Breastfeeding: the basic positions

Tips for positioning your baby comfortably and correctly for breastfeeding

Newborns are usually breastfed between 8 and 12 times a day. For this reason, you’ll spend several hours a day breastfeeding! Adopting a good breastfeeding position can make these shared moments more enjoyable and relaxed. In this article, we give you a brief overview of the most common positions for breastfeeding your baby.

Popular positions for breastfeeding

Did you know that changing positions is important when breastfeeding? So why not stay in your favorite position? Depending on the breastfeeding position, your baby presses their face against different areas of your breast. By changing positions regularly, you help ensure that all these areas are emptied evenly, which can prevent milk engorgement. This can also help reduce breast tension that may lead to sore nipples. There are several positions you can use to breastfeed.

Semi-reclined position or Biological Nurturing

  • Here's how it happens: You are in a semi-reclined position, while your baby is lying on your abdomen, on their stomach. At birth, you may witness a fascinating phenomenon: the “Breast Crawl”. Your baby will spontaneously crawl toward your breast to suckle on their own, pushing their feet against your belly. Researchers suspect that the scent of the maternal breast, similar to that of amniotic fluid, triggers this reflex.

  • Especially suitable for: Breastfeeding beginners; if you have injuries after childbirth; if you want to relieve your pelvic floor

  • Issue: After a cesarean, because your baby may press on your scar. To avoid this discomfort, you can place your baby on your chest or on your shoulders.

Position of the Madonna

  • Here's how it happens: You are in a semi-reclined position, while your baby is lying on your abdomen, on their stomach. At birth, you may witness a fascinating phenomenon: the “Breast Crawl”. Your baby will spontaneously crawl toward your breast to suckle on their own, pushing their feet against your belly. Researchers suspect that the scent of the maternal breast, similar to that of amniotic fluid, triggers this reflex.

  • Especially suitable for: Breastfeeding beginners; if you have injuries after childbirth; if you want to relieve your pelvic floor

  • Issue: After a cesarean, because your baby may press on your scar. To avoid this discomfort, you can place your baby on your chest or on your shoulders.

Inverted Madonna position

  • Here's how it happens: You are in a semi-reclined position, while your baby is lying on your abdomen, on their stomach. At birth, you may witness a fascinating phenomenon: the “Breast Crawl”. Your baby will spontaneously crawl toward your breast to suckle on their own, pushing their feet against your belly. Researchers suspect that the scent of the maternal breast, similar to that of amniotic fluid, triggers this reflex.

  • Especially suitable for: Breastfeeding beginners; if you have injuries after childbirth; if you want to relieve your pelvic floor

  • Issue: After a cesarean, because your baby may press on your scar. To avoid this discomfort, you can place your baby on your chest or on your shoulders.

Lying on your side

  • Here's how it happens: You are in a semi-reclined position, while your baby is lying on your abdomen, on their stomach. At birth, you may witness a fascinating phenomenon: the “Breast Crawl”. Your baby will spontaneously crawl toward your breast to suckle on their own, pushing their feet against your belly. Researchers suspect that the scent of the maternal breast, similar to that of amniotic fluid, triggers this reflex.

  • Especially suitable for: Breastfeeding beginners; if you have injuries after childbirth; if you want to relieve your pelvic floor

  • Issue: If you are new to breastfeeding, it can be a bit more difficult for babies to latch properly in this position.

Position rugby ball

  • Here's how it happens: You are in a semi-reclined position, while your baby is lying on your abdomen, on their stomach. At birth, you may witness a fascinating phenomenon: the “Breast Crawl”. Your baby will spontaneously crawl toward your breast to suckle on their own, pushing their feet against your belly. Researchers suspect that the scent of the maternal breast, similar to that of amniotic fluid, triggers this reflex.

  • Especially suitable for: Breastfeeding beginners; if you have injuries after childbirth; if you want to relieve your pelvic floor

  • Issue: Outdoors, this position often requires the help of a cushion.

Koala position

  • Here's how it happens: You are in a semi-reclined position, while your baby is lying on your abdomen, on their stomach. At birth, you may witness a fascinating phenomenon: the “Breast Crawl”. Your baby will spontaneously crawl toward your breast to suckle on their own, pushing their feet against your belly. Researchers suspect that the scent of the maternal breast, similar to that of amniotic fluid, triggers this reflex.

  • Especially suitable for: Breastfeeding beginners; if you have injuries after childbirth; if you want to relieve your pelvic floor

  • Issue: For newborns and babies who cannot sit up on their own yet.

Position of the she-wolf

  • Here's how it happens: You are in a semi-reclined position, while your baby is lying on your abdomen, on their stomach. At birth, you may witness a fascinating phenomenon: the “Breast Crawl”. Your baby will spontaneously crawl toward your breast to suckle on their own, pushing their feet against your belly. Researchers suspect that the scent of the maternal breast, similar to that of amniotic fluid, triggers this reflex.

  • Especially suitable for: Breastfeeding beginners; if you have injuries after childbirth; if you want to relieve your pelvic floor

  • Issue: Since this position isn’t very comfortable for everyday use, women typically use it only during milk engorgement.

If you have questions about breastfeeding, it’s always recommended to contact your midwife or a lactation consultant, who can offer helpful advice. Don’t worry if breastfeeding doesn’t work right away—it can take time to learn what works best for you. We hope this illustrated article has given you a few useful ideas.

You’ll quickly find the positions that suit you and your baby best. Don’t hesitate to get creative—after all, the most important thing is that both of you feel relaxed and comfortable! We wish you many happy breastfeeding moments.