Breastfeeding Positions


When breastfeeding your infant, it is important that you are comfortable in the position you choose to feed your child.

There are four common positions used to hold an infant when breastfeeding.

The four positions are:
  1. Cradle position
  2. Cross-cradle position
  3. Football position
  4. Side lying position


1. Cradle Position
  • Sit in a comfortable chair with support for your arms and back.
  • Ensure your back is kept straight.
  • Lift and support your breast in a cupped C shape.
  • Place your infant across your stomach. You and your infant should be "tummy to tummy".
  • The bend of your elbow is where the infant's head should be with the infant's mouth directly in front of your nipple.
  • When the infant opens his/her mouth, pull him/her onto your breast.
  • Ensure the infant's nose, cheeks and chin are touching your breast.
2. Cross-cradle position
  • Sit in a comfortable chair with support for your arms and back.
  • Ensure your back is kept straight.
  • Hold the infant across your body in the arm opposite to the breast from which you will be feeding him/her.
  • The position is similar to the cradle position but differs as you will use the other arm to hold the infant.
  • The infant's body should be at the same level of your breast.
  • Ensure the infant's tummy is skin-to-skin with your body.
  • When the infant opens his/her mouth, pull him/her onto your breast.
  • Ensure the infant's nose, cheeks and chin are touching your breast.
3. Football position
  • With this position, the infant is cradled under your arm.
  • Place pillows, as needed, to support your elbow and the infant's bottom.
  • The infant's head should be placed in the palm of your hand.
  • The infant should be brought up to the level of your breast.
  • The infant's head should be supported between your thumb and forefinger.
  • Ensure the infant's tummy is skin-to-skin with your body.
  • When the infant opens his/her mouth, pull him/her onto your breast.
  • Ensure the infant's nose, cheeks and chin are touching your breast.
4. Side lying position
  • Lie on your side.
  • Place pillows, as needed, to support your head and back.
  • Lay the infant next to you on the bed with a rolled blanket behind the infant's back.
  • Ensure the infant's mouth is opposite your nipple.
  • When the infant opens his/her mouth, pull him/her onto your breast.
  • Ensure the infant's nose, cheeks and chin are touching your breast.