, hold the baby's head while feeding so that his chin rests on the part of the palm between them, your thumb gently holds the baby on one cheek, and your index finger on the other. So the baby gets excellent support, and you can control his position and see if he is holding his breast.
Literature
1 Colson SD et al. Optimal positions for the release of primitive neonatal reflexes stimulating breastfeeding.
Early Hum Dev . 2008;84(7):441-449. - Colson S.D. et al., "Optimal Positions for Provoking Primitive Innate Reflexes to Induce Breastfeeding." Early Hume Dev. 2008;84(7):441-449.
2 UNICEF UK BFHI [ Internet ]. Off to the best start ; 2015 [ cited 2018 Feb ]. - UNICEF UK, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, Start the Best You Can [Internet]. 2015 [cited February 2018].
3 Cadwell K. Latching - On and Suckling of the Healthy Term Neonate: Breastfeeding Assessment. J Midwifery & Women's Health. 2007;52(6):638-642. — Cadwell, K., "Latching and sucking in healthy newborns: evaluation of breastfeeding." F Midwifery Women Health. 2007;52(6):638-642.
4 Wambach K, Riordan J, editors.
Breastfeeding and human lactation. Jones & Bartlett Learning ; 2014. 966 p . - Wambach K., Riordan J., "Breastfeeding and female lactation". Burlington, MA: Publishing House Jones & Bartlett Learning ; 2014. Pp. 966.
Positions for breastfeeding | Medela
For most mothers, breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be learned. Therefore, mothers may need extra help in teaching breastfeeding skills. In particular, they may need guidance on how to position the baby and how to attach it to the breast in a way that is comfortable for both mother and baby. There are many breastfeeding positions that can suit every breastfeeding mother. It is very important that the mother always feels comfortable while breastfeeding. As a rule, the baby should be positioned so that his face is turned towards the mother's body, and the head, shoulders and hips are in line.
The most commonly used postures are cradle, cross cradle, grip, and side lying.
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Cradle position
Cradle position is the most common position for feeding a baby.
The mother's hand supports the baby at the breast. The baby's head lies next to the mother's elbow, while her arm supports the baby along the back and neck. The baby's chest should be turned to the mother's chest.
Cross cradle position
In the cross cradle position, the mother takes the child with her other hand (relative to the cradle position), supporting his head and neck. With the other hand, she can support the breast and, if necessary, squeeze it, so that it is more convenient for the child to grab the nipple.
In this position, the mother can easily guide the baby to the breast when he is ready to take her.
“Capture” position
The baby is located on the side of the mother, his body and legs are at her fingertips.
The mother holds the baby's head in her hand. In this position, you can also put your hand on a pillow.
This position may be optimal for mothers who have had a caesarean section because there is little or no pressure on the chest and abdomen in this position.
This position can also be beneficial for babies who are born low birth weight or who have problems latching on as the baby's head is fully supported in this position.
Side-lying position
Mother lies on her side facing the baby. The baby's mouth is on the same level as the nipple.
Mom can also use a pillow to support her back and neck.
This position may also be optimal for mothers who have had a caesarean section, as there is little or no pressure on the chest and abdomen in this position.
Literature
American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Breastfeeding Handbook for Physicians 2006).
