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Positions

There are many positions you can use to breastfeed your baby. Choose positions that feel most comfortable for you. Your baby should be in a position that allows for a deep latch and easy swallowing.

Here are some general tips for positioning you and your baby:

Have your back well supported.
Make sure you are in a comfortable position.
Hold baby close to your skin (remove clothing that gets in the way).
Baby’s ear, shoulder and hip should be in a straight line.
Help your baby get into a position so their nose is at the level of your nipple.
Your baby’s head should be tilted back slightly.
Bring baby to your breast when their mouth is wide open.
Tuck your baby’s body in close to your body.
Do not force your baby onto the breast. If fussy, calm your baby by holding them upright and then try again.

	Side-Lying Positions – works well if you have had a caesarean birth, when you’re uncomfortable sitting, you have large breasts, or you are tired. A person lying on their left side with knees bent and left hand under head. A baby is laying on their right side facing the left uncovered breast. The person is supporting the breast with their right hand and guiding it towards the baby’s mouth.
	Football Position – works well if you have had a caesarean birth, you have large breasts, or a small baby. A person is sitting upright with a pillow on their lap and holding a baby on its side on top of a pillow. The baby is facing the left uncovered breast with their head and neck supported with the left hand of the person and the spine supported along left forearm. Legs are tucked along the right side with feet facing the back of the chair. Babies arms are on either side of the breast.
	Cross-Cradle Position – works well when first learning to breastfeed or if you have a small baby. A person is sitting upright and is holding a baby. The baby is facing the left uncovered breast with head and neck supported with the right hand and the spine supported along the right forearm. The person is supporting their breast with their left hand.
	Cradle Position – works well once you’re comfortable with breastfeeding. A person sitting upright with a pillow on their lap holding a baby. The baby is laying on its left side facing the right uncovered breast. Baby is supported along right forearm, with baby’s head supported on the bend of right elbow. Babies arms are on either side of the breast.
	Upright or Straddle Position – works well if you have an older baby or a baby who has reflux. A person is sitting upright. A baby is being held upright and sitting on the thigh of person with a leg on each side of thigh. Head, neck and spine of the baby is supported by the person’s right hand and forearm facing the right uncovered breast. The person is holding up their t-shirt with her left hand to uncover the breast.
	Back-Lying (Laid Back) Position – works well for your baby to find the nipple on their own with some help. Hold your baby skin-to-skin so that their tummy rests on you with their head near your breast. Support their back and bottom with your arms and hands while they move towards your breast. Be patient and help your baby as much as you like. Your baby will find your nipple.

Breastfeeding Twins - It is possible to make enough breastmilk to feed twins. In the beginning, some parents may breastfeed one baby at a time. It may take practice to learn how to breastfeed two babies at the same time.

	Front Cross: a person is sitting upright with a pillow on their lap, with both breasts uncovered, holding two babies. One baby is being held on the left side being supported along the left forearm, facing the left breast with the baby’s feet toward the middle of the person. The other baby is being held on the right side along right forearm facing the right breast with the baby’s feet toward the middle of the person. The person is holding their hands together.
	Football Cradle: a person is sitting upright with a pillow on their lap, with both breasts uncovered, holding two babies. One baby is being held in the right arm with head, neck and spine supported with the right hand and forearm and facing the right breast. Baby’s feet are towards the middle of the person. The other baby is facing the left breast with head, neck and spine supported with their left hand and forearm. The baby’s is laying on the left side, under the person’s left arm, with feet facing back of chair.
	Double Football: a person is sitting upright with pillow on their lap, with both breasts uncovered, holding two babies. One baby is facing the right breast with head, neck and spine supported with right hand and forearm. The baby’s is laying on the right side, under the person’s right arm, with feet facing back of chair. The second baby is facing the left breast with head, neck and spine supported with left hand and left forearm The baby is laying on the left side, under the person’s left arm, with feet facing back of chair.
	Upright Latch: a person is sitting upright with a pillow on their lap holding two babies on top of the pillow. Each baby is facing an uncovered breast, and being held with spine and head upright supported by the person’s forearms.