8 must-try breastfeeding positions for every situation (2025)

Breastfeeding positions to try

Breastfeeding isn't easy, especially at first. Learning how to hold and support your baby in a comfortable position requires practice, coordination – and persistence.

"You and your baby are learning each other, so be patient!" says Kate Shand, an international board-certified lactation consultant. "It will take time – sometimes weeks – and even then, your baby may change their mind on what they like, so you'll need to be flexible."

Finding a nursing position that works for you and your baby is worth the effort. After all, the two of you will spend hours breastfeeding every day.

"With my firstborn I looked up breastfeeding positions and tried them all out," says BabyCenter CommunityOpens a new window member MommaChristyW. "He was eventually able to find my nipple blindfolded, and it was much easier after that!"

The cradle hold

In this classic breastfeeding position (also called the Madonna hold), you cradle your baby's head in the crook of your arm.

1. Sit in a chair with supportive armrests or on a bed with lots of pillows. Rest your feet on a raised surface.
2. Hold your baby in your lap (or on a pillow on your lap), with their head in the crook of your elbow. Extend your forearm and hand down their back to support their neck, spine, and bottom. Then, keeping your baby's head aligned with their body so they don't have to turn their head to the side, use your forearm to turn your baby toward you, so that their entire body is facing you – belly to belly.
3. Guide your baby's head to tilt back slightly so their wide-open mouth can get a good breastfeeding latch.

Best for: Full-term babies who were delivered vaginally. Some moms say this hold makes it hard to guide their newborn's mouth to their nipple. If it's difficult for you, wait to use this position until you're more comfortable with breastfeeding, usually when your baby is 4 to 6 weeks old. Moms who had a C-section may find this position puts too much pressure on their incision.

The crossover or cross-cradle hold

Also known as the cross-cradle hold, this position differs from the cradle hold in that your arms switch roles. You support your baby with the arm opposite the breast you're nursing with.

1. If you're nursing from your right breast, use your left hand to support your baby's head. Your baby's bottom can rest on your lap or a pillow, or in the crook of your arm.
2. As with the cradle hold, rotate your baby's body so they face you while their head is aligned with their body.
3. With your thumb and fingers behind their head and below their ears, guide your baby's mouth to your breast.

Best for: Newborns, small babies, and infants who have trouble latching on. That's because you can use your hand on the back of their neck to help guide them into a better position.

As the name suggests, you tuck your baby under your arm (on the side that you're nursing from) like a football or handbag. It's also called the clutch hold.

1. Position your baby at your side, under your arm, supported by a pillow. They should be lying face up, nose level with your nipple.
2. Rest your arm on the pillow and support your baby's shoulders, neck, and head with your hand and forearm.
3. With your thumb and fingers behind their head and below their ears, guide their mouth to your nipple, chin first, to establish a good latch.

Best for: Women who have had a C-section (because in the football hold your baby won't put pressure on your C-section incision). Also, if your baby is small or has trouble latching on, this hold allows you to guide their head to your nipple. It also works well for women who have large breasts or flat nipples, and for moms nursing twin babies at once.

The side-lying breastfeeding position

This popular position lets you relax, too – just be careful not to fall asleep next to your baby in an unsafe spot. If your baby falls asleep on your breast, transfer them to a safe sleep space – don't leave them unattended on an adult bed or couch. To use the side-lying position:

1. Lie on your side in bed with a pillow under your head and one between your bent knees, if you like. You can also place a pillow behind your back for added support. Keep your back and hips in a straight line.
2. With your baby facing you, draw them close, allowing their head to tilt back slightly so they can open their mouth wide.
3. If your baby needs to be higher and closer to your breast, use your top arm to cradle them, with your hand below their ears. Be sure not to put pressure on the back of their head. They shouldn't strain to reach your nipple, and you shouldn't bend down toward them.
4. To switch sides, you can hug your baby to your chest, roll over, and have them latch on the other breast.

Best for: If you need rest (what mom doesn't?), or if you're recovering from a C-section or difficult delivery and sitting up is uncomfortable.

The koala hold

Once you get this hold down, you may want to try it while your baby is strapped to you in a soft carrier for easy, hands-free breastfeeding. If this works for you and your baby, you may never go back!

1. Sit in a chair, and hold your baby securely upright, facing you with their legs straddled over your leg and their head in line with your breast.
2. Your baby's head will naturally lean back when they latch on. Be sure to support their head and always keep one arm around them – until they get old enough to hold themself up.

Best for: Babies with reflux, since nursing upright can be easier on their digestion. If you're able to master this hold with your baby in a carrier, it's an ideal position for when you're busy multitasking.

The laid-back breastfeeding position

This is a great nursing position for when you feel like having a nice, relaxing cuddle with your little one. To use it:

1. Lie back in a semi-reclined position. Make sure your head and shoulders are supported.
2. Lay your baby on your chest with their arms hugging your breast. Gravity should keep them in the ideal position and will help deepen their latch.

Best for: Babies who have trouble latching or moms with sore nipples. Because this position works against gravity, it's also good for moms with an overactive let-down reflex or an overabundant milk supply.

The post-C section breastfeeding position

This hold takes the pressure off your incision site while letting you enjoy a semi-reclined position. It may look a little funny, but since the breast is a circle, it can be approached from any side!

1. Find a comfortable spot where you can sit at a 45-degree angle and be fully supported.
2. Lay your baby over your shoulder so that their head is facing your breast, and their mouth is in line with your nipple.
3. Check to make sure you and your baby are both snug and secure before you guide them to latch on.

Best for: Nursing mothers who want to sit back and relax after a recent C-section.

The twin hold

Breastfeeding twins means that you'll make a lot of milk and need a lot of support – literally and figuratively. For this nursing position:

1. Place a large pillow across your lap to help you cradle both of your babies at once.
2. If possible, have someone nearby who can pass the babies to you once you're set up. "Trying to put them both on at the same time is hard and usually only attainable once they're older and good at latching without much help," says Shand.
3. Put one baby under one arm with their head facing your breast. You can hold them in a cradle position or football position. Use your arm and hand to support their back and head. Make sure they're close enough to the breast to get a comfortable latch.
4. Once the first baby is in position and latched and sucking, have someone hand you the other baby to position and get latched.

Best for: Nursing twins. This hold is clutch if you're the mother of multiples.

Tips for every breastfeeding position

No matter what position you use for breastfeeding your baby, it's ideal if you can nurse in a nice spot – a special corner of your home that feels cozy and quiet, for example. But even if you find yourself nursing on the go or in the middle of your busy home, you'll want to make sure you and your baby are comfortable.

Support your body

When you can, choose a comfy chair with armrests, and use pillows – lots of them – to support your back and arms. There are various nursing pillows that make it easy to position your baby right in front of your breast, but regular pillows will do the trick, too. You want to avoid hunching over your baby, which could strain your body.

Support your feet as well, to avoid bending toward your baby. A footstool, coffee table, or stack of books can work.

Whichever nursing position you use, be sure to bring your baby to your breast, rather than the other way around. In the long run this will make breastfeeding easier and feel better for both of you!

Help your baby latch

While you're breastfeeding – especially at the beginning – your breasts will be bigger and heavier. They may be so big and heavy, in fact, that you need to support the breast you're nursing from and help your baby latch on.

Here are two techniques:

• The C-hold: Use your free hand to support your breast. Place four fingers on one side of the breast and your thumb on the other side.
• The V-hold: Use your free hand to support your breast. Position your index and middle fingers so they're splayed on either side of your breast.

You may need to also flatten your breast so it fits more easily in your baby's mouth.

"Use the hand you aren't cradling your baby with to smoosh down your breast so Baby can take a deep latch onto the nipple," says Shand. "Some babies can do it on their own, others need some help getting on. Once your baby is on, you don't have to hold your breast in that position the entire time you're nursing," she explains.

Note: Keep your fingers at least 2 inches behind the nipple and areola so your baby can get a full latch.

Support your baby

Feeling comfortable and secure will help your baby nurse happily and efficiently. Use your arms and hands, plus pillows, to support your baby's head, neck, back, and hips – and keep them in a straight line.

In the beginning, skin-to-skin contact is best, using a blanket to keep your baby warm when necessary. Eventually, you can also nurse them while swaddled with their arms at their sides.

Experiment with positions

"There's no wrong way to nurse your baby," says Shand. "Your baby can nurse on their head as long as you're both comfortable and milk is being transferred!"

That said, some breastfeeding positions will probably work better than others, so experiment to find your favorites. Keep in mind that what works at one place or time may not work well in another, and you'll probably have to switch things up as your baby grows.

Vary your routine

"Feeding in more than one position can help prevent nipple soreness and clogged milk ducts, since different positions drain different areas of the breast more effectively," says the American Academy of Pediatrics.Opens a new window

Another valuable tip: Alternate which breast you nurse from first at every feeding to boost milk production.

Relax, then nurse

"This is so important," says Shand. "Get comfy and relax. I know, easier said than done, but try to get in this mindset when you nurse. It should be enjoyable for you and your baby to get those endorphins (and milk) flowing! When moms are stressed or fearful of latching pain, or just super anxious, it can interfere with their letdown. I see it a lot," Shand explains.

So take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and think peaceful, calming thoughts. And if you're having breastfeeding problems such as cracked nipples that make nursing painful, get help from a lactation consultant ASAP.

Stay hydrated

Keep a glass or bottle of water on hand to drink while you breastfeed. Sipping while you nurse is a habit that will help you stay hydrated, which will help with milk production.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsOpens a new window, nursing moms need about 16 cups of water a day. This can come from food, beverages, and drinking water.

Help your baby unlatch

Ideally, your baby will decide that they've had enough breast milk and pop off your breast when they're ready. But if you need to take your baby off your breast, gently insert your finger into the corner of their mouth, reaching between their gums to break the suction. It can be remarkably strong, and you don't want to damage your nipple as you detach!

Do your best to stay awake

Staying awake during middle-of-the-night feedings can be a major challenge, especially when you're a seriously sleep-deprived new parent. But falling asleep next to your baby in bed, in an armchair, or on a couch is dangerous. The American Academy of PediatricsOpens a new window (AAP) doesn't recommend co-sleeping with your baby under any circumstances. It's even more hazardous to fall asleep while nursing your baby on a sofa or cushioned chair, because babies can get trapped between the cushions.

If you think you could possibly fall asleep while breastfeeding, feed your baby on the bed and make sure there are no loose pillows, blankets, sheets, or other things that could obstruct your baby's breathing or cause overheating. (Make sure that any pillows you're using for breastfeeding are securely tucked under you.) If you do fall asleep, the AAP recommends moving your baby to their own safe sleeping space as soon as you wake up.

Get help if needed

For hands-on help, ask your doctor or midwife to refer you to a lactation consultant, or find one by searching the database at the International Lactation Consultant AssociationOpens a new window.