The right breastfeeding position

Breastfeeding is actually the most natural thing in the world. At the same time, finding the right position takes practice because new mothers need to first learn how to hold their baby comfortably and support it while sucking, something that requires coordination and patience. Read more about some of the well-known positions.

It is important to find the right position so that the baby can suck well and the mother's nipples don't get sore. We therefore recommend that you take time, especially at the beginning, in order to try out the various positions and find the most suitable one.

 

The cradle hold

The baby lies in your lap, with its head in the crook of your arm. Ideally you should sit in a chair with armrests or on a couch with many cushions so that you can support your lower arms. Be sure not to lean forward towards the baby while feeding but to bring it up to the breast instead. This will prevent you from getting a backache.
Suitable for mothers who gave birth naturally. Those who gave birth by C-section, however, may find that the cradle position puts too much of the baby's weight on the abdominal region, thus causing pain.

 

The cross-cradle hold

In this position, the baby's head is not in the crook of the elbow, as in the case of the cradle hold, but held in the hand, with the body resting on the lower arm. When feeding from the right side, hold the baby with the left hand and arm. When feeding from the left side, reverse the position.
Suitable for mothers who have trouble getting the baby to start sucking, because this position makes it easier bring the baby's head closer to the breast.

 

The football hold

As the name suggests, the baby is tucked under the arm like a football. Hold the baby under the arm on the side of the breast you happen to be using by placing its head in your hand and supporting it with your lower arm.
Suitable for mothers with large breasts, who have twins, or who gave birth by C-section.

 

The lying position

Here you and the baby lie on the side. You can support the baby's back with your arm to help maintain the right position.
Suitable for mothers who had a C-section or a difficult birth.


18.05.2015
If you have any questions about feeding and caring for your baby, SWICA customers can contact the santé24 telemedicine service free of charge on +41 44 404 86 86. A telemedicine practice licence allows santé24 physicians to provide additional medical services in cases that are suited to a telemedicine approach. SWICA customers can also use the BENECURA medical app to carry out a digital SymptomCheck and receive recommendations about what to do next. During a subsequent phone call with santé24, customers can decide for themselves whether to release their information from SymptomCheck to santé24.