Choose what feels most comfortable for you.  The role of the mother is to calm the baby. Hold your baby skin to skin, baby lying on its tummy on mothers chest. When the baby shows interest in eating, bobbing its head, rooting and searching for fingers or breast then it is time to eat.  Let the baby lead.  Some babies need more help than others. 

Laid Back or Biological Nursing 

  • Lay back on a couch or bed where you can be well supported, not totally flat, but comfortably back so you can still see your baby
  • Hold your baby skin-to-skin, with your baby lying on their tummy, cover yourselves with sheets or blankets if cold
  • Let the baby’s cheek rest close to your breast
  • Be patient, the baby will move and work her way to the breast. Help her as much as you like

Videos

Biological Nurturing Laid Back Nursing 

Baby Led Latching

 Traditional Positioning 

  • Sit or lie comfortably Make sure your baby is turned toward you or even lying on your chest – tummy to mommy
  • Support your baby under the back of neck and between shoulders so head is tilted back, try to have support under the baby’s bottom so the baby is tucked closely into your body
  • Bring the baby in close to the breast with your nipple pointing up to the baby’s upper lip, baby’s head remains tilted back
  • Do not force the baby onto the breast. If fussy, calm baby by holding upright and then try again

Videos

A Video on Latching your Baby: by Healthy Families BC 

How to breastfeed: Breastfeeding positions: Raising Children Network

Global Health Media Project Breastfeeding Series Nursing Positions

Assisted latching from Dr. Jack Newman 

Baby Led, mother assisted latching

 

Reviewed 
February 2020 - KS