Correct Position for Breastfeeding | Pain-Free Latch

If breastfeeding feels pinchy, your nipples look creased after a feed, or your baby keeps popping on and off, position is often the first fix. A good latch isn’t luck. It’s body setup. When your baby is stable and close, they can open wide, come in chin-first, and stay on with steady swallows.

What “Good Position” Looks Like In One Check

Do this quick check before you latch. If a piece feels off, adjust first, then try again.

• Baby is belly-to-belly: chest facing your chest, not twisted.
• Ear, shoulder, hip in one line: a straight body helps swallowing.
• Nose near nipple: your baby tips their head back to open wide.
• Chin leads: chin touches breast first, then the mouth seals.
• You feel steady: back supported, shoulders loose, feet planted or propped.

Fast Position Picks By Situation

Position	Good Fit For	One Cue
Laid-back	Fast flow, fussy latch, you want a relaxed feed	Reclined, baby tummy-down on you
Cross-cradle	Early days, small baby, you want fine head control	Hand holds shoulders, not head
Cradle	Latch is steady, you want an easy everyday hold	Baby stays close, no leaning
Football	C-section, twins, larger breasts, sore nipples	Baby tucked at your side
Side-lying	Night feeds, sore arms, you need to rest	Stay awake, roll baby onto back after
Upright	Reflux, nasal stuffiness, older baby	Baby sits tall, chin still leads
Dangle (short use)	One clogged area that won’t drain	Use briefly, keep your neck comfy

Correct Position for Breastfeeding With A Deep Latch

Your goal is a deep mouthful of breast tissue, not a nipple-only latch. With a deep latch, the nipple sits farther back in your baby’s mouth and rubbing drops a lot.

Set Yourself Up First

If you start hunched, you’ll pull your baby in at the last second. That tug often turns a wide-open mouth into a shallow latch.

• Sit back with your spine supported.
• Stack pillows so baby comes to breast height.
• Keep shoulders down and elbows heavy.
• Prop your feet if that helps your hips relax.

Line Baby Up Before The Latch

Hold your baby close enough that their chest touches yours. Their head should be free to tip back. Try not to press on the back of the head; many babies push away when they feel that pressure.

Aim your nipple toward your baby’s upper lip or nose. Wait for a big yawn-like mouth, then bring baby in fast and close so the chin lands first.

Signs The Latch Is Working

You should feel tugging, not sharp pain. Cheeks look rounded, not sucked in. After the first minute, you’ll often hear quiet swallows. Nipples usually come out round, not flattened.

If you want a clear reference list, the NHS breastfeeding positioning and attachment page shows latch signs you can compare against.

Five Positions That Cover Most Feeds

Rotate holds based on time of day and what your body needs. Switching positions is normal. Aim for comfort and a stable latch, not a “perfect” pose.

Laid-back Position

Laid-back nursing uses gravity to help your baby stay close. It can also slow a fast letdown since milk flows “uphill” a bit.

1. Recline 30–45 degrees with pillows behind your back.
2. Place baby tummy-down on your chest, head near the breast.
3. Guide the hips and shoulders so baby stays centered.
4. Wait for a wide mouth, then draw baby in by the shoulders.

Cross-cradle Hold

This hold gives control while you’re learning. It’s also helpful for a small newborn who needs steady guidance.

1. If baby feeds on your left breast, hold baby with your right arm.
2. Support shoulders and neck with your hand; keep the head free.
3. Bring baby in quickly once the mouth opens wide.

Cradle Hold

Cradle works best after the latch is steady. If the latch slips, switch back to cross-cradle for a minute, then relax again.

1. Rest baby’s head in the crook of your arm on the nursing side.
2. Keep baby’s whole body turned toward you, knees tucked in.
3. Pull baby close by the shoulders and hips, not by the head.

Football Hold

Football hold keeps baby off a tender belly and gives you a clear view of the latch.

1. Tuck baby along your side with feet pointing behind you.
2. Support baby’s shoulders with your hand; back rests on your forearm.
3. Use pillows to lift baby so your wrist isn’t doing the work.
4. Bring baby in chin-first once the mouth opens wide.

Side-lying Position

Side-lying can save your arms on long nights. Set it up so baby stays close and your hands can do small tweaks.

1. Lie on your side with your back supported and a pillow under your head.
2. Bring baby onto their side facing you, nose at nipple level.
3. Guide baby’s shoulders in close, then latch.
4. After the feed, roll baby onto their back before you rest.

Stay awake during the feed. If you feel sleepy, move to a seated setup.

Upright Hold

Upright feeding can feel easier when your baby spits up often or seems stuffy. Your baby stays more vertical, and you can see their face the whole time.

1. Sit up with your back supported and one knee slightly raised.
2. Let baby straddle your thigh, chest against you.
3. Hold baby at the shoulders and upper back so the head can tip back.
4. Bring baby to the breast with the chin leading, then keep their spine tall.

Common Snags And Quick Fixes During A Feed

Mid-feed fixes are often small. A few millimeters of chin angle or a pillow shift can change how it feels. If pain stays sharp after the first minute, break the latch with a clean finger and try again.

The CDC newborn breastfeeding basics page lists signs of a good latch and signs that the latch is off, which helps you decide when to reset.

Correct Position for Breastfeeding When Latch Hurts

If you’ve reset the latch a few times and it still hurts, look for patterns. Does pain happen on one side only? Does baby clamp down as milk starts flowing? Those clues can point to a hold that fits better.

Also check your own posture. Many people start upright, then drift forward without noticing. If your shoulders creep up, pause, sit back, and bring baby in close again.

After A C-section Or With Belly Tenderness

Football hold keeps baby’s weight off your incision area. Side-lying can also work once rolling feels okay. Add a small pillow as a buffer if you need space.

With A Very Full Breast

When the breast is firm, it’s harder for a small mouth to latch deeply. Express a small amount by hand to soften the area around the nipple, then try again with a close, chin-first latch.

With A Sleepy Newborn

Try skin-to-skin for a few minutes, then latch in cross-cradle so you can guide the shoulders in close. Gentle back rubs can help baby stay engaged.

With Reflux Or Frequent Spit-up

Try a more upright hold or a mild recline. Keep baby’s body long and straight. Pause for burps when swallows slow down.

When Nipples Are Flat Or Inverted

Many babies latch well once the breast is shaped and the mouth opens wide. Cross-cradle plus a breast “sandwich” can help. If milk transfer seems low or pain stays high, a hands-on feeding assessment with a lactation clinician can help.

Troubleshooting By Symptom

What You Notice	Likely Setup Issue	Try This
Pinching or burning pain that stays	Shallow latch, chin not anchored	Recline a bit, bring baby closer, aim nipple to nose, wait for wide mouth
Nipple looks creased	Baby slid down during latch	Reset latch, lift baby’s shoulders toward you, keep body straight
Clicking sounds	Seal breaks	Use cross-cradle, support shoulders, keep baby close
Baby keeps popping off	Too much distance, fast flow, or stuffy nose	Try laid-back, clear the nose, keep baby chest pressed to you
Milk leaking from corners	Mouth not open wide enough	Tickle upper lip with nipple, wait for yawn, bring baby in quickly
Gagging early	Fast letdown	Start laid-back, catch first spray in a cloth, then latch again
One breast drains poorly	Chin points away from the full area	Rotate holds so the chin points toward the firmer spot
Neck or shoulder ache for you	You’re leaning toward baby	Bring baby to you with pillows, sit back, loosen your grip

Small Moves That Change The Feel Fast

When you’re mid-feed, big changes can frustrate a hungry baby. Try small moves first. Slide baby’s hips closer so their bottom tucks in. Lift baby’s shoulders toward you so the chin presses in. Then tip your own body back a touch, which often deepens the latch without any pulling. If you need to swap sides, break the latch with a finger, switch, then rebuild the same close, aligned setup before you latch again right away.

A Simple Two-Minute Reset Routine

When a feed starts rough, this reset keeps you from pushing through pain.

1. Pause and breathe out slowly. Drop your shoulders.
2. Rebuild your seat: back supported, feet braced, pillows stacked.
3. Bring baby chest-to-chest and line up ear, shoulder, hip.
4. Aim nipple to nose, wait for the wide mouth, then bring baby in fast and close.
5. Listen for swallows, then soften your hands once latch holds.

When you keep the correct position for breastfeeding, most latch problems get easier to spot and fix. After a week or two of practice, many parents notice feeds feel smoother and their baby stays on longer.