The ideal position when breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural gestures in the world, but it takes some practice. One of the most important learning experiences for mom and baby is to find out which is the ideal breastfeeding position for both of them.

There is no right or wrong way to breastfeed your little one.

According to many mothers, some positions during breastfeeding facilitate breastfeeds making them more effective than others. It is worth taking some time to find out which one is best for you and your baby.

The ideal position while breastfeeding your baby is worth finding as you will spend many hours of the day in this position! Here are some tips to make breastfeeding your little one easier.

Always look for the most comfortable position for you. To facilitate the milk ejection reflex, you should sit in a relaxed position.
Hold the baby close to the body, belly to belly, supporting him by the bent arm. If you need to, rest your arm on the pillow for extra support. Your arm may get tired from the baby's weight - so use a nursing pillow or other supportive accessories.
Keep something to drink and eat on hand while breastfeeding.
With your free hand, bring your breast close to your baby's mouth. Make sure to shape the breast so that the baby can receive the necessary amount.
Make sure you choose a position that allows for a good latch on the breast.

Here are some practical examples:

Cradle position

This is a versatile position that can be used just about anywhere. Widely used by mothers with a long experience in breastfeeding , the cradle position is difficult for beginner mothers as they cannot provide the ideal support to attach it to the nipple.

For a correct cradle position, make sure the baby's nose is in front of the nipple. The baby will need to tilt his head back to facilitate breathing and swallowing. At the same time, the mother uses her other hand (the one with which she is not holding the baby) to orient the nipple in the direction of the mouth.

The cradle position is often considered the best for babies who have already learned to latch onto the breast.

Position of the transverse hug

The position of the transverse embrace provides an important aid to those babies who are still in the learning phase of breastfeeding.

After your baby has learned to breastfeed, you can try the cradle position.

Hold your baby in the position you see in the image below. Support his head with your hand and his back with your forearm. Support it with your right arm to allow the attachment of the left breast, and vice versa. Use your other hand to orient your breasts towards the baby's mouth. You can also use this position to allow attachment to the nipple - and once the baby is finished feeding, you can gently move him to the cradle position, but without losing contact with your body.

Front position

The front position is one of the best solutions: it facilitates the attachment to the breast and allows you to maintain eye contact with your baby.

The baby is supported by your right arm while it is attached to the right breast, and vice versa. Support his head with your hand and with your forearm his back.

Keep its feet between your back and the back of the chair. Her little body should make a 90 degree angle to yours. The front position is ideal for those babies who tend to get nervous during feedings. Safe and comfortable, it makes the baby feel comfortable and close to the mother's body. The front position is also great for breastfeeding sleepy babies - all you need to do is get the baby in the correct position so that he can sit very close to you.

Side lying position

In this position you and your baby will be lying side by side; we recommend that you put a pillow under his head to help him settle at the right height at the time of the attack. This is an ideal position for experienced breastfeeding moms and may be a bit of a challenge for novice moms.

Place the baby next to you, belly to belly. Make sure the baby is lower than your breasts so that your nipple touches his nose.

Support his back with a pillow or towel. When he feels the presence of the nipple, he will try to reach it by making him move his nose away from the breast. This will help him with his breathing and swallowing and make good eye contact with his mom.

The ideal position when breastfeeding at night.

Some moms feel really comfortable in this position and their babies latch on better. If you think this position is right for you, you can also use it during the day.

Position in rugby

The rugby stance is very similar to the front stance. In this case, keep the baby at your side with the elbow bent. With your other hand, gently support his head by leaning his back against your forearm.

To increase your comfort in this position, we recommend that you sit in an armchair with low and wide armrests or place a cushion on your lap.