Fort Worth, Texas,
02
August
2018
|
10:33 AM
America/Chicago

How Should I Hold My Baby While Breastfeeding?

A lactation Consultant Has The Answer

There are many different positions that work well with breastfeeding. Some women like to use pillows to prop the baby up and take some of the weight off of their arms, however others feel like the pillows make the job too cumbersome.

Cradle and cross-cradle, football, side-lying, and laid-back nursing tend to be the favorites—while an older baby, especially those who nurse into toddlerhood, tend to take an unorthodox approach that looks more like gymnastics rather than feeding.

No matter the position, the goal is to get a deep latch for effective emptying of your breasts. Make sure to align the baby so that they’re entire body is rolled into yours, belly to belly, and not twisted. A good trick is to check that the baby’s ear, shoulder and hip are all in line.

It is best to work through different positions until you find something that is comfortable to you. Different babies, moms, stages, and even some diagnoses may indicate a different position, so don’t hesitate to try something new!

Get to know Holly Erwin, Cook Children's Virtual Lactation Consultant

Holly Erwin, LVN, IBCLC, is a mom of three boys and has worked as a pediatric nurse for over 11 years within the Cook Children's Health Care System. When not working, she spends her time running to and from sports for her boys, being outside with her family and dreaming of traveling with her husband of 10 years. For now, she settles for their bi-annual date-night!

Through her own children and the thousands of moms that she has helped over the years, Holly found a special interest in infants and breastfeeding. In 2015, she became internationally board certified as a lactation consultant and now works as an IBCLC virtually through the Cook Children's telemedicine department. Schedule an appointment with our virtual lactation consultant.

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