Breastfeeding is beneficial for both the child and the mother. It is superior nutrition to your child that provides resistance to infections and illnesses. Breastfeeding also decreases the risk of lactose intolerance and allergies.
Although breastfeeding is a natural activity, a new mother needs to learn about it. The purpose is to adapt to the best position and enable the child to reap all its benefits. The right breastfeeding position allows your infant to latch on to the breast comfortably without straining your muscles.
Inappropriate breastfeeding can lead to risks of nipple inflammation, injuries, and pain. A new mother must learn about the most effective ways to breastfeed to gain confidence. You can also change the position as your baby grows. There are different ways to breastfeed your baby, and each position has its own benefits.
In today’s article, we will talk about the most effective ways to breastfeed. Make sure you understand each position to streamline the process and make it more effective for you and your baby. Read on!
Cradle Hold
The cradle hold is a traditional position to breastfeed your baby. It requires your little one to feed with his stomach against your body. It is a very common position that allows the mother to hold the baby comfortably.
Hold your infant with his or her stomach against your body. Use your arm to support your baby’s head, so he or she can latch on to the breast easily. Align your baby’s head with his body to avoid neck straining.
You can use a nursing pillow to support your elbow and hold the baby comfortably. Many women find it challenging to master this position with a newborn. Likewise, it is not easy to hold your baby in this position when he or she grows.
Cross-Cradle Hold
Research highlights that the cross-cradle breastfeeding position is the best way to latch for infants. Although the position shares similarities with the cradle hold, it requires the mother to support her baby with her arm opposite the breast.
Many women find this position easy. Hold your baby flush against your belly and ensure his neck and back are aligned. Support your baby’s head with your hand by reaching across his or her back. It allows your baby’s bottom to rest in your arm.
Moreover, it is not an easy position to master for new mothers, but it enables them to gain more control over their baby’s latch. If your baby has difficulty getting a deep latch, the cross-cradle hold can help cope with the problem.
Clutch Hold
The clutch hold is another effective way to breastfeed your child. The position is helpful for women recovering from C-section or abdominal surgery. The position is also ideal for those who have suffered from pain after childbirth. You can also use this position if you have two babies and want to feed them simultaneously.
Besides, this position allows your child to get a deeper latch and reduce the problem of a forceful let-down reflex. The clutch hold is also known as the football position because you hold your baby like a football.
Anyway, you can do this by placing a comfortable pillow on one side of your body to support the little one. Place pillows on both sides of your body if you have two babies. The next step is holding your baby’s face upwards in your arm while positioning his head near your breast.
Use your arm and hand to align and support your infant’s head, neck, and back. It is essential to cradle your baby close to your side by tucking their legs and feet under your arm.
Lying Back
Also known as biological nursing, the lying back position stimulates your baby’s feeding instincts and allows you to feed your baby effectively. If you have inflammation or pain in the muscle or are recovering from childbirth or a C-section, you can use the lying back position to breastfeed your baby comfortably.
Find a lying back position to support your head and neck. For instance, it is like a reclining position use by people to read a book or watch TV. You can also use a reclining chair to feel comfortable while breastfeeding your child.
Position your baby’s head at your breast level and make sure his or her neck is properly aligned. Although your baby will find your breast easily, it is crucial to help him or her to make things comfortable.
You can put your little one in an upright position with his toes pointing down. Another effective way is to position your baby reclining against your bent arm. You can experiment with different positions and adopt the one that best fits your needs.
Sitting Baby
A sitting position is ideal for babies who can support their head. It is an effective way to breastfeed your baby on the go. For instance, if you are traveling in a car or plane, you can use the sitting baby position to feed your child.
It requires you to sit in an upright position and hold your baby to sit properly. If you have a younger baby, allow him or her to lean against your bent arm for support. On the other hand, if you have an older baby, he will wrap his legs around one side of your abdomen.
It is necessary to support your little one’s neck and back until he can sit without your assistance. Make sure his back and neck are upright, straight, and properly aligned. Furthermore, remove anything that is covering your baby’s nose to allow him to breathe easily.
Side-Lying
Side-lying is another best breastfeeding position for new mothers recovering from C-section surgery. It is also an ideal position for those who need to breastfeed their child at night. If you sleep with your baby, you can use the side-lying position to comfortably feed your little one.
Initially, it is not easy to breastfeed your child in the side-lying position. Your child may also find it difficult to latch on to your breast in this position. However, if you practice this position for some time, you will be able to master it.
The side-lying position provides comfort at nighttime when you don’t want to feed your baby in a sitting position. Anyway, lie on one side and face your baby to start the process. Position your baby’s head near to your breast so that his nose is close to your nipple. Support the little’s one back with your arm. You can also use a rolled towel or blanket to support his or her back.
Final Words
Although there are several positions to breastfeed your infant, the important thing is to adopt a position according to the circumstances. For example, if your child has a latching problem, use the cradle hold position. Similarly, if you have two babies, use the clutch hold position, and if you want to feed your baby on the go, use the sitting baby position. Good Luck!
