Latching Positions and Principles

Neck Support and Baby's Alignment

These principles apply to any position:

• Support Baby at the base of his head, cradling his neck in the curve between your thumb and forefinger (like you would hold a softball). This offers plenty of support without putting pressure on the back of Baby's head.

• Position Baby "tummy to tummy" with you, with his body in alignment (nose, tummy, toes all facing you) and sung against you.

• If you need to encourage Baby closer to your body, push in with the heel of your hand, between his shoulder blades.

• Note the angle of Baby's head and neck in the photo. The head is very slightly tilted back. This leaves plenty of space for open his mouth and move his jaw.

Cross-Cradle With Pillow

• Keep your forearm snug against Baby's back to encourage full body contact.

• Encourage one of Baby's arms below your breast and one above. Think, "Hug the breast!"

• Aim your nipple at Baby's nose.

• Using the hand on the same side you are latching, make a "U" under your breast for support.

• Push into your breast tissue with your thumb to help compress the areola into a smaller "bite" for Baby to latch onto. This also angles the nipple up to help stimulate the roof of Baby's mouth and encourage the suck reflex.

• Baby's chin should contact your breast first, right below your nipple. This encourages the gape (wide open mouth) reflex.

• When Baby gapes, use your thumb to help "flip" the nipple into baby's mouth. Think, "Flip up, flip in." 

• Without a pillow, Baby's bottom rests in your lap and his head is higher than his tummy. 

• This can easily be done while reclined.

• All other principles of support and alignment still apply.

This position allows gravity to help encourage Baby's jaw to drop.

• This position works best if you are slightly reclined.

• Baby is upright on your lap with legs either straddling you or tucked against his stomach.

• Note the slightly tipped back head position in the picture. The chin is deep in the breast tissue.

Football Position

• This position can change the angle of the latch, which may help if you’re experiencing nipple soreness or damage. It can also be useful for babies with a side preference.

• Using a breastfeeding pillow turned sideways can provide good support for both you and baby.

• For this position to work well, Baby needs to be positioned further back than you might expect—almost behind your side. This helps keep their head in line with their body and prevents the chin from tucking, which can interfere with a deep, effective latch.

• It may feel a little awkward at first, but that “tucked behind you” feeling is actually what creates the right alignment.