10 Breastfeeding Positions to Master
These 10 breastfeeding positions to master will determine the path of your breastfeeding journey. Master these skills and you will be a pro. If this is your first baby, I’m sure you’re wondering what the “breastfeeding positions” hype is all about. I mean really, what is the big deal about a specific position to hold and feed your baby at the breast? Don’t you just put the kiddo there and he naturally knows what to do? On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned successful nursing mom, you get it. You remember how integral the correct placement of hands could calm baby quickly and bring you comfortable tugging, not pinching. If you’re not new to breastfeeding but didn’t have an easy go of it, maybe this blog is the perfect fit for you. Either way, having a few reminders and pictures to refer to, can only aid in your expedition. The goal is to pass nutrients from your breast to the baby’s mouth with the least amount of discomfort and the most gain. Properly positioning the little one when feeding can alleviate a lot of the issues you hear about. Let’s look at the most common ways and explore a few other techniques that help during complications. Breastfeeding Positions to Master Cross Cradle: For the newborn, this and “football” are the go-to holds. Although don’t rule out the older baby- especially when sick, preemie, neurologically impaired or other anomalies. The more control you have to start the process of feeding, the easier your baby will obtain a comfortable latch. Primarily you would hold your breast with one hand and the baby’s head with the other for optimal results. While supporting baby with-say, the right arm you would cross your body to the left breast. The key to making this work is that you are bringing the baby to the breast, not your breast to the baby. Football or Clutch: As mentioned above, in the beginning, head management and breast support is the way to a foolproof, comfortable start. Imagine holding a football clutched under your arm and running down the field to the goal. You’ll need to keep the football safe and properly supported to reach your desired target. Same with a baby- without the running! Always HOLD your baby, don’t let baby lay on a surface- even the ones “made for breastfeeding,” like a boppy! When using your right hand, you’ll support the baby’s head and the left hand will support the right breast. Carefully and patiently you’ll use both hands to guide the baby to the right breast. Cradle: Most widely used position for the baby with head control and an experienced mom. In those first weeks, this position may cause nipple pain, slow weight gain and a lot of frustration. While it is a common, natural placement in the arms of a mother-or anyone for that matter-this hold has the tendency to make baby “search” for the nipple and take longer to get a quality feeding underway. Since the baby will have his head in the crook of the elbow and mom will need to lift her arm with 8ish pounds of a squiggly worm, it’s difficult to get the perfect latch. When the baby is in the left arm, he would go to left breast. With stronger neck muscles in the future weeks, cradle hold will be easy to accomplish. Side-Lying: For sure, the most comfortable way for an exhausted mother to nurse her young child. Let’s face it, Parenting is EXHAUSTING, and we need all the help we can get to keep going. Any chance you can assume a restful, feeding position- take it. There is nothing wrong with feeding this way any time of day or night. Having your body fully supported by setting pillows around you and between your knees, will give a higher likelihood of comfort and success. The first few attempts will go smoother if a helper can position the baby at the breast once you’re settled. Don’t worry about baby’s comfort, they are easily adaptable. You would get in your usual side-lying position with a pillow under your head, position yourself so that the bottom breast is accessible to baby and adjust your back so that it is supported. The helper puts baby on his side next to exposed breast with nose to nipple and mom wraps an arm around his back or puts a wedge there to keep him in this area. A few variations would be to invert or to cradle baby before laying down. Be patient and relax. Let the endorphins flow. Laid Back: Maybe you’ve heard this one referred to as “biological nurturing”? Either way, it’s the same concept, LAY BACK in a recliner of some sort. Not flat on your back. Allow you and baby to home in on your natural intuition in a relaxed, supportive chair or bed. If you sit semi-reclined with enough backing to your body and put the baby’s front side to your front side with the baby’s cheek somewhere near the bare breast, feeding will take place. You can support or guide him, hold or not hold breast and just watch your little one take the lead. It is essential that gravity is on your side and you have the option to let go if you choose to. More Complicated Positions to Master Hands and Knees or Dangling: Yes, I do mean laying baby on his back while you hang your breast over him and let him latch. This is a great option for an engorged breast, plugged duct, mastitis, sick baby, etc. When breasts or babies are congested this odd position can help alleviate the issue. It’s a good idea to have a helper to make you more comfortable with props once you get started. This is a short-term situation not meant for everyday use. Upright or Koala: Sounds awkward but it can be very effective for babies with reflux, ear infections, tongue
Rock Your Labor in These Positions
To rock your labor in these positions, you will need an open mind, sense of humor and a little flexibility. Don’t wait until crunch time to check these out! Let’s face it; LABOR is hard work and requires creativity and instinct to help move the process along. Giving birth is not a sedentary sport. Active involvement can lessen your birth time, reduce pain, and decrease the need for medications. Overall, satisfaction with the birthing process comes from freedom of movement and allowing your body to do what comes naturally. Contrary to images you may have seen in movies or books, the lithotomy (laying on your back with feet in stirrups) position is not the ideal choice for women. However, many factors can influence the mother’s position decision, including setting, mother’s choice & comfort, caregiver preference, or medical intervention. For a healthy mother & baby choosing to have an unmedicated birth, no position is off-limits. Experiment and rehearse what works for you. Checklist to Rock Your Labor Create an environment conducive to allow versatility for greatest achievement. Don’t skimp on preparations for an advantageous experience. Start with these tips and add what you personally enjoy for comfort. partner doula open space; free of debris that may get in your way environment settings; bright, dim, warm, cool, quiet, busy, etc. pillows bed rocking chair birth ball tub, shower towels, sheets birth stool squat bar music essential oils Positions to Rock Your Labor 1. The Squat Birth stool, toilet, bed bar, wall bar, and supported with a partner are all optimal choices. Practice before your due date to get familiar with what feels right for you and build your quads to avoid fatigue. Ideally, your heels would be propped up with something whenever you assume this position if you can’t put them on the floor. Benefits Gives good pelvic alignment Helps baby use gravity and descent Better rotation Can provide 10% more room for baby to move out Less work for pushing Gives best fetal circulation Increases urge to push Takes pressure off the tailbone Decrease need for episiotomy, forceps or vacuum Drawbacks Fatigue Need a reliable partner when using a supported squat Some studies suggest excessive blood loss for some mothers 2. Side-Lying It’s best to stay upright as much as possible, but sometimes relaxation does the trick after working so hard. Try not to lay flat; use the incline position for better gain. To utilize this effectively, place props all around you and between your knees. Take a deep breath and let everything else genuinely support you. Benefits Rest Comfort Helps baby rotate when needed Great fetal circulation Balances moms blood pressure Good for a medicated birth Takes pressure of tailbone Drawbacks Can slow labor if left side-lying too long Pushing in this position can be awkward but sometimes useful for a baby finding himself in a challenging place. 3. Standing, Leaning, Walking, Lunging, Stair Walking Typically, when the mother uses movement, she feels productive throughout labor. Since walking comes naturally to her, and the baby is used to being “rocked,” this exercise can be the most beneficial. Intermittently try stairs, lunging, leaning, and standing still. Benefits Helps labor progress Keeps optimal pelvic alignment Aids baby with gravity Gives baby a better chance to correct a poor position Increases strength of contractions Decreases pain Drawbacks Fatigue Usually cannot do too much with a medicated birth 4. Hands and Knees, Kneeling, Asymmetrical Kneeling You can do this on any safe surface that gives a little cushion for comfort. Use pillows or blankets on the floor if you find yourself there. Be sure to have a support person around to help you up. Benefits Takes pressure off the tailbone Helps baby rotate Better fetal circulation Increased oxygen Decreases need for episiotomy, forceps or vacuum Drawbacks Fatigue Sore knees Sore arms 5. Sitting, Reclining The resting position with gravity still on your side. Using this option periodically throughout labor and pushing can aid you in getting a resurgence of energy. There is nothing wrong with taking occasional breaks. Listen to your body. Increase blood pressure Easy monitoring Less chance of tearing Drawbacks Can slow labor when resting too long You’ve Got This! If labor wakes you in the middle of the night, and you are a low risk, normal, healthy woman- try to stay resting or sleeping as much as possible. Use your circadian rhythm to guide you as to when to take action or not. Alternating between resting positions and active movement throughout the labor and birth process can expedite your experience. Take time during pregnancy to practice getting into these positions with and without props and a partner. If you make an effort now to perfect these -sometimes awkward- positions, they will become instinctive rather than stressful. There is no right or wrong way to give birth, listen to your body. You can rock your labor in these positions and any that feel best for you. Happy Parenting-to-be!
