Below are common breastfeeding holds, find the one that works best for you and your baby. For the laid back position, lie back in a chair or on a bed. Use pillows to raise and support your head, neck, and back. Lay the baby tummy to tummy with you. Support your baby with one or both hands. With the cradle hold, your baby's head and neck are supported in the crook of your arm. Use a pillow to raise your baby to breast height, and support the baby's back and bottom. With the cross cradle hold, your baby's head and neck are supported by one hand. Use a pillow to raise your baby to breast height, and support the baby's back and bottom. The football hold is useful if you're recovering from a ceasarean or have twins. Put a pillow at your side and lay your baby on it, hold the baby's head in the palm of your hand and tuck the baby's legs between your arm and body. The side lying hold is also useful after a ceasarean. Stretch out on your side with pillows to support your head, neck, and back. Lay the baby tummy to tummy with you and support the baby's head and neck with your hand. Put a rolled up towel behind the baby's back to stop the baby from rolling off the bed.
Breast milk is nature's way of making sure your baby receives the maximum nutrition possible. When a mom needs to be away from her baby, or for other reasons, it's a good idea to know how to hand express milk. This segment will address the importance of hand expression when breastfeeding an infant and the benefits to mother and baby, as well as the specific techniques involved.
