Best Breastfeeding Positions Backed by Experts (with Tips & Visuals)
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural acts of parenting—yet it doesn’t always feel that way. From sore necks to latch issues, the way you hold your baby while nursing can make all the difference. That’s why mastering a few key breastfeeding positions can be a game changer for both your comfort and your baby’s nourishment.
In this guide ; backed by experts from the Mayo Clinic, Yale Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); you’ll learn the best breastfeeding positions, when to use them, and how Cubtale can support your journey every step of the way.
Why Breastfeeding Position Matters
According to the Mayo Clinic, proper positioning is essential. It helps ensure a deep latch, reduces nipple pain, and encourages optimal milk transfer. Furthermore, it minimizes the risk of mastitis and allows your baby to swallow more easily.
Meanwhile, Yale Health emphasizes the importance of both mother and baby being relaxed and supported. Baby’s head, neck, and body should be aligned for a successful feeding session.
In short, a good position can:
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Promote a deeper, more secure latch
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Prevent back, neck, and shoulder strain
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Reduce nipple soreness and milk leakage
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Make nighttime feeds easier
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Strengthen bonding between you and your baby
6 Expert-Recommended Breastfeeding Positions
1. Cradle Hold
The cradle hold is the classic breastfeeding position, where your baby lies on their side with their head resting in the bend of your elbow, and their body is turned toward yours.
✅ Ideal for: Full-term newborns and confident feeders
🔍 AAP Tip: Keep baby’s head and neck aligned with their spine
This position is often used once breastfeeding is established, as it offers less control over baby’s head. It’s cozy and natural, but may require adjustment early on to ensure a deep latch and reduce nipple pain.
2. Cross-Cradle Hold
This position offers more control for new moms learning to latch. Your opposite arm supports baby’s head, while the other hand supports your breast.
✅ Ideal for: Premature or small babies
📌 Mayo Clinic Note: Helpful for guiding baby to latch
This technique is particularly useful in the early days of breastfeeding when your baby is still learning how to latch effectively. It allows you to view and adjust the latch easily.
3. Football Hold (Clutch Hold)
In this position, your baby is tucked under your arm—like holding a football—with their legs extending behind you.
✅ Ideal for: C-section recovery, twins, large-breasted parents
🩺 Yale Health Insight: Keeps pressure off abdominal incisions
This hold is great for moms recovering from a cesarean birth, as it avoids contact with the incision area. It also works well for tandem nursing twins or managing babies who need extra head and neck support.
4. Side-Lying Position
Both you and your baby lie on your sides, tummy to tummy, for relaxed nursing. It’s a restful option especially during nighttime feeds.
✅ Ideal for: Nighttime nursing or mothers healing postpartum
🔔 AAP Reminder: Always ensure safe sleep surfaces
This position helps tired moms nurse without sitting up and encourages bonding in a peaceful environment. Just make sure your baby is repositioned to a safe sleeping spot after feeding.
💤 Need help staying on track during late-night feeds? Try Cubtale's reminder feature to keep your rhythm.
5. Laid-Back Breastfeeding (Biological Nurturing)
You lean back in a semi-reclined position, while your baby lies chest-to-chest and uses instinctive reflexes to find the breast.
✅ Ideal for: Early skin-to-skin bonding and relaxed nursing
🌿 AAP Insight: Helps trigger baby’s natural feeding reflexes
This approach helps babies activate their innate feeding cues—such as bobbing, crawling, and self-latching—and reduces the pressure on mom’s arms, making it a soothing, intuitive experience.
6. Upright / Koala Hold
Your baby sits upright on your lap, facing your breast, straddling your thigh or hip. They latch while maintaining a vertical position.
✅ Ideal for: Babies with reflux, older infants
🚼 Mayo Clinic Note: Helps with digestion and airway positioning
This position is especially helpful for babies who prefer to sit up and feed, and for those who experience discomfort when lying flat. It allows for active participation and eye contact, enhancing bonding.
How Cubtale Supports Breastfeeding Families
At Cubtale, we understand that feeding your baby is personal—and sometimes unpredictable. That’s why we created a smart and supportive app to help you navigate every step.
With the Cubtale Baby Tracker App, you can:
📱 Track breastfeeding duration, sides, and frequency
🔔 Get gentle reminders to switch sides or feed on schedule
👩 Share logs with your pediatrician or lactation consultant
📊 Spot patterns in baby’s appetite, habits, and growth
🧡 Because every feeding moment matters—and you don’t have to do it alone.
Expert Tips for a Comfortable Breastfeeding Experience
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Use a nursing pillow or regular pillow to bring baby to breast height
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Keep water nearby to stay hydrated
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Relax your shoulders and find back support
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Change positions if you experience discomfort or baby struggles to latch
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Don’t ignore pain—consult a lactation expert if you feel persistent soreness
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding should not be painful. Discomfort may signal issues like a shallow latch or positioning problems that need adjustment.
Final Thoughts
Breastfeeding might come with a learning curve—but you’ve got this. With the right positioning, expert-backed advice, and the support of Cubtale, feeding can become one of the most rewarding parts of your day.
Whether it’s 3 a.m. or your midday routine, Cubtale is here to help you feel more confident, capable, and connected.
📚 Explore More Resources
Want to feel even more confident for the early weeks? Check out our other helpful articles:
- When your baby is ready for solids, be sure to use our Free Solids Feeding List Template to stay organized.
- Not exclusively breastfeeding? No problem—if you’re using formula, check out our Ultimate Formula Feeding Guide & Calculator to understand how much your baby really needs.
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