Breastfeeding is a special time to connect with your baby, though it can take a little while to find a rhythm that feels natural for both of you. In the early days, especially during those middle of the night feedings, finding comfortable breastfeeding positions may feel tricky—but that’s completely normal. This guide is here to help you set each feeding up for success. By focusing on your comfort, aligning your baby safely, and exploring a variety of positions, you’ll discover what works best for you and your little one, making breastfeeding a more enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Get Comfortable Before You Latch Your Baby

Your comfort matters—when you feel supported, breastfeeding is easier and more enjoyable for you and your baby. Before you latch, take a moment to make sure you are comfortable first:

  • Relax and Get Comfortable: Take a few deep breaths and relax your shoulders. Your comfort is key.
  • Support Yourself: Use pillows to support your arms, back, and your baby. Bed pillows may work just as well as a special breastfeeding pillow—whatever helps you feel cozy and stable.
  • Bring Baby to the Breast: Don't fight gravity. Allow your breasts to rest naturally and bring your baby to you, rather than lifting your breast to them.
  • Shape Your Breast: Use your free hand to gently shape your breast to guide your baby for a wider, deeper, and more comfortable latch. This can be especially helpful for mothers with firmer or large breasts.
  • Encourage Latching: Gently brush your nipple against your baby’s upper lip to encourage their rooting reflex. When they open wide, bring them close and help them latch.

Tips to Hold Your Baby in Any Position

Good positioning helps your baby feed efficiently and keeps both of you comfortable. These steps are important no matter which breastfeeding positions you use. It’s normal if your instincts don’t feel automatic at first—take your time, adjust, and trust that you and your little one will learn together.

  • Alignment: Your baby’s body should be in a straight line, with their head, neck, and spine aligned. They shouldn’t have to turn their head to latch.
  • Tummy to Tummy: Roll your baby toward you so that their tummy touches yours. If you can see their belly button, they aren’t turned toward you completely. 
  • Nipple to Nose: Your baby's nose, not their mouth, should be near your nipple. This helps your baby to achieve a deep latch.
  • Chin Deep: Their chin should be tipped into your breast, similar to how you would tip your head back to drink from a glass.
  • Pulled in Close: If you need to bring your baby closer, gently press between their shoulder blades and tuck their bottom closer to your body. Avoid pushing the back of their head, as this can cause them to reflexively pull back.
  • Comfort: If you experience pain, gently break the suction by inserting your index finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth and try again. 

Classic Breastfeeding Positions

Before exploring more specialized positions, many mothers find it helpful to start with the classic holds. These different breastfeeding positions are versatile and often easier for newborns learning to latch.

  • Cradle Hold: This is the traditional position most parents are familiar with. Hold your baby’s head in the crook of your arm, with their body facing yours. Use your free hand to support or shape your breast if needed.
  • Cross-Cradle Hold: Similar to the cradle hold, but you support your baby with the arm opposite the breast you are feeding from. This gives you more control of your baby’s head and can help with positioning and latching, especially for newborns in the early days of breastfeeding.
  • Football Hold (Clutch Hold): Tuck your baby under your arm, like holding a football, with their body along your side and their feet pointing toward your back. This is a great breastfeeding position for mothers recovering from a cesarean birth, as it keeps baby away from your incision as you are healing.

Lying Down Breastfeeding Positions

There are many ways to hold your baby while breastfeeding, and the best position is the one that keeps both of you comfortable and supports effective feeding. Lying down can be especially helpful, especially in the first week or two, while you are recovering from birth and may feel tender and sore. Many babies achieve a deeper latch in this position, which can help reduce nipple soreness and damage. Lying down can also be useful in certain situations, such as tongue-tie, as it encourages the baby’s tongue to move forward and may help them latch more effectively.

Laid-Back Breastfeeding

Also called a biological nurturing or natural breastfeeding, laid-back breastfeeding helps you and your baby rely on instinctive movements and reflexes while enjoying a close, relaxing bond. This position often increases oxytocin, supports milk flow, and has been shown to reduce sore nipples by encouraging a good latch.

  • Lean back at about a 45° angle on a bed, chair, or couch.
  • Use pillows to support your head, back, and arms so you feel relaxed and comfortable.
  • Elevate your legs with a footstool or ottoman if that adds comfort.
  • Place your baby tummy-to-tummy on your body.
  • Let baby’s reflexes guide them—they will naturally find the nipple and latch deeply without needing to be held in place.
  • Give their feet support against your body, a pillow, or another surface; a gentle “froggy pose” with bent knees can help.
  • Adjust your breast if needed so baby has easier access; mothers with larger breasts may find it helpful to lift or support the breast during latching.

Side-Lying Breastfeeding

Side-lying breastfeeding allows you and your baby to feel comfortably supported and fully relaxed while feeding. Because breastfeeding hormones can make mothers sleepy, it's important to maintain a safe sleep environment at all times. The American Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and other research recognizes side-lying as the optimal safe sleep position, whether you happen to accidentally take a quick nap while feeding or choose to co-sleep regularly. 

  • Lie on your side on a firm, flat mattress; ensure there are no loose blankets, heavy comforters, or pillows near your baby.
  • Rest your head on a pillow or your arm to stay comfortable throughout the feeding. Bend your knees and place a pillow between them for extra support, if desired.
  • Position your baby facing you, with hips, stomach, and chest against your chest. Baby’s nose should be aligned with your nipple.
  • Pull your baby in close, cradling their back with your forearm, and guide them to your nipple.
  • Shape your breast, if needed, to help them achieve a deep and comfortable latch.
  • Never swaddle your baby while lying down to breastfeed.

Upright Breastfeeding Positions

With a little practice, upright breastfeeding positions can be helpful. Feeding this way can ease common challenges like gas, colic, and reflux, and it can be especially supportive if you have an oversupply of breast milk or a strong let-down. Upright positions also provide extra support for babies with low muscle tone, cleft lip or palate, or tongue-tie, helping them latch more effectively and feed more efficiency. This position may offer comfort to babies dealing with colds or ear infections. It’s also a great option for older or easily distracted babies, helping them focus and take full, satisfying feedings while keeping both of you cozy and supported.

Koala Hold

The Koala hold is an upright breastfeeding position that leaves one arm free to help position your breast to ensure a comfortable latch. Older babies often enjoy this position because they can eat while observing their surroundings.

  • Have your baby straddle your thigh, facing your stomach, with their hips touching your hip.
  • Keep your baby’s spine and head upright and aligned, with the chin slightly lifted.
  • Bring them close to you, using one arm to support them.
  • Use your opposite hand to support your breast if needed to make latching more comfortable.
  • Combining this upright position with a laid-back position can be especially helpful for younger babies or those struggling with fast milk flow.

Breastfeeding While Babywearing

Wearing your baby in a carrier can make your parenting and breastfeeding journey a little easier. Babies can feed comfortably in upright or cradle positions while remaining secure and close to you. Simply adjust the carrier and your breast to give your baby enough space to latch properly. Always follow the carrier’s instructions to ensure your baby is positioned safely. Once feeding is complete, you’ll have your hands free while keeping your baby cozy and supported.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right breastfeeding positions can take time and practice. When in doubt, return to the basics: get comfortable first, make sure your baby’s head, neck, and body are well supported and aligned, and experiment with different positions to find the ones that feel best for both of you. Remember, there’s no single “perfect” way to breastfeed—what matters most is that you and your little one are relaxed and supported. If you need extra guidance, a Lactation Consultant can provide personalized support to help you meet your breastfeeding goals.

Disclaimer: Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical advice. For personalized recommendations, please consult your healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.