5 breastfeeding positions that help baby latch deeper and hurt your nipples less

Every time baby latches on, you grit your teeth. If you’ve had nipple pain like this, you know how much it wears down your spirit. Many moms think “breastfeeding is just supposed to hurt like this,” but Cleveland Clinic says plainly that breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, and if it does, the most common cause is baby not latching deeply.

Latching is something you can practice. We’ve pulled together 5 commonly used breastfeeding positions, with which ones suit whom and how to check baby is latching correctly. Try them one at a time, then pick the one where both mom and baby are most comfortable.

The basics to check before choosing a position

Quick Answer: Whatever the position, baby’s body should be close to mom, head and body in a straight line, nose level with the nipple, and you bring baby to the breast rather than leaning your body down to baby.

The NHS sums up the latching steps simply like this:

1. Hold baby close, facing the breast, with head and body in a straight line
2. Have baby’s nose level with the nipple
3. Let baby’s head tip back a little so the top lip touches the nipple, and baby will open wide
4. When baby opens wide, bring baby to the breast so the chin touches the breast first
5. Baby takes in the nipple and more of the lower part of the areola than the upper part

1. Laid-back: good for the early days and after a C-section

Quick Answer: Mom leans back, half reclining, with baby lying tummy down on her chest, tummy to tummy, and lets baby find the breast. This position helps baby latch deeper by instinct.

• How: Lean back on a bed or sofa with pillows behind you, and lay baby on your chest with baby’s head near the breast
• Suits: The early days after birth, C-section moms who can lay baby diagonally away from the wound, moms with a strong let-down
• Plus: Cleveland Clinic says this position helps baby latch better and reduces nipple pain

2. Cradle hold: the classic, most familiar position

Quick Answer: Mom sits upright, with baby’s head in the crook of the arm on the same side as the breast she’s feeding from, baby lying on their side, tummy to tummy with mom.

• How: Sit back comfortably, use pillows under your arm and baby’s body, keep baby’s tummy against yours and baby’s face toward the breast
• Suits: Moms whose babies are already good at latching. It’s the most popular position
• Watch out: The NHS says it may not be very comfortable for C-section moms, because baby’s body presses on the wound

3. Cross-cradle: the best for practicing a deep latch

Quick Answer: Like the cradle hold, but you use the opposite hand to support the back of baby’s neck and head, which lets you time bringing baby to the breast more precisely.

• How: If feeding from the right breast, support baby’s body with your left arm, with your left hand supporting baby’s neck and behind the ears. Your right hand supports the breast in a C shape, away from the areola
• Suits: New moms, small babies, or babies who still latch shallowly
• Plus: Cleveland Clinic says this position gives you more control of baby’s head than the ordinary cradle hold

4. Football (rugby) hold: for C-section moms and larger breasts

Quick Answer: Baby lies along mom’s side with legs pointing toward mom’s back, like tucking a football under your arm. Baby’s body doesn’t press on your belly at all.

• How: Put a pillow beside you, lay baby on it half on their side, and use the hand on the same side as the breast to support baby’s back and neck. Ramathibodi Hospital recommends this as one of the main positions for new moms
• Suits: C-section moms, moms with larger breasts, twins (feeding both at once)
• Plus: You can see baby’s mouth clearly, which makes managing the latch easier

5. Side-lying: helps mom rest at night

Quick Answer: Mom lies on her side and baby lies on their side facing mom, tummy to tummy. Good for night feeds and moms who are still sore, but use it only when mom is alert enough.

• How: Lie on your side with pillows supporting your head and back. Have baby’s nose level with the nipple, and use the arm you’re not lying on to support baby’s body
• Suits: C-section moms or moms after a difficult birth, night feeds, moms with a strong let-down
• Watch out: Cleveland Clinic stresses that mom must be sure she won’t fall asleep with baby in this position. If you’re very sleepy, move baby back onto their back on their own sleep surface. Read more in Sleeping with baby safely

How to tell if baby has a deep latch, and what to do if it’s shallow

Quick Answer: If you can see more areola above than below, baby’s cheeks are full, you can hear swallowing, and mom isn’t in pain throughout the feed, the latch is good. If it’s shallow, break the suction and start again.

Signs of a deep latch (summarized from the NHS and Cleveland Clinic):

• Baby’s mouth is wide open, chin pressed against the breast
• Baby takes in more of the lower areola than the upper
• Cheeks full and round, not sucked in
• Quick sucks at first, then long, slow sucks with swallowing sounds
• Baby comes off the breast on their own when full

If the latch is shallow, don’t pull the breast straight out, it really hurts. Gently slip a clean little finger into the corner of baby’s mouth to break the suction first, then start again from step one. Try as many times as you need, there’s no rush at all.

A good latch also helps baby draw out more milk. If you’re still worried about whether baby is getting enough, see how to check in Diaper signs that baby is getting enough milk, and if your milk hasn’t come in yet in the early days, read Baby’s here but my milk hasn’t come in.

Call your doctor or a breastfeeding clinic if…

Quick Answer: If it still hurts a lot after adjusting the position, your nipples are cracked, or you have a fever with a red, hot breast, contact the hospital.

Talk to a nurse or breastfeeding clinic if

• You’ve adjusted the position several times and it still hurts throughout the whole feed
• Your nipples are cracked or bleeding, or look squashed or flattened after feeding
• Baby can’t latch on, keeps slipping off, or is fussy at every feed
• Baby has fewer wet or dirty diapers than they should

See a doctor soon if

• Mom has a fever, and a breast that is red, hot, swollen and painful in one spot, which may be mastitis
• There are white spots or patches on your nipple or in baby’s mouth, along with a lot of pain

Remember, mom and baby are learning this together. A feed that doesn’t go perfectly doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You can always try again tomorrow.