Breastfeeding positions

A good breastfeeding position helps breastfeeding go smoothly, for it not to be painful, and ensures your baby gets enough milk.

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A good breastfeeding position for you

Swipe here for ideas to help you find a breastfeeding position that works for you, understand why positioning matters, and explore positions that suit different situations.

Why is positioning important?

When you breastfeed in a good position, your baby usually latches and feeds more effectively and can take the milk it needs more easily. A good position also reduces the risk of sore nipples and helps you avoid tension in your neck and back. If you need support in finding a comfortable and effective feeding position, speak with the staff during your postnatal stay in hospital or with your health visitor once you are home.

What makes a good breastfeeding position?

A breastfeeding position works well when you can relax, feeding doesn’t hurt, and your baby latches and feeds effectively. Try different positions and notice which one feels natural and well-supported for you. There is no single “best” breastfeeding position. The right position is the one that suits both you and your baby. Key points include:

  • Your baby should be held close, tummy-to-tummy with you.
  • You should feel supported and able to relax.
  • Feeding should feel comfortable and free from pain.

If your baby finds it difficult to latch or your nipples hurt, another position may help. Sometimes moving your baby just a few centimetres can improve the latch. For example, gently guiding your baby a little lower so the neck is slightly extended can help the nose stay clear of the breast and support effective feeding.

Sore nipples can be common in the early days after birth, but breastfeeding should not cause pain. If you experience pain while feeding or notice cracks or nipple damage, your feeding position may need adjusting. Try a different position, or speak with the staff on the postnatal ward or your health visitor for support.


The laid-back breastfeeding position

In this position, you lean back in a semi-reclined way with good support behind you, while your baby lies close to you, tummy-to-tummy. Many women find the laid-back position helpful in the early days after birth, although others prefer different ways of feeding. Studies show that this position may reduce nipple soreness, and it can feel restful when your back and neck are properly supported.

Women breastfeeding child in laid-back breastfeeding position using a nursing pillow as support behind the neck.

 

The cross-cradle position

In the cross-cradle hold, your baby lies across your front, similar to the usual cradle hold. The difference is that your baby’s head is supported in your hand rather than resting on your arm. This position gives you more control of your baby’s head and neck and can be helpful if your baby needs a little extra support to latch effectively.

Side-lying breastfeeding position

In the side-lying position, you and your baby lie on your sides, tummy-to-tummy, while you support your baby’s back with your upper hand. It’s easy for you to relax in this position, and many enjoy breastfeeding lying down during nighttime feeds. This position can also help create a calmer feeding environment if your baby is going through a phase of being easily distracted.

 

The twin hold (rugby hold on both sides)

In the twin position, your baby is supported under your arm with the body and legs positioned along your side, while you support the baby’s head in your hand. This position works well for feeding twins at the same time, one on each breast. It can also be an option if you have a smaller or premature baby who needs more support for the head and neck, if you’ve had a Cesarean section, or if you need to drain milk from the outer part of your breast.

Cradle hold

The cradle hold is the position most parents know. In this position, you sit upright with good support while your baby lies across your lap, resting the head on your arm. To help your baby latch comfortably, keep your baby facing you, tummy-to-tummy, so the head and neck do not need to twist to reach the breast.

Not everyone finds a nursing pillow helpful. Many expectant parents buy one before birth, but never use it, while others are very fond of their breastfeeding pillow and hardly ever breastfeed without it. If you are feeding twins, you may find a nursing pillow particularly useful. A pillow can help support your arm, back, or even your feet while you breastfeed. Just make sure it doesn’t prevent your baby from being held close to your body. Some parents prefer to use ordinary pillows instead, and that can work just as well.

Good breastfeeding positions for larger breasts

Large, heavy breasts can sometimes make breastfeeding more difficult, because it may be harder for a newborn baby to latch on well and keep a good hold on the breast. Swipe for helpful advice on breastfeeding with large breasts.

Common breastfeeding challenges with large breasts

Here are some breastfeeding challenges that are common if you have large breasts:

  • Your baby may find it difficult to latch on to a large, heavy, soft breast.
  • You may find it difficult to see your nipple, which can make it harder to position your baby at the breast.
  • The breast may slip out of your baby’s mouth because it is heavy.
  • For some women with large breasts, feeling self-conscious or shy can make breastfeeding more difficult.

If you cannot breastfeed in private, it may help to cover the breast with a scarf, muslin cloth or loose top that can easily be pulled down over the breast.

Women with large breasts do not produce more milk than women with small breasts. Breast size is not related to how much milk you can produce. Both small and large breasts can produce exactly the amount of milk your baby needs.

Which breastfeeding positions are best if you have large breasts?

There are several breastfeeding positions that can work well if you have large breasts. A good breastfeeding position is one where you can relax and your baby can latch on well. It may take time and practice, but gradually you will find the positions that work best for you and your baby.

If you have large breasts, it is helpful to find a position that reduces the weight of the breast, so your baby can keep a good hold. It can also be helpful to vary the position a little, so milk is removed from the breast as well as possible.

Here are some breastfeeding positions that women with large breasts often find helpful:

  • Side-lying position — in this position, the breast may not feel quite as heavy because it rests against the mattress. Try using a good pillow to raise your upper body slightly, so there is more room for your breasts. Some women also find it helpful to breastfeed from the “upper” breast.
  • Laid-back breastfeeding position — this position supports your baby’s natural sucking reflex and ability to latch on well and create a vacuum. The weight of the breast is reduced, and gravity helps bring your baby close to the breast. However, try not to lean too far back, as the breasts may fall out to the sides, making it harder for your baby to keep hold of the breast.
  • Rugby hold / twin position — in this position, you can help your baby keep hold of the breast, for example by using the C-hold, so your baby’s nose stays free. You may find it useful to support the arm your baby is lying on with pillows. You can also place a rolled-up muslin cloth under the breast to lift it slightly.

C-hold

Is it difficult to see your nipple?

If your breast is large, the nipple may point inwards towards your body. This can make it difficult to see the nipple and position your baby so they can latch on well.

Try this:

  • Use the C-hold to make the nipple point slightly upwards. This can help you see where to position your baby, help your baby latch on better and keep their nose free from the breast.
  • You may also find it helpful to ask your partner or someone else to hold a mirror in front of you, so you can guide your baby to the right place.

Heavy breasts — how to support them

If you have heavy breasts, the breast may rest against your tummy or lap, which can make it difficult to position your baby. The breast may also tend to slip out of your baby’s mouth because of its weight.

Try to:

  • Place a rolled-up towel or muslin cloth under the breast to lift it slightly, so your baby does not have to work so hard to keep the breast in their mouth. It can be helpful to support each other in the beginning, until you get the hang of it. You can also practise this during pregnancy.
  • Support the breast with your free hand. This can help your baby stay on the breast and avoid slipping off the nipple.Use a rolled-up towel to lift your breast

Or use a scarf as a sling to lift the breast

Can nipples be too large for breastfeeding?

No. The size of the nipple rarely affects breastfeeding, although in a few cases it may cause some challenges.

If your baby has a small mouth, it may be difficult at first for them to take enough of the nipple and breast into their mouth. This can mean that your baby latches on too shallowly, which may make your nipples sore.

What you can do:

  • Remember that your baby’s mouth grows quickly. After just a few weeks, breastfeeding may become easier because your baby can latch on better.
  • In the meantime, you can keep your milk supply going by expressing breast milk.
  • Talk to your midwife during pregnancy or to your health visitor at the first visit if you are worried that large nipples may cause problems with breastfeeding.

Expressing breast milk

Helpful things to do

  • Try different breastfeeding positions until you find one where both you and your baby are comfortable and your baby can latch on well.
  • Support the breast with your hand so the nipple points slightly upwards and your baby’s nose stays free.
  • Use pillows, towels or a muslin cloth to lift heavy breasts during breastfeeding, if needed.
  • Help each other, and use a mirror if it is difficult for you to see the nipple yourself.
  • Ask the staff at the maternity unit or your health visitor for advice if it is difficult to find a good breastfeeding position, if your baby has difficulty staying on the breast, or if breastfeeding hurts.

Watch videos on breastfeeding positions

Good to do

  • Try different breastfeeding positions and notice which ones feel most comfortable and effective for you.
  • Check whether you can relax, whether feeding feels comfortable, and whether your baby can latch effectively.
  • Use pillows to support your body so you can stay comfortable and relaxed while feeding.
  • Try changing positions if breastfeeding causes pain or your baby has difficulty latching. The laid-back position may help in these situations.

Who can you contact?

If you experience challenges with breastfeeding – big or small – do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Swipe to see whom you can contact and when.

Who can you contact at the maternity ward?

You can contact the maternity-ward staff both during pregnancy and after birth.

Before birth, your midwife is the person to speak with about the early time with your baby and your thoughts about feeding – whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. If you have had previous breastfeeding problems, you can create a plan together.

Most maternity wards also offer antenatal classes, and your midwife can inform you about these.

After giving birth, you can receive help with breastfeeding from staff on the delivery or maternity ward while you are admitted.

All parents can also contact a breastfeeding hotline at their maternity ward within the first week after birth if they need help or guidance.

You can contact your municipal health-visitor service

The health-visitor service is available to all pregnant and new parents in Denmark. After birth, you will be offered free home visits with support and guidance to help you get a good start with your baby. Depending on your municipality and your stage in the process, different services and contact options may be available.

Some municipalities offer prenatal visits from a health visitor, where you can discuss breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and preparing for life as a new family. Check your municipality’s website to see whether this is available where you live.

If you have special needs, you can contact the service to ask whether prenatal visits are offered to you.

Your health visitor will contact you and offer the first home visit. You can always call your municipal health visitor service for advice or guidance.

You can contact your GP if needed

Always speak with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and need medical treatment. In most cases, there is a medication that is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Contact the on-call doctor or call 112 in an emergency

For sudden illness or worsening symptoms that cannot wait until your GP is available, or for minor injuries, you can contact the on-call doctor – or call 1813 if you live in the Capital Region.

In emergencies, if something is life-threatening or dangerous, call 112.

Contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors

You can also contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors if you need advice or support.There are two organisations in Denmark that offer this help: Forældre & Fødsel and Ammenet.The volunteers are mothers with breastfeeding experience, and both organisations follow the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority.

Get help from Forældre og Fødsel

Get help from Ammenet

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