Learning to breastfeed involves lots of patience, lots of practice—and a shared goal of finding what works best for you and your baby. It also helps to try all sorts of breastfeeding positions. Here are the eight “best” breastfeeding holds.

Best Classic: The Cradle

When to use it: Anytime! This position allows you to easily check the basic points of initial breastfeeding (e.g. tummy to tummy, flanged lips, and chin to chest).

How to do it: Hold your baby in the crook of your arm across your lap so they’re lying on their side. Place your baby’s mouth at level with your nipple. A breastfeeding pillow can help keep you and your baby comfortable.

Best Just Post-Birth: The Laid-Back

When to use it: When you’re a new-new mom who’s still healing and working with a baby who’s new to finding nipples. It’s also a good position to help slow the milk flow of a forceful letdown.

How to do it: Lie back on a couch, bed, or recliner—and prop a pillow beneath your shoulders and arms for support. Lay your baby against your chest, using one hand to support their bottom and the other hand to hold your breast.

Best for Maximizing Milk Flow: The Cross Cradle

When to use it: When you’re helping baby develop a good latch (lots of nipple control) and/or when you have a clogged duct (massage while nursing).

How to do it: Put your baby across your lap and support their head with one hand. With your other hand, use a “U” hold to hold your breast as your babe latches. A breastfeeding pillow on your lap will offer additional support!

Best for Post-C-Section: The Football Hold

When to use it: When you want to keep babies from kicking your incision spot—or your belly, anytime.

How to do it: Position your babe on their back next to you while you support their head and back with one hand (make sure their legs and feet are under your arm.) You can use your other hand to help your baby latch. This position is also helpful for moms with a forceful letdown because it’s easier for babies to accommodate the milk flow. It’s also a great option for babies with tongue or lip ties.

P.S. Beyond this clutch position, breastfeeding has more in common with football than you might think. Check out these football terms for breastfeeding moms!

Best for Reintroducing the Breast: The Side-Lie

When to use it: If your babe has taken too kindly to the bottle and you want to entice them back to the boob (or anytime you feel like lounging).

How to do it: Lie down with your baby next to you in your bed. Place pillows behind your back or between your knees for additional support. You can hold your baby in place as they nurse or use a pillow (or rolled-up blanket) to help keep them in position.

Best for Fussy/Older Babies: The Koala

When to use it: If your baby suffers from reflux (the upright angle and gravity helps keep things down) or with an older baby who likes to sit against you.

How to do it: Find a comfortable seated position and hold your baby facing you, straddling your thigh or hip. Keep your baby’s head and back upright for easy access to that liquid gold.

Best for Clogged Ducts: The Dangle

When to use it: If you get clogged ducts or mastitis (you avoid pressing baby against your inflamed breast; when you have the desire to do gymnastics (this one is a little tricky and a little fancy!)

How to do it: Place your baby on their back while you crouch and dangle your nipple over their mouth. It helps to add a pillow or blanket under contact points (your baby’s back, your hands, and your knees).

Note: While some moms claim this position helps unclog blocked milk ducts—because gravity!—but there hasn’t been any scientific evidence to support this.

Best for Twins: The Double Clutch

When to use it: When you’re feeding two babies at once (which could result in cuteness overload!)

How to do it: Position your babes on their backs beside you, with each one’s legs and feet under each of your arms. Line each baby up with a breast, and put your arms slightly beneath them to support their heads and backs. It helps to use a nursing pillow designed for tandem feeding so you can keep your hands free.

Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods, Mamava’s lactation space locator app, and other helpful resources.

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