Position is one of the most important and most overlooked variables in successful breastfeeding. Many problems that present as supply issues, pain, or slow weight gain in babies have their root in positioning — specifically, a position that is either uncomfortable for the mother, or that prevents the baby from achieving a deep, effective latch.
This guide covers the main breastfeeding positions, when each is most useful, and the universal principles of positioning that apply regardless of which hold you use.
The Fundamentals: What a Good Position Looks Like
Before exploring specific positions, it helps to understand what you are trying to achieve:
For the baby:
- Nose to nipple before latching — the baby tips their head back slightly and leads with the chin to scoop a large mouthful of breast, not just the nipple
- Chin in first, then lower lip, then upper lip
- Mouth wide and deep on the breast, with the nipple reaching the back of the mouth where there is soft palate (not the hard palate near the front)
- Baby's body turned fully towards the mother, belly to belly — no head-turning required
For the mother:
- Comfortable, supported position that can be sustained without straining
- Breast brought to baby, not baby craned towards breast
- Back, neck, and shoulders supported
- No pain beyond initial mild discomfort in the first few seconds of a feed
1. The Cradle Hold
The cradle hold is the classic breastfeeding position, most recognisable from images and the one many mothers instinctively try first.
How to do it:
- Sit upright with your back supported
- Hold your baby horizontally across your front, their head in the crook of your arm (on the same side as the breast you are feeding from), their body along your forearm
- Their tummy faces your tummy; their mouth is level with your nipple
- Use your other hand to support and shape the breast if needed
Best for:
- Older babies with good head control who can help position themselves
- Mothers who are comfortable breastfeeding in public
- Later in the feeding journey when positioning is second nature
Less suitable for:
- Newborns with poor head control, who may be harder to position in the crook of the arm without good neck support
- Mothers recovering from caesarean section (the baby lies across the abdomen)
- Engorgement, where controlling the breast shape is more important (try cross-cradle instead)
2. The Cross-Cradle Hold
The cross-cradle is often recommended as a better starting hold for newborns than the traditional cradle, because it gives the mother more control over the baby's head position and approach to the breast.
How to do it:
- Hold your baby across your front, but this time support their head with the hand opposite to the breast you are feeding from
- Your thumb is behind one ear, your fingers behind the other, with your palm supporting the back of the neck (not pushing the head — supporting it)
- Your other hand supports and shapes the breast
- Baby's body is across your front, supported on your forearm
Best for:
- Newborns and young babies learning to latch
- Working on latch issues — this hold gives the most control over approach angle
- When supply is high or breast is full and needs shaping for the baby to latch on
Less suitable for:
- Extended feeds where arm fatigue becomes a factor (a pillow under the arm helps)
3. The Rugby Hold (Clutch Hold, Underarm Hold)
The rugby hold positions the baby under the mother's arm, with the baby's body extending behind the mother rather than across her front.
How to do it:
- Hold your baby under your arm on the side you are feeding from, like a rugby ball under the arm
- Your hand supports the back of the baby's head and neck; their legs extend behind you
- Their mouth is at nipple level; their body is at your side, parallel to your body
- A large feeding cushion or ordinary pillow under your arm is very helpful
Best for:
- Caesarean section recovery — the baby is away from the abdomen scar
- Mothers of twins, feeding both babies simultaneously
- Blocked ducts in the outer quadrant of the breast — the baby's chin drains this area differently
- Babies who tend to pull off or bob while feeding — the hold gives good control
- Mothers with a strong let-down, as the milk flows downward rather than forward
Potential challenges:
- Takes practice to feel comfortable
- Can be harder to manage in public
- Baby's feet may kick the chair back
4. Laid-Back Breastfeeding (Biological Nurturing)
Laid-back feeding — sometimes called biological nurturing — is the position that most closely mimics the physiological conditions under which breastfeeding evolved. It relies on gravity and the baby's innate feeding reflexes to aid latching.
How to do it:
- Recline at approximately 45 degrees (not fully flat, but well back from upright)
- Place your baby face-down on your chest, belly to belly
- Support the baby as needed, but allow them to use their rooting and stepping reflexes to find the breast
- The baby's weight is supported by your body; your hands are free
Best for:
- Newborns and the early days of breastfeeding — gravity keeps the baby on the breast and reduces the risk of slipping
- Strong let-down or oversupply — the reclined position slows milk flow
- Nipple soreness — this position often produces the deepest latch with least friction
- A baby who is unsettled or struggling with positioning in other holds
- Night feeds and feed-to-sleep contexts
Things to be aware of:
- Ensure you are not so reclined that you fall asleep in an unsafe position with your baby
5. Side-Lying Position
Side-lying allows both mother and baby to lie on their sides facing each other, which is particularly useful for night feeds and for mothers recovering from birth.
How to do it:
- Lie on your side with your baby facing you, their mouth level with your lower breast
- Their body is parallel to yours, belly to belly
- You may need to use a rolled-up blanket or your arm to bring them to the right height
- Your lower arm can extend along the bed under your head, or you can support your head with your hand
Best for:
- Night feeds, particularly when you are tired
- Caesarean recovery
- Engorgement or discomfort that makes sitting uncomfortable
- Mothers with large breasts who find other positions unwieldy
Safety notes:
- If you think you may fall asleep during a side-lying feed, ensure you have followed the safer sleep guidelines for bedsharing or transfer your baby to their own sleep space after feeding
- The Lullaby Trust safer sleep guidance on bedsharing is worth reading in full if side-lying is a regular practice
Universal Tips for Any Position
- Bring the breast to the baby, not the baby to the breast. Leaning forward over a baby held too low causes back and neck strain.
- Nose to nipple. The baby should approach with the nose opposite the nipple, tipping the head back to scoop upwards with the chin.
- Shape the breast. In early weeks, shaping the breast with your free hand (fingers in a C-shape, well behind the areola) can help the baby achieve a deeper latch.
- Get help early. If feeding is consistently painful or your baby is not gaining weight appropriately, a lactation consultant or infant feeding specialist can assess position and latch in person. What reads straightforwardly in text is significantly easier to implement with hands-on support.
