The best breastfeeding position is one that supports your baby, lets them attach effectively and is comfortable for you. A hold that works for someone else may feel awkward with your body, your baby’s size or a healing wound.
Try small changes rather than pushing through pain. A midwife, child and family health nurse or lactation consultant can watch a feed and help you find an easier setup.
Start with support and a clear airway
Bring your baby close, facing you, with their head and body aligned rather than their neck twisted towards the breast. Support the neck and shoulders without pressing the back of the head into the breast. Your baby needs room to tip their head back slightly when attaching.
Support your own back and arms. If you use cushions, keep them away from your baby’s face and continue to support your baby yourself. A feeding pillow is not a safe place to leave a baby resting or sleeping.
Five positions to explore
The Raising Children Network positioning video demonstrates common holds if you would like to see them before trying.
Cradle hold
Hold your baby across your front with their head supported on the forearm on the same side as the breast they are feeding from. Keep their body turned towards yours. Adjust your arm support so you are not bending over to reach them.
Cross-cradle hold
Use the opposite arm to support your baby: left arm when feeding from the right breast, and the other way around. Your free hand can support the breast if helpful. This can give you more room to help with attachment.
Underarm or football hold
Position your baby beside you, with their body tucked along your side and their feet pointing behind you. Support their neck and shoulders. Some people find this comfortable after a caesarean because it avoids pressure across the wound.
Laid-back feeding
Recline with support behind you and hold your baby against your chest. Keep their face visible and airway clear. You are supporting your baby, not relying on gravity alone. Ask for help finding a comfortable angle.
Side-lying feeding
Lie on your side with your baby facing you at breast level. Keep adult pillows and bedding away from them, and ask someone to show you how to support their position. Stay awake and responsive throughout.
Side-lying is a feeding position, not permission to sleep together. Before you sleep, move your baby onto their back in their own safe cot or bassinet. If you are drowsy, faint or affected by sedating medicine, ask another adult or hospital staff for help. Never fall asleep holding a baby on a sofa or chair.
Attachment matters as much as the hold
A baby needs a mouthful of breast, not just the nipple. Start with their nose near the nipple, allow space for a wide-open mouth and bring them close as they attach. Their chin can touch the breast while their nose stays clear.
If the attachment hurts, gently break the suction with a clean finger at the corner of their mouth and try again. Do not pull your baby straight off the nipple. If repositioning does not resolve pain, arrange help rather than repeatedly enduring it.
Look for active sucking and swallowing and a feed that becomes comfortable. Nipple damage, repeated slipping off, coughing or difficulty transferring milk should be assessed. A particular photograph or hold cannot confirm that your baby is getting enough.
Adapt the position to your circumstances
After surgery, tell the person helping you where it hurts. If your baby was premature, is unwell or has difficulties coordinating sucking and swallowing, follow the specialist feeding team’s plan rather than choosing a position solely from this article.
You can change position for comfort, but there is no need to rotate through every hold to “empty” every area of the breast. Position changes do not guarantee prevention of mastitis. A painful red or hot breast with fever or flu-like symptoms needs prompt medical advice.
Ask whoever is helping to explain before touching your breast or moving your baby. You can ask them to demonstrate, guide you verbally or stop while you get comfortable.
When a feeding problem is urgent
Seek advice the same day if your baby repeatedly cannot feed, has fewer wet nappies than expected or is becoming more jaundiced. Poor feeding with unusual sleepiness or signs of illness needs urgent medical assessment.
Call 000 for breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips or tongue, a seizure or unresponsiveness. A baby aged three months or younger with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs immediate emergency-department assessment. Do not spend time trying another feeding hold when your baby needs medical help.
For the wider picture, read our breastfeeding guide. The Australian Breastfeeding Association’s illustrated positioning guide can help you visualise these holds; in-person support can then adapt them to you.
Sources and further reading
- Australian Breastfeeding Association: attachment
- Australian Breastfeeding Association: side-lying feeds
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: mastitis
- Red Nose: safe sleep and avoiding accidental co-sleeping
- Healthdirect: fever and urgent care
General information for Australian families. Your care team can assess attachment, milk intake and any medical feeding needs.