5 Breastfeeding Positions & How to Get a Perfect Latch: Complete Guide

Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby, but it does not always come naturally. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, yet many mothers struggle with positioning and latch issues. In fact, nipple pain from a poor latch is one of the top reasons mothers stop breastfeeding early. The good news? With the right position and a proper latch, breastfeeding can be comfortable and even enjoyable. This guide covers 5 breastfeeding positions, step-by-step latch techniques, and solutions for the most common nursing problems.

Pre-Feeding Position Checklist

No matter which breastfeeding position you choose, check these fundamentals first.

• Your body should be comfortable: Support your back and arms with pillows or cushions
• Baby's ear, shoulder, and hip in a line: Your baby's body should not be twisted
• Tummy to tummy: Your baby's stomach should face and touch your stomach
• Nose to nipple: Your baby's nose should be level with your nipple
• Bring baby to you: Do not hunch forward — bring your baby to your breast instead

💡 A nursing pillow can significantly reduce arm and shoulder strain. Since newborns feed 8 to 12 times per day, maintaining a comfortable position is essential to prevent fatigue and back pain.

5 Breastfeeding Positions

1. Cradle Hold

The most traditional and well-known breastfeeding position.

How to do it

• Rest your baby's head in the crook of the elbow on the same side as the breast you are feeding from
• Use that same arm to support your baby's entire body along your forearm
• Use your opposite hand to support your breast in a C-hold
• Make sure your baby's stomach is pressed against yours

Best for

• Mothers and babies who are already comfortable with breastfeeding
• Babies 4 weeks and older who have some head control
• Mothers who have recovered well from a vaginal delivery

Note: The cradle hold can be tricky with newborns because it offers less head control. For very new babies, the cross-cradle hold is often easier.

2. Cross-Cradle Hold

The most recommended position for newborns and latch practice. It gives you precise control over your baby's head positioning.

How to do it

• Hold your baby with the arm opposite to the breast you are feeding from
• Support your baby's neck and shoulders with your open palm (do not press the back of the head!)
• Use the hand on the same side as the nursing breast to support your breast in a C-hold or U-hold
• Position your baby's nose opposite your nipple

Best for

• First-time breastfeeding mothers
• Newborns or babies who are still learning to latch
• Mothers working on correcting a shallow latch

💡 The cross-cradle hold gives you the most control over your baby's head position, making it the ideal choice for latch practice and correction. Many lactation consultants recommend starting with this hold.

3. Football Hold (Clutch Hold)

Your baby is tucked along your side, like carrying a football (or a clutch bag) under your arm.

How to do it

• Tuck your baby under the arm on the same side as the breast you are feeding from
• Support your baby's head and neck with your hand
• Your baby's legs should extend behind you toward the back of your chair
• Use a pillow to raise your baby to breast height

Best for

• After a C-section to avoid pressure on the incision
• Mothers with large breasts (easier to see the latch)
• Twins — you can feed both babies simultaneously, one on each side
• Small or premature babies
• When you need to drain a specific area of the breast (e.g., a clogged duct)

4. Side-Lying Position

A lying-down position that is especially helpful for nighttime feedings.

How to do it

• Lie on your side, facing your baby
• Place your lower arm above your head or under a pillow
• Pull your baby close so you are tummy to tummy
• Use your upper hand to guide your breast to your baby's mouth
• Place pillows behind your back and behind your baby for support

Best for

• Nighttime feedings (when sitting up is exhausting)
• After a C-section when sitting is painful
• Mothers with perineal soreness
• When you are physically exhausted from long feeding sessions

Important safety note: After nursing, always move your baby to a safe sleep surface (firm mattress, no blankets or pillows). Falling asleep while breastfeeding in bed can increase the risk of SIDS.

5. Laid-Back Position (Biological Nurturing)

You recline comfortably and your baby lies tummy-down on your chest. This is the most natural breastfeeding position and is gaining popularity among lactation experts.

How to do it

• Recline at about a 45-degree angle on a sofa or bed (not completely flat)
• Place your baby tummy-down on your chest, between your breasts
• Let your baby instinctively find the nipple and self-attach
• Your baby's entire body is supported by gravity against yours

Best for

• Mothers with a strong let-down reflex (gravity slows the flow)
• Babies who refuse to latch or have nipple confusion
• Stressed or anxious mothers (this is the most relaxing position)
• Mothers who want maximum skin-to-skin contact

💡 In the laid-back position, your baby's innate reflexes — especially the rooting reflex — are activated, helping them find and latch onto the breast on their own. This position is particularly effective for babies who struggle with latching.

Position Recommendations by Situation

Situation	Recommended Position	Why
Newborn / latch practice	Cross-cradle	Maximum head control for precise latch angle
After C-section	Football, side-lying	No pressure on the abdomen
Nighttime feeding	Side-lying	Mother can rest while nursing
Large breasts	Football	Easier to see and control the latch
Strong let-down	Laid-back	Gravity slows the milk flow
Nipple confusion / latch refusal	Laid-back	Activates baby's natural feeding reflexes
Twins (simultaneous feeding)	Football (both sides)	One baby on each side

How to Achieve a Proper Latch: Step-by-Step

A good latch is the foundation of pain-free breastfeeding and adequate milk intake. Follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Support Your Breast (C-Hold)

• Place your thumb above the areola and your other four fingers below, forming a C shape
• Keep your fingers well behind the areola so they do not interfere with the latch

Step 2: Stimulate Your Baby

• Gently brush your nipple against your baby's upper lip or nose
• Wait until your baby opens their mouth wide — as wide as a yawn
• Do not rush — the mouth must be fully open before you bring baby to the breast

Step 3: Bring Baby to Breast

• The moment your baby's mouth is wide open, bring them quickly to the breast
• Aim your baby's lower lip/chin to touch the breast first (asymmetric latch)
• Do not lean forward toward baby — pull baby toward you

Step 4: Confirm the Deep Latch

• Your baby should have a large mouthful of breast, not just the nipple
• More areola should be visible above your baby's upper lip than below the lower lip (asymmetric latch)
• Your baby's chin should be pressed into the breast

Good Latch vs Bad Latch: How to Tell

Check	Good Latch	Bad Latch
Mouth opening	Wide open (140 degrees or more)	Narrow, pursed
Lips	Both lips flanged outward (fish lips)	Lips curled inward
Coverage	Most of the areola is inside baby's mouth	Only the nipple is in baby's mouth
Chin	Baby's chin presses into the breast	Gap between chin and breast
Sound	Rhythmic swallowing sounds	Clicking or smacking sounds
Pain	Brief tugging sensation, then comfortable	Persistent pain throughout the feeding
Nipple shape (after feeding)	Nipple remains round	Nipple is flattened like a new lipstick

💡 If your nipple comes out of your baby's mouth looking like a slanted lipstick, it means the latch was too shallow. Break the seal and re-latch.

Common Latch Problems and Solutions

Sore or Cracked Nipples

Cause: Most commonly caused by a shallow latch. When only the nipple is in the baby's mouth, friction and pressure are concentrated on the nipple tip.

Solutions

• Break the latch (insert your pinky finger into the corner of baby's mouth to release the suction) and re-latch
• Ensure the baby's mouth is wide open before bringing them to the breast for a deeper latch
• After feeding, express a few drops of breast milk onto your nipple and let it air dry (breast milk contains antibodies that aid healing)
• Apply lanolin cream between feedings for protection

Baby Refuses to Latch

Cause: Nipple confusion (from bottle feeding), let-down that is too strong or too weak, nasal congestion, or overstimulation.

Solutions

• Try the laid-back position (activates baby's innate feeding reflexes)
• Spend time doing skin-to-skin contact before attempting to nurse
• If a strong let-down is the issue, hand express until the initial spray slows, then latch
• Try nursing in a quiet, dimly lit environment to reduce stimulation

Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia) / Lip-Tie

Signs to watch for

• The tissue under your baby's tongue (frenulum) is short or tight, limiting tongue movement
• The tongue may appear heart-shaped when the baby cries or tries to extend it
• The latch is repeatedly shallow despite repositioning
• Clicking sounds during feeding
• Slow weight gain despite frequent feeding

Solutions

• Have your baby evaluated by a pediatrician or ENT specialist
• If needed, consider a frenotomy (frenulum release) — a quick, simple procedure
• Many babies show immediate improvement in latch and feeding after the procedure

How to Properly Break the Latch

If your baby is latched incorrectly, pulling them off the breast forcefully can damage your nipple.

The correct way

• Gently insert your clean pinky finger into the corner of your baby's mouth
• You will hear a soft "pop" as the suction breaks
• Gently ease your baby away from the breast
• Reposition and try for a deeper latch

When to Seek Professional Help

Reach out to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a breastfeeding clinic if you experience any of the following.

• Severe pain every time you nurse
• Cracked, bleeding, or blistered nipples
• Your baby is not gaining weight adequately
• Your baby still seems hungry after every feeding
• Suspected tongue-tie or lip-tie
• Signs of mastitis (breast infection): fever, redness, flu-like symptoms

💡 Difficulty with breastfeeding is NOT your fault. Seeking professional help is a sign of great parenting, not failure. La Leche League, hospital lactation services, and IBCLC-certified consultants are all excellent resources.

Track Breastfeeding with BebeSnap

Consistent tracking is key to breastfeeding success. BebeSnap helps you stay organized and confident.

• Feeding Log: Record feeding duration per breast, frequency, and timing to understand your baby's nursing patterns
• Nursing Timer: Use the left/right breast timer to ensure balanced feeding and prevent engorgement
• AI Feeding Consultant: Got a breastfeeding question? Ask the AI chatbot for instant guidance
• Growth Tracking: Monitor your baby's weight changes to confirm adequate milk intake

FAQ

Q: Should I push through the pain if breastfeeding hurts?
A: No, never push through persistent pain. Mild tenderness during the first few days is normal as your nipples adjust, but ongoing pain during feeding is a clear sign that the latch needs correction. Break the latch and try again, or consult a lactation professional.

Q: My baby prefers one breast. Is that okay?
A: Feeding from only one breast can lead to uneven breast size and reduced milk supply on the neglected side. Try offering the less-preferred breast first when your baby is hungrier, or experiment with different positions (like the football hold) on the refused side.

Q: What should I do if my baby falls asleep during feeding?
A: Newborns frequently doze off during nursing — it is very common. Try tickling the soles of their feet, gently rubbing their back, or removing a layer of clothing to keep them slightly cool and awake. As long as your baby is feeding 8 to 12 times per day, wetting at least 6 diapers daily, and gaining weight appropriately, there is no need to worry.

Q: Can I combine bottle feeding and breastfeeding?
A: Yes, but to prevent nipple confusion, it is best to wait until breastfeeding is well established — usually around 3 to 4 weeks. When using a bottle, choose a slow-flow nipple and practice paced feeding to mimic the effort required at the breast.

References

• Mayo Clinic - Breastfeeding Positions
• La Leche League International - Positioning
• WIC Breastfeeding Support - Steps and Signs of a Good Latch
• Cleveland Clinic - Getting a Good Breastfeeding Latch
• NHS - Breastfeeding Positioning and Attachment
• ACOG - Breastfeeding Positions