Breastfeeding positions that keep the baby comfortable

Feeding your baby should not hurt. Feeding your baby should not feel like a wrestling match. A lot of breastfeeding stress comes from position, not from milk supply or “doing it wrong.” When your baby’s body is supported and their mouth can get a deep latch, feeding becomes calmer for them and less painful for you. The goal is comfort for both of you, not a perfect photo.

This blog walks through the most helpful breastfeeding positions, how each one supports the baby’s body, and when each one tends to work best. You do not have to use only one position forever. Most parents switch depending on time of day, energy level, and recovery needs. That is normal.

Laid back or reclined position

This position is exactly what it sounds like. You lean back and rest in a semi-reclined position, and your baby lies on your chest and tummy, tummy to tummy with you. Baby’s body is supported by your body instead of by your arms doing all the work.

This position is especially helpful in the early days because gravity is gentle instead of pulling baby down or forward. Your baby’s chin can tip into the breast, their nose stays free, and their head can tilt back slightly to open wide. You are not hunching forward, which means less neck and shoulder strain for you. A lot of babies also feed more calmly in this position because it feels like natural contact, not “time to perform.”

This is a great choice right after birth, during those cluster-feed evenings, and any time you feel touched out and just want to lean back and breathe while baby settles and feeds.

Cross cradle hold

In cross cradle, you are sitting more upright. You use the arm opposite the breast to support the baby. So if you are feeding from the left breast, your right arm is behind the baby’s shoulders and neck, and your left hand can shape or support the breast if you want to.

Parents like this position because it gives a lot of control in helping baby latch deeply. You can guide baby in nose-to-nipple, wait for a big open mouth, and then bring baby in quickly so the chin lands first. Baby’s body should be turned fully toward you, belly to belly, not twisted with hips one way and head the other way. Ears, shoulder, and hip should be in one line. That line matters because it keeps swallowing easier and reduces fighting, popping off, or clicking sounds.

This position works well when you are still figuring out latch or if you have a sleepy baby who needs a little help staying on and staying organized.

Cradle hold

Cradle hold looks like the classic “baby in your arms” position. If you are feeding from the left breast, baby’s head rests in the bend of your left elbow, and their body lies across your front. Your right arm can rest across baby’s body or support your own body.

Cradle can feel cozy once baby is latching well and does not need a ton of direction. It is often easier later, once feeding is established, than in the first few days when everything still feels slippery and awkward. The main thing here is to bring the baby up to you instead of bending yourself down to the baby. If you lean your whole body forward to “get to them,” you will feel it in your shoulders fast. Use pillows or rolled blankets under your arms if you need to lift baby up to breast height.

Cradle is an easy position for calm daytime feeds, couch feeds, and feeds when you are out of bed and want something that feels natural and low effort.

Football or clutch hold

In football hold, the baby is tucked along your side instead of across your lap. If you are feeding from the right breast, baby’s body is along your right side, under your arm, feet pointing back behind you, with their face at your breast. You support the back of baby’s neck and shoulders with your right hand and forearm, while your left hand can support the breast.

This position is helpful for a few reasons. First, it keeps baby off the front of your body. If you had a cesarean birth and your incision is sore, football hold avoids pressure on your belly. Second, it gives a lot of head and neck control for you, which can be useful with smaller babies, babies who are still learning to latch, or babies who tend to slip.

It is also helpful for parents with larger breasts who want to be able to see baby’s mouth clearly and keep airways open. You can adjust angle and height with pillows under your arm so you are not holding tension for the entire feed.

Side lying position

Side lying is the “please let me rest” position. You lie on your side in bed or on a firm, flat surface. Baby lies on their side facing you, tummy to tummy. You and baby are lined up belly to belly, and you bring baby in close so they can latch while you stay lying down.

Side lying matters for recovery. If you are sore, lightheaded, or just so tired you cannot sit up anymore, this position lets you feed without holding your own body weight upright. Night feeds especially can feel easier like this because you are not doing the sit-burp-sit-burp dance for forty minutes.

You still want to keep safety in mind. The surface should be firm, not a soft couch where baby can sink. Keep blankets and pillows clear of baby’s face. When the feed is over, you move baby back to their safe sleep space on their back. Side lying is not “sleeping together all night and hoping for the best.” It is a rest position for feeding, especially in the healing period.

How to know if baby is comfortable

A comfortable latch and position usually looks and sounds like this. Your baby’s chin is touching the breast, their nose is close but not pressed flat, and their neck is tilted slightly back instead of bending forward with the chin tucked down to the chest. Their body is facing you fully, not twisted. Their hands are relaxed or resting on you, not pushing or bracing. You hear steady swallows after the first few pulls.

A baby who is not comfortable often shows you right away. You might hear clicking. You might feel pinching. Their hands may push at the breast. Their brow might tense. Their body might arch back and fight the position. They may keep popping off and trying again and again. That is your cue to pause, reset, and try a different angle or more support under their body.

If feeding is painful for you, if you are seeing cracking or bleeding or you find yourself dreading every latch, that is not “normal you just have to get through it.” That is a sign you deserve help with position and latch right now, not later.

Position changes are not failure

Some parents feel like, “If I switch positions, am I confusing the baby?” No. You are adapting. Your body is not always comfortable in the same way at every feed. Your baby’s body is growing fast and changing week to week. Certain positions work better at certain times of day. Football hold might feel best in the first weeks after a cesarean. Side lying might save you at 2 a.m. Cross cradle might help on days when latch feels lazy. Laid back might be the only way your baby settles during a fussy evening cluster.

This flexibility is a strength, not a problem.

When to reach out for more support

You should ask for help if feeding always hurts, if your baby makes a lot of clicking sounds or keeps breaking seal, if they fall asleep at the breast after a minute or two and never really take a full feed, if you worry they are not getting enough, or if you feel stuck in one position because everything else ends in crying.

This is where real hands-on care matters. At Eat Sleep Love Baby, we support feeding in a way that is calm and realistic for real families. We help you adjust hold and angle so baby can latch deeply without straining. We show you how to keep baby comfortable and supported through the feed instead of sliding and slipping. We also stay with you overnight if you choose overnight newborn care, so feeds in the middle of the night feel less like panic and more like a routine you can repeat.

You are not supposed to figure this all out while sleep deprived and sore with a baby who has a very loud opinion. You are allowed to get help.

The bottom line

The right breastfeeding position is the position where your baby can stay close, breathe easily, open wide, and stay relaxed — and where your body is not in pain. Laid back gives you rest and contact. Cross cradle gives you control. Cradle gives you something natural and familiar. Football protects a healing belly and keeps baby stable. Side lying lets you feed and still lie down when your body is done for the day.

You can rotate. You can adjust. You can ask for hands-on help.

If you want someone to walk you through positioning, latch, night feeds, and soothing in real time so you are not doing it alone at 3 a.m., reach out to Eat Sleep Love Baby. Our support is not here to judge. Our support is here to make feeding feel safe, calm, and comfortable for both of you.