The ABCs of breastfeeding positions

Here's how:

• You yourself are in a semi-reclined/semi-sitting position, while your baby is lying with its belly on yours. Then you will observe a fascinating phenomenon, the so-called “Breast Crawl”: During this, your baby finds its position at the breast entirely on its own by pushing off your belly with its feet. Researchers suspect that the amniotic fluid-like smell of the nipple and the temperature difference between your baby's lips and your nipple trigger this primal reflex.

Especially suitable:

• For breastfeeding beginners (especially during the very first latch after birth)

• If you are suffering from birth injuries

• If you want to relieve your pelvic floor

Problematic:

• After a cesarean section, as your baby presses against your scar in this position. To avoid this, you can also place your child on your chest or across your shoulder area.

Here's how:

• You are sitting upright with a (still) pillow on your lap. Your baby is lying on its side on the pillow with its belly against your belly. You support its back with the arm on the side where you want to position it (left breast, left arm/right breast, right arm). Its head rests in your crook of the arm.

Especially suitable:

• This position is considered a classic breastfeeding position and is appreciated by many moms

Problematic:

• After a cesarean section, so your baby can press on the scar

• On the go, because you need padding, for example a nursing pillow,

Here's how:

• The cross grip is a variation of the cradle hold. You sit upright again, your baby lies elevated on a pillow, tummy to tummy with you. Compared to the cradle hold, in this position you support it with your other arm, meaning right breast, left arm or left breast, right arm. The head of your baby rests in the hand of your supporting arm.

Especially suitable:

• If your baby has trouble latching on, because you can better support their head in this position

• For newborns, as their head is better supported with the cross grip than with the cradle grip

Problematic:

• After a cesarean section, so your baby can press on the scar

• On the go, because you need padding, for example a nursing pillow,

Here's how:

• You and your baby lie tummy to tummy on your side. You can comfortably place one hand under your head, while with the other you hold your child. You can further support your baby's back with a nursing pillow or a rolled-up towel.

Especially suitable:

• For the nighttime feeding, so you can doze off again during it

• In case of birth injuries, as this area is not stressed in the lateral position

• After a cesarean section, because your baby does not press on the scar with its weight

Problematic with:

• New mothers, as it is somewhat more difficult for babies in this position to get a proper latch onto the nipple

Here's how:

• You are sitting upright or in a semi-reclined/seated position. Your baby is lying on its back under one of your arms, elevated by a pillow. You hold its head in your hand and can bring it to your breast.

Especially suitable:

• For new breastfeeding mothers, as you can see and guide your baby's mouth well

• After a cesarean section, because your baby does not press on the scar with its weight

• For the simultaneous breastfeeding of twins

• With large breasts, because you can "shape" your breast with the other hand and it doesn't slip to the side so easily.

Problematic:

• On the go, because you need padding, for example a nursing pillow,

Here's how:

• Your baby is sitting facing you on your lap. Its face should then be exactly in front of your chest.

Especially suitable:

• If your baby has a stomach ache or suffers from 3-month colic , as it swallows less air in this position

• If your baby has a stuffy nose, it breathes better sitting upright

• For milk stasis in the lower breast area, where your baby massages this spot with their chin

• During a strong milk ejection reflex, because your baby can't easily choke when seated in the hoppe-reiter position

Problematic:

• In newborns and infants who are not yet able to sit independently

Here's how:

• You are in a hands-and-knees position. Your child is lying on their back underneath you, elevated with pillows and/or blankets so that it comfortably reaches your chest without you having to bend down.

Especially suitable:

• In case of milk stasis, since the milk can follow the natural direction of gravity and you can position your baby so that it presses its jaw against the hardened area

Problematic:

• During everyday breastfeeding – since the four-legged position is not particularly comfortable, women almost exclusively use it for engorgement