Dr. Ari Brown discusses various breast feeding positions with Lactation Consultant Linda Hill.
There are 4 common positions. The "cradle" which is the most common and is fairly comfortable for older babies. The "cross-cradle" is more for newborns and allows the mother to give more head support before moving into a cradle position. The Dad's favorite named position, "football," is useful for Moms who've had C-sections or maybe twins and allows for more space in front while the baby is tucked over to the side. The last position is the "side lying" position which allows for greater comfort for both Mom and baby lying down on a bed.

Dads can help new Moms with gentle suggestions on positions, particularly if one position seems to be causing some discomfort or troubles with feeding.

Episode #840 is brought to you by BabyBjorn.

Daddy Brad:  Come right back for more on positions and sore nipples.
Daddy Clay:  Breast feeding, today in the Lab. [music]
Clay:  Today's episode is brought to you by BabyBjorn, in the design of all their products, "Safety Comes First," BabyBjorn. To get the 411 on the four basic positions of breast feeding, we hear from our favorite pediatrician and author, Dr. Ari Brown.
Dr. Ari Brown:  I am Dr. Ari Brown with the 411 on breast feeding positions. Today, I have my favorite Lactation Consultant from Capital Pediatrics in Austin, Texas, Linda Hill who's going to show us the four common breast feeding positions. Linda, show me how to breast feed a baby. OK. With clothing on, thank you. [laughter]
Linda Hill:  What this four main positions that you mentioned? This is an older, probably this starts about two months old. Moms with a two month old would do what's called the Cradle Position, which is basically, that they're cradling the baby in the arms. The baby's head is in the crook of their elbow and they just latch the baby on and hold the baby. It's great. Not the best position to use for the new born because that's where moms are tweaking the positions and might get sore nipples. We want moms to have more control, here, very little control and the baby's head and neck in this position. So, with newborns, Lactation Consultants usually recommend that the babies do Cross‑cradle, that the moms start with cross cradle. That's using the opposite hand to breast. So, if I was going to feed the baby on the left breast, I would support the neck and shoulders with my right hand and then basically, you're supporting the breast and bringing the baby in. Once it's comfortable, you can cross and end up in cradle. So, with newborns, it's cross‑cradle to cradle. OK?
Then, another good one is Football. A lot of moms who've had a C‑section use Football or moms with multi twins or triplets would use Football to allow for more space. Basically, there's many variations to this. Basically, you're using the same hand to same breast and the trick is to bring the baby far enough back. Many moms don't bring the babies far enough back and so they end up bending the baby's neck to the breast. Babies don't like that and so, they kick and squirm.
The trick to this position is, bring the baby far enough back, so baby doesn't have to put their chin on the chest to feed. We'll want some space here between chin and chest, so that the milk will go down easier. Depending on her chair, the baby can be positioned like this or even back like this. It's a very comfortable position especially if you have two. Then, there's one more position that is...
Ari:  For very tired moms.
Linda:  That's right, Side Lying Position. It's great, it's very relaxing for both. Basically, you would both lay on your side. You position the baby to where your breast is going to hit her on the bridge of her nose. Basically, she's coming up under the breast, she is going to feel it and look up and latch all by herself. While this hand of mom is up by the pillows, this hand is just supporting her lower back and just holding her snug. Baby does all the work. So, if you position right, she feels it and looks up and latches all by herself. Mom and baby go back to sleep.
Ari:  That's great. So, we've got Cradle, Cross‑cradle, great for newborns, Football hold, which is particularly for C‑section and multiples, and Side Lying, for really tired and exhausted parents. Great. Thanks Linda.
Linda:  You're welcome.
Clay:  Daddy Brad, do you think you could ever give suggestions about positions to you wife?
Brad:  Yeah, I think so, if you need to help her in the process because sometimes it's not easy. She may get frustrated and she needs more coaching. If you know all the things there is to know about breast feeding, you can be that coach.
Clay:  Gentle suggestions, it will be helpful from a dad. Thanks for joining us. That's all from us today here on the Lab.