Breastfeeding is a very pleasant process for both mom and baby. The more competent breastfeeding is established, the more pleasant and problem-free this process will be for both sides. One of the important points in establishing GV is the development of a variety of postures for feeding. The ability to feed the baby in different positions helps the mother not to get tired during prolonged application and is the prevention of stagnation in the chest.
Most mothers are already intuitively trying to feed in different positions. So that you do not have to waste time and come up with postures for feeding, we share this “cheat sheet”.
Pose 1. "In the crib"
The “Cradle” pose when feeding while sitting is the most famous and universal, as it suits both a newborn baby and a child over one year old. The breast is in the arms of the mother, as if in a cradle: his head is on the elbow of one hand, with the other, the mother grasps and holds the back. The baby is deployed to mom "belly to stomach", and his mouth is located directly opposite the nipple. In this position, the mother can feed both from the right and from the left breast, shifting the baby with the head from one hand to the other.
A variation of the pose “In the cradle” can be called standing feeding. The baby in her mother’s arms is in the same position, only the mother herself is not sitting, as is most often the case, but is standing. This is usually how babies are fed when they are rocking and sleeping. Mom can sway standing with her whole body or move around the room at a slow pace.
Pose 2. "The Cross Cradle"
“Cross Cradle” is a variation of the previous pose. The main difference is that mom hands provide additional support to the baby. The head is supported with two hands: the palm of the hand that is on the side of the nursing chest, and the palm of the opposite hand supporting the baby’s body.
This position is very convenient when the mother needs to establish the correct grip of the chest. With the palms of the mother, the head of the crumb can be moved closer, and then the baby will be able to deeply capture the nipple along with the areola, as it should be. The need for correction of capture is more often in weak or premature babies.
Pose 3. "From under the arm"
The feeding position from under the arm is great for women who should not sit after a natural birth or cesarean section. With this method of feeding, the mother is in a reclining position, leaning on the thigh and forearm.In this case, the baby is laid on the pillow so that its body is perpendicular to the mother’s, and is located between the mother’s body and the support arm. Palm mother supports the head of the crumbs and gives him a chest as if from above.
From under the arm, you can feed while sitting, most importantly, cover yourself with pillows and take a comfortable position.
For mom, the “out of the armpit” pose is the prevention of stagnation of milk in the lower and lateral segments of the breast, so at least once a day should give the breast in this way. (See article on milk stasis)
Pose 4. "Lying on the arm"
The posture for feeding while lying gives mom the opportunity to relax her back and rest from an upright position. Mom and baby are lying on their sides facing each other. It is better to put the baby on a pillow, so the baby will be taller and it will be easier for him to reach the chest. An older child can do without a pillow. With the “lower” hand, mom hugs the baby so that his head rests on her hand. This pose is convenient for sleeping together.
A variant of this posture is feeding from the lower chest while lying down. The baby lies nearby, face to face with his mother. At the same time, mother removes her lower arm under her head. If in the first case the mother supports the baby with her hand, then in this version the baby should be supported with a pillow so that he keeps on his side and does not roll over on his back.
Pose 5. "Lying from the upper chest"
This pose is convenient if the mother decided to change her breasts, but to shift the baby or roll over to the other side for some reason she is not very comfortable. Mom and baby are lying on their sides face to face. The lower hand serves the mother as a support, thanks to which the mother lifts the body slightly and gives the baby the upper chest. True, it is not possible to feed for a long time in this position, since a big load is given to my mother's hand. For convenience, the baby can be put on a pillow.
Any posture for feeding can be transformed into posture with a pillow. This does not necessarily require a special pillow for feeding. You can do with ordinary pillows, because they can also serve as a support, lift, soften the load.
Pose 6. "Baby on Mom"
Sometimes it becomes necessary to feed in such an unusual pose: the baby lies on his mother, stomach to stomach, the head slightly turned on its side. This pose is convenient in the first months of life. During this period, lactation is still being established, so there are still hot flashes of milk during which the trickles can be quite strong and the baby can literally choke. If the baby is on top - it’s easier for him to cope with the flow of milk.
Another advantage of this pose for newborns is the stimulation of the tummy. Usually, after feeding in this position, children suffer less from gas and colic.
Pose 7. "Hanging"
Feeding in this position can be useful for both mom and baby. For mom, this is an opportunity to empty the central and lower lobes in the chest. Such feeding is convenient for the baby when it is difficult for him to suck on his own. This may be relevant for weak babies or for those who refuse to take a breast after a bottle, because "Getting" milk from the breast is more difficult.
Feed, hanging from above, can be on the bed and on the table. In the first case, the mother gets on all fours over the baby and gives him a chest. In the second case, the mother can lay the baby on the changing table and bend over it. The baby's head should be slightly turned on its side.
Pose 8. "Riding on Mom"
Looks like a pose “Baby on mom”
Older children are no longer so fond of lying. As soon as the baby has mastered the seat - you can feed him, sitting on top of him on the principle of "stomach to stomach." In this position, it is very convenient to change the chest: no need to roll over, shift the child. This position is especially convenient when feeding during a cold. In an upright position, a nose is less likely to be laid, so it is much easier and more comfortable for a baby to suckle a breast, lying down for weeks.
How to breastfeed?
The volume of the breast does not affect the amount of milk at all, therefore, small breasts can be fed as long and productively as large. The only question is to find comfortable poses and adapt to your own characteristics.
It is difficult to distinguish some special poses for feeding small breasts. You can feed in any position, but somewhere mom will have to bend a little more, or raise the baby a little higher. The most comfortable in this situation is the pose "Lying on the arm."
Lactostasis feeding
With stagnation of milk in the breast, all the efforts of a nursing woman should be aimed at emptying the lobes in which the milk tube formed. At the same time, feeding is not only allowed, but it is also necessary, because no one can cope with the sucking of milk like a child himself.
Feeding postures for lactostasis are selected based on which part of the chest has stagnated. This can be determined by simply feeling the chest: the stagnation site manifests itself as soreness and tightness. Next, you need to follow this rule: the baby sucks most of the milk from the part of the chest into which his chin rests when feeding. Whatever position is chosen, it will be a modification of one of the basic poses that we examined above.
Each mother for the experience of feeding appears beloved and less beloved poses. Since breastfeeding is a process in which two people participate, mothers, together with the babies, choose the most comfortable positions for themselves, adapting them to their characteristics and needs.
Read on the topic of GW:
- Tips for nursing mothers about GV
- How to properly attach the baby to the chest
- Sore breasts while feeding
- Nursing mom's nutrition
Photo Gallery of Feeding Poses
Video: Breastfeeding Positions
Video: Rules for applying to the chest
The most comfortable position for breastfeeding
I have two children 12 years old and a half years old. Unfortunately, breastfeeding both a little more than a month (but that's another story). In the meantime, the helm used the posture of the article: for some reason, the first helm was only on hand (in the position No. 1 - the cradle). We sit down with him and eat. But the second one is completely “not manual,” fed on the bed while lying down (pose No. 4 and No. 5 from the article). To be honest, the pose does not matter, the main thing is that both the mother and the baby are comfortable and it is important not to be nervous when feeding, because the baby feels everything. Moms, breastfeed a little longer, it's just yours and your baby. 🙂
Thank you for the article! In a couple of months I will become a mother, my breasts are small, so the difficulties with the posture in feeding are relevant for me.I always believed that a newborn baby should be breastfed, because breast milk has not been invented analogues. Maybe someone has a similar problem? If so, how did you decide? Thanks in advance for your reply!
After childbirth, doctors were forbidden to sit, so the child was fed only in a lying position. The most comfortable postures for me were from under the arm and on the arm. And then I couldn’t feed while sitting, it didn’t work out.
I breastfeed for the fifth month, the most preferable position is No. 4 “Lying on the arm”, but I learned about the pose “Lying from the upper chest” for the first time, I have to try. During feeding, I also had to deal with lactostasis. Very painful sensations, and so the temperature jumped to 38. Actively massaged the resulting lump, a warm shower, then feeding, expressing until the chest became completely soft. But in general, there is nothing more beautiful than breastfeeding your baby, looking him in the eye and thanking God for this miracle.
Breastfeeding is very important for the baby. This strengthens the immune system and helps to grow a good child. Contact between the mother and the child is simply necessary, and breastfeeding is the best communication with the baby, at this moment the mother transfers all her love and care, such babies grow up calm. And the position when breastfeeding should be the most comfortable to extend this procedure as much as possible.
Thank you so much for pose number 3 !!! she saved me from decanting according to the “grandmother's” method.
the baby in one feeding removed my illness. he finally ate a lot, satisfied.
I already thought that the pose so influences where the milk comes from!