The correct position for breastfeeding is the most important factor for your success. To do this, the mother should be in a correct and comfortable position and the baby should take the breast correctly so that no nipple injury occurs and the baby can drink more milk.
For a correct handgrip, the baby needs to open his mouth wide before he suckles the breast and must pick up the lower part of the halo rather than the top. He should be full of cheeks, chin against his mother's breast and should not produce any sound when suckling, just to be swallowing the milk, as shown in the following image.
If the baby is only picking at the nipple, with the mouth more closed, it has to be repositioned, as besides damaging the mother caused small cracks in the nipple the milk will not leave, leaving the baby irritated. Here's how to treat cracked nipples to continue breastfeeding and also what you need to do to make more milk.
6 best positions to breastfeed
In addition to the traditional breastfeeding position, where the mother is sitting, the baby is lying horizontally and the mother grasping it with her arms, there are other positions such as:
1: Lying sideways on the bed
You should offer the breast that is closest to the mattress and to make you more comfortable, support your head on the arm or a cushion and always check that the baby is breastfeeding well to prevent complications such as nipple cracking. This position is very comfortable for the mother and the baby being useful during the nighttime feedings or when the mother is very tired.
2: Sitting with baby lying on her lap
Put the baby lying on your lap and sit comfortably on a chair or sofa. The correct position is to place the baby's belly against your, while you hold the baby with both arms underneath your little body.
3: Sitting, with the baby in the "horse position"
The baby should be sitting on one of the thighs, facing the breast and the mother can hold it, supporting her back. This position is ideal for babies older than 3 months and already holding their heads tight.
4: Sitting with baby on her side, under her arm
Put the baby lying down, but pass it under one of his arms and give the breast that is closer to the baby's mouth. To stay in this position you need to put a cushion, pillow or a breastfeeding cushion to accommodate the baby. This position is great for relieving tension in the mother's back while breastfeeding.
5: Standing
If you want to breastfeed while you are standing, you can lay the baby on your lap but you should place one of your hands between the baby's legs to support it better.
6: No sling
If the baby is in the baby sling, also known as a sling, you should keep the baby sitting or lying down, depending on where it is already in place, and offer the breast that is closest to his mouth. The weight of the baby will be carried by the sling and you will be able to have a little more free hands, being a good position for when you are in the kitchen or making purchases, for example.
The positions for breastfeeding twins may be the same, however, the mother to use these positions should breastfeed one twin at a time. To breastfeed the twins at the same time, see: 4 simple positions to breastfeed twins at the same time.
Each baby has their breastfeeding rhythm, some suck in 5 minutes satisfactorily, while others may need more time. Ideally, the baby should breastfeed for at least 20 minutes with each feeding. With the growth and development of the baby, the time of the feedings will be less and less.
