Finding a comfortable breastfeeding position can make a significant difference to your feeding experience. The way you position yourself and your baby can influence how deeply your baby attaches to the breast, how effectively they drink, and how comfortable you feel during and after feeds, and the overall sustainability of your breastfeeding experience.
As an IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Midwife, I spend a considerable amount of time helping mothers find breastfeeding positions that work with their individual anatomy, their baby's feeding abilities and their stage of postpartum recovery.
While there are several commonly taught breastfeeding positions, I don't believe there is one position that suits every mother and baby. Some are more sustainable than others, and often a small adjustment to how you're sitting or supporting your baby can make all the difference.
Here are four breastfeeding positions I regularly use in my clinical practice, including when I recommend them and what to look out for.
1. Reclined Cradle Hold (Laid-Back Breastfeeding)
This is my go-to breastfeeding position and the one I find most sustainable for the majority of breastfeeding mothers.
Reclined breastfeeding is intuitive for both mother and baby. Rather than holding your baby's weight entirely through your forearms, their body rests against your torso, allowing you to relax into the feed.
You can recline as far back as feels comfortable, making this position particularly adaptable for feeding on the couch or in bed.
Partners often comment on how much more comfortable a mother looks when feeding in this position compared with more upright, structured holds.
Why I recommend it:
Better support for your baby. Reclining allows your baby's weight to be distributed across your torso, helping them feel stable and supported.
Helpful for fast milk flow. Positioning your baby on top of the breast rather than underneath it may help them manage a generous or forceful milk flow.
Improved nipple accessibility. Reclining can change the angle of the breast and make a lower-positioned nipple easier for your baby to access.
Less physical strain. Your shoulders can relax, your head can rest back, and your arms no longer need to carry your baby's full weight.
Supports postpartum recovery. Reclining reduces the demands of sitting upright and may feel more comfortable while your pelvic floor is recovering.
A free hand. With your baby well supported, your non-feeding arm is available for a drink, a snack or gentle touch and connection with your baby.
Gravity also helps keep your baby's body close to yours, supporting a stable, deep attachment to the breast.
My clinical tip: Rather than focusing on holding your baby in place, focus on supporting your own body first. Once you're comfortable, allow your baby to rest against you, tummy to tummy, with their head free to tilt back naturally.
2. Underarm Hold (Football or Rugby Hold)
The underarm hold is commonly introduced in the early days of breastfeeding and can be a useful option for particular mothers and babies.
I find it especially helpful for smaller babies, mothers with fuller breasts, or when the nipple sits lower on the breast and is difficult for the baby to access in a traditional cradle position.
However, this isn't always the most sustainable position as your baby grows.
For babies of average or above-average birth weight, space under the arm can quickly become limited, and supporting their weight can place considerable strain on the wrist, shoulders and upper back.
When this position can be useful:
For mothers with larger or fuller breasts who want a clearer view of their baby's attachment.
When the nipple sits lower on the breast and the baby attaches more easily from underneath.
For smaller babies who need additional positioning support.
For twins, particularly when establishing tandem breastfeeding.
What to be mindful of:
Use pillows strategically to support your baby's body rather than relying on your wrist to hold their weight.
Position your baby's body far enough back alongside your torso so their head has room to tilt back naturally.
Avoid rounding your shoulders or leaning forward over your baby.
Make sure your baby's body is well supported and their chin isn't tucked tightly towards their chest.
If you've been exclusively breastfeeding in the underarm hold, I often recommend exploring reclined or side-lying positions to give your posture a break.
A position that works beautifully during the first week may not be the one that serves you best several months later.
For mothers with fuller breasts or a lower nipple position who find this hold particularly comfortable, a Breastfeeding Buddy can be a useful support. It helps support your baby's weight, reducing the need to hold them entirely through your wrist and forearm. It can also be used with cradle and cross-cradle positions.
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3. Cross-Cradle Hold
The cross-cradle hold is probably the breastfeeding position most commonly taught during a hospital stay.
It involves supporting your baby's head and upper body with the arm opposite the feeding breast, while the other hand can be used to shape or support the breast.
Although widely taught, this position can feel surprisingly instruction-heavy for new parents.
There are often multiple steps to remember: where to place your hands, how to support your baby's shoulders, when to bring them towards the breast, and how to encourage a deep attachment.
For some mothers, this can make breastfeeding feel more technical than intuitive.
That said, cross-cradle positioning can be particularly useful when a baby is struggling to attach, is smaller, or requires more active support during a feed.
When I recommend it:
When a baby needs more guided support to achieve a deep latch.
When breast shaping helps a baby attach more effectively.
For smaller babies who may need additional head and body support.
When we need a clearer view of how the baby is approaching and attaching to the breast.
My clinical tips:
Support your baby's neck and shoulders rather than applying pressure to the back of their head.
Keep your baby's body close and aligned, with their head free to tilt back.
Bring your baby towards your breast rather than leaning your breast or torso towards them.
Look for a comfortable, deep attachment with the chin contacting the breast and the nose remaining clear or lightly touching.
Your baby's cheeks should remain rounded, and breastfeeding should not involve ongoing pinching or nipple pain.
I often use cross-cradle positioning as a teaching tool during consultations, particularly when we're working through attachment difficulties. Once feeding becomes more established, we can explore positions that require less active holding and support.
4. Side-Lying Breastfeeding
Side-lying is another favourite of mine and a position I frequently introduce to mothers during the early postpartum period.
It can be particularly supportive when you're recovering from birth, feeling physically exhausted or finding that your baby becomes unsettled during feeds.
I also love exploring this position with babies who are particularly fussy at the breast. Some babies appear calmer when their bodies are fully supported and they're feeding in a quieter, less stimulating environment.
Rather than sitting upright and supporting your baby's weight, you can lie comfortably on your side, facing your baby.
Why I recommend it:
Supports postpartum rest. Particularly valuable during the early weeks when recovery and rest deserve priority.
Helpful for unsettled babies. Some babies become more relaxed when feeding in a side-lying position.
Reduces physical strain. Your back, neck, shoulders and arms get a break from more upright breastfeeding positions.
Comfortable for fuller breasts. The mattress supports some of the breast's weight, which can make positioning feel easier.
May feel better during pelvic floor recovery. Lying down removes some of the demands of upright feeding.
A sustainable option. Particularly useful as breastfeeding continues beyond the newborn period.
My clinical tip: Position yourself and your baby facing one another, with their body close to yours. Your baby's nose should be around nipple height before attachment, allowing them to tilt their head back as they latch.
If you're learning this position, it can help to practise during the day when you're awake and have someone available to assist.
A note on safety: Side-lying feeding is different from safe infant sleep. Keep pillows, loose bedding and other soft items away from your baby's face, and follow Australian safe sleep guidance. If you feel sleepy, plan to return your baby to their own safe, flat sleep space once the feed is finished. Never feed on a couch or armchair if there's a chance you may fall asleep.
Which Breastfeeding Position Is Best?
The best breastfeeding position is one that supports both you and your baby.
Your baby should be able to attach comfortably, maintain a stable latch and drink effectively, while you feel physically supported rather than tense or strained.
I encourage mothers to explore different positions rather than feeling they need to perfect one particular technique.
Your needs will also change. What works in the first few days after birth may be quite different from what feels comfortable at six weeks, three months or beyond.
If breastfeeding is painful, your baby is repeatedly slipping off the breast, or you're finding it difficult to get comfortable despite adjusting your position, it's worth having a thorough breastfeeding assessment.
Positioning can make an enormous difference, but persistent difficulties sometimes need more individualised assessment and support.
Need Help Finding a More Comfortable Way to Breastfeed?
Breastfeeding shouldn't leave you feeling physically exhausted, tense or in pain.
During my breastfeeding consultations, I assess how your baby attaches and drinks, explore the factors contributing to any feeding difficulties, and help you find positions that work for your body and your baby's individual needs.
My aim is to make breastfeeding feel more comfortable, effective and sustainable, with practical guidance you can confidently use at home.
Book a breastfeeding consultation with Joelleen
I offer in-person breastfeeding consultations at House of Health in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, as well as online consultations for families across Australia and New Zealand.
Book a Clinic Breastfeeding Consultation
Joelleen Winduss Paye — IBCLC Lactation Consultant, Endorsed Midwife & Naturopath.
