The ideal positions for breastfeeding

Changing postures helps with breast discharge.

Changing postures throughout the day will assist in draining all quadrants of your breasts and preventing blockage or inadequate drainage. During the feeding, the area of your chest where your baby's chin is pointed receives the most pull and waste. Spinning your baby into a different position at each meal is recommended, especially during the first week or two while you and your darling are learning to breastfeed and building confidence in your technique.

 Whatever position you choose for feeding, your baby must always be facing your body—the baby's legs, tummy, and chest should all touch your body. Baby's arms should be stretched wide around your breast. Use multiple pillows to support your baby, arms, and back. Footstools are useful for relieving back strain and muscle tightness. Some mothers prefer to utilise a breastfeeding cushion, which can be used with a single infant or multiples. Family members and friends can help adjust the pads for assistance during feedings. Take care to take advantage of any available assistance. Keep a large jug of fresh water available as well.. As a result, you normally have something to drink when you're out.As a result, you normally have something to drink when breastfeeding.

Here are some suggested positions. You and your child will eventually find your ideal positions. Learn the cross-cradle, cradle, and football positions first; these positions give you the most control over your breast as well as the baby's head—the key to proper posture.

The Football Hold:

Because the baby is positioned away from your incision, this is a suitable position to utilise immediately following a caesarean section delivery.

1. Sit up, using pillows and a footstool if necessary.
2. Babe is sitting on a pillow by your side.
3. Because the baby's body is turned towards you, his or her knees, tummy, and chest are facing you.
4. Baby's arms are wrapped tightly around your breast.
5. When nursing the right breast, you can shape your nipple and areola into a sandwich for baby to know by holding your chest in a "C" hold with your left hand.
6. The right hand is around your baby's neck, supporting the base of his or her head, and your left arm is supporting his or her back, keeping the baby close to you.
7. To nurse the left breast, reverse your hands.

The Modified Football Hold:

1. Sit up, if necessary supported by pillows and a footstool.
2. Baby is lying on a cushion in your direction.
3. Baby's body is facing you and wrapped around yours.
4. Baby's knees, tummy, and chest should be facing your body.
5. Baby's arms are wrapped tightly around your breast.
6. Hand supports for your breast and your baby's head are similar to those used in football; reverse for the opposite breast.

The Cross-Cradle Hold:

This posture is excellent in the early stages of nursing since it supports your breast as well as the baby's head and torso.

It has also been demonstrated to be effective for preterm newborns who require additional support and head control.

1. Sit up, if preferred, supported by cushions and a footstool.
2. Babe is propped up on pillows across the front of your body.
3. The baby's knees, tummy, and chest are all facing you.
4. Baby's arms are wrapped tightly around your breast.
5. The baby's eyes are fixed on your face (and shoulder).
6. When feeding the right breast, you can shape your breast and areola into a sandwich for baby to grip by holding the breast in your right hand in a "U" hold.
7. Your left hand should go around the baby's neck, supporting the base of his/her head, while your right arm should support his/her back, keeping the baby's body close to you.
8. To breastfeed the left breast, reverse your hands.

The Cradle Hold:

This position is optional when you and the baby have successfully latched and the baby requires little guidance from you.

1. If necessary, use sit-up support cushions and a footstool.
2. Baby is supported on pillows across the front of your body. The baby's knees, tummy, and chest are all facing you.
3. The baby's arms are spread out over your breast.
4. The baby's eyes are fixed on your face (and shoulder).
5. When feeding the right breast, shape the breast and areola into a sandwich for baby to grab with your left hand in a "U" hold.
7. Your right forearm holds Baby's head, while your hand holds Baby's bottom. You will guide your baby onto your breast using your forearm (putting baby's head in the "crook" of your arm sometimes places baby's mouth far to the side and at the improper angle to latch onto your breast).
8. To nurse the left breast, reverse your hands.

Traditional Side-Lying:

Lie on your side with your knees bent and cushions between your knees, behind your back, and under your head (body pillows are great support).

1. Baby lies on his or her side, with his or her tummy, knees, and chest facing your body, lower arm tucked under your breast, and top arm on top of your breast.
2. The baby's face is turned toward your breast, and his/her mouth is close to your nipple.
3. The baby's body is horizontal to yours, with his or her feet pointing towards the bottom of the bed.
4. If the baby's mouth is beneath your nipple, tuck a closed towel or baby blanket behind the baby's head to raise the baby's mouth to your tit.
5. To keep your baby from rolling onto his or her back, position a tightly coiled towel or blanket behind him or her.
7. When feeding the right breast, shape your breast and areola into a sandwich for baby to grab with your left hand in a "C" hold.
8. The right arm will trace a circle around your baby's body on the bed, guiding the baby to your breast.
9. Turn onto your left side and reverse the nursing positions for the left breast.

Upside Down Side-Lying:

Follow the instructions for typical side lying, but raise your lower arm and place it over your head with your pillow.

1. Baby is lying on his or her side, with his or her tummy, knees, and chest facing your body, his or her lower arm tucked beneath your breast, and his or her top arm on top of your breast.
2. Baby's lips is level with your tit and is looking at your breast.
3. Babe's body is horizontal to yours, with his or her feet pointing to the highest point on your bed.
4. Place a folded towel or baby blanket beneath your baby's head if his or her mouth is below your tit.
5. To keep your baby from rolling onto his or her back, place a tightly coiled towel or baby blanket behind him or her.
7. When nursing the right breast, use your left hand to shape the breast and areola into a sandwich for your baby to recognise while your lower arm is up and beneath your pillow.
8. If your abdomen is uncomfortable and bloated after a caesarean delivery, this is a good posture to empty the top quadrants of your breast.
9. You might wish to help your infant get into this position and stay closed throughout the feeding.
10. To nurse the left breast, roll onto your left side and reverse your hands.

Prone Position:

This position will be beneficial if you believe your milk flow is too rapid or too powerful for your infant. Gravity causes the stream to slow down.

1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and support your head with pillows.
2. Baby is lying on your stomach, looking down at your breast with arms spread wide around your breast.
3. Another option is to place your baby on his or her tummy, lying on pillows at your side, with his or her face looking down at your breast and his or her arms extended wide around your breast.