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
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