FEEDING · BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding Positions

There is no single breastfeeding position that works for every parent and baby. You may find different positions useful at different times, depending on where you are feeding, how your body feels and what helps your baby attach comfortably.

Explore breastfeeding positions

Rugby Hold
Your baby is tucked beside you and under your arm rather than lying across your front. This position can keep their weight away from your tummy and offers a different angle for bringing them to the breast.
Read the full guide Watch the Rugby Hold demonstration
Cradle Hold
Your baby lies across your front, supported by the arm on the same side as the breast you are feeding from. It is a familiar position, although getting comfortable and supporting your baby’s alignment can take practice.
Read the full guide Watch: Cradle Hold
Cross-Cradle Hold
Your baby lies across your body while the opposite arm supports their neck and shoulders. This can give you a different way to guide your baby towards the breast while they attach.
Read the full guide Watch: Cross-Cradle Hold
Laid-Back Breastfeeding
You feed in a supported, reclined position with your baby resting against your body. Some parents find this a more relaxed way to feed and let their baby stay close.
Read the full guide Watch: Laid-Back Breastfeeding
Side-Lying Breastfeeding
You and your baby lie facing each other while feeding. It may be useful when you want to rest, but both positioning and the surrounding sleep space need careful attention.
Read the full guide Watch: Side-Lying Breastfeeding

Watch and learn

Setting up the Rugby Hold
Baby Buddy demonstrates bringing your baby alongside you and supporting the position.
Watch: Cradle Hold
Global Health Media Project demonstrates the cradle hold, beginning at approximately 05:05.
Watch: Cross-Cradle Hold
La Leche League East Cambridgeshire demonstrates the cross-cradle hold.
Watch: Laid-Back Breastfeeding
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust demonstrates laid-back breastfeeding.
Watch: Side-Lying Breastfeeding
La Leche League Great Britain demonstrates side-lying breastfeeding.

Getting comfortable with breastfeeding

Parents’ experience of positioning and attachment
Two mothers describe how skilled help with positioning and attachment supported more comfortable feeding.
What effective attachment can look like
A visual comparison paired with current NHS signs of effective attachment.