Breastfeeding Positioning – there is no single “right way”

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August 06, 2021
2 min read

Positioning is key to successful breastfeeding

The key to successful breastfeeding is positioning.

Breastfeeding a baby is seen as a natural process after birth but for many mothers it does not come naturally and may require lots of patience and learning. If a baby is positioned well at the breast they will have the best chance of achieving an optimal latch resulting in good milk transfer and a healthy milk supply.

Different positions and holds include laid-back, the cradle hold, the underarm (football) hold and lying down.

There is no single right way to position your baby at the breast, the key is:

a) for it to feel comfortable for mother and baby and

b) there to be evidence of efficient colostrum/milk transfer.

Examples of different positions you can try:

1. The Cradle Position

cradle position

2. The Cross Cradle Position

cross cradle position

3. The Side-Lying Position

side-lying position

4. Laid-back Position

laid back position

The laid back position

If you are having difficulty getting your baby to latch at the breast, the laid-back position may be perfect for you. This position allows the baby to use its natural instincts to seek and attach to the breast without feeling pressure or force. It’s also effective for slowing down the milk flow at the start of a feed if the letdowns are too fast.

Some gentle support may be required initially to assist with correct attachment but it won’t take long for the baby to work out how to latch and suck properly, and as breastfeeding gets easier you may find the other positions work just as well for you and your baby.

Jillian Eadie – LACTATION CONSULTANT & MIDWIFE

Jillian Eadie
Jillian holds the gold standard qualification of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant ( IBCLC). She has over 10 year’s experience working closely with new mothers in the Maternity Unit setting as well as providing private consultations to new mothers in the comfort of their homes. She is also a Registered Nurse/Midwife. Jillian provides private lactation consults in your home or for those living outside Melbourne’s metropolitan area, Victoria or Australia via Zoom/Facetime meetings.

If you are experiencing any concerns and would like to discuss these further please don’t hesitate to contact me. Queries here.

Learn more about the Dr Golly Philosophy here.

Shop the Dr Golly age appropriate routines here.

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