To breastfeed baby, several positions are possible. It's up to you to choose the one that suits you best. Discover the different ways to breastfeed, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as our practical advice for a serene breastfeeding.
Before testing a particular position to breastfeed your child, here are some rules to follow for the baby to latch onto the breast properly and to get the most comfortable possible.
How to put baby to the breast
With your free hand, support your breast (the one you give the baby) by placing your four fingers under the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) and the thumb above the areola, without pressing. the breast. Your hand forms a “C”. For the first latchings, tickle baby's lips with your nipple or his cheek if he turns his head. Once her mouth is wide open, your nipple should point towards the back of her palate. Then bring it closer to your breast. Her chin should sink into the breast, her head extended slightly back. Rolled up on the breast, her lips have a suction cup effect. For painless latching, her mouth should cover a large part of the areola, not just the nipple. Baby should be snug, his chin buried in your breast and his nose clear.
How to get comfortable?
Breastfeeding is not easy, especially in the first few weeks when your baby needs to breastfeed often. So in order not to tire yourself too quickly, make sure you do everything to be comfortably installed at each feeding. While breastfeeding, you should not feel any strain on your legs, back and arms. Placing one or more cushions under your arms and behind your back may help. Nursing pillows also help support and keep baby close to you. Also, you should never lean forward to breastfeed the baby. If so, then you are not properly installed. As for the baby, his ear should not touch his shoulder when he sucks (the ear, shoulder and hip are aligned).
The position of the Madonna
This is the “classic” breastfeeding position. You are seated. If you are breastfeeding straight, the baby is positioned on her side with her tummy against your tummy. Her head is resting on your right forearm and you support her buttocks with your right hand. His legs and feet are placed under your left arm. For optimal comfort, place a cushion under your arms to support them and not tire yourself out, and choose an armchair with a backrest that keeps your back straight.
Benefits : in this position, the baby does not have to turn his head to nurse and his gaze is fixed on yours. It is also easy to bring the baby's body closer with your right hand (if you give the right breast) because it supports his back and buttocks. The other hand is free, you can use it to bring your breast closer to her mouth or to stroke her face. Last but not least, you can breastfeed in this position anywhere (good to know if you are on the go).
Disadvantages : The arm that supports the child may tire more quickly as the child grows and grows. Hence the importance of placing a cushion on your knees so as not to create tension in the arms and back. Also, this position requires a bit of experience as it can be difficult at first to guide, hold and bring a newborn baby's head together with the arm.
The position of the inverted Madonna
In the inverted Madonna position, you support your baby's neck with your right hand (if you give the left breast) and his body with your right forearm. The palm of your hand is under his neck and your palm is between his shoulder blades. Your left hand is used to support the left breast. Baby's body is pressed against you, his feet are under your right elbow.
Benefits : This position is recommended for newborns because it allows mothers to help the baby to latch on properly. It is also recommended for babies who are not very toned and who have difficulty sucking.
Disadvantages : the reverse Madonna is particularly suitable for toddlers. Second, the baby's weight may be difficult to support.
The semi-recumbent position or Biological Nurturing (BN)
You are in a semi-recumbent position, in a "recliner" position, that is to say slightly tilted back. The baby is prone against your chest, his feet supported by a cushion or placed directly on your legs. With your arms, you guide baby to your breast.
Benefits : resting on his tummy, the baby uses his neonatal reflexes to move, take and suck on the breast. He also uses his feet to move up towards your breast and his chin resting against your skin to latch onto the breast in his mouth. With both hands free and the baby almost fending for himself, this position promotes relaxation for the mother and relieves the back in case of lower back pain.
Disadvantages : there are not any ! Namely, a toned baby will do better to instinctively go to the breast.
The lying position on the side
You are lying on your side (left if you give the left breast) and baby is against you (under your left arm), his head facing you slightly below your breast. He lifts his head to take the breast in the mouth. You use your right arm to bring the breast closer if necessary or to hold baby close to you and guide him to your breast.
Benefits : this position is best for breastfeeding at night because you can breastfeed directly in your bed. It is also useful for women who have given birth by caesarean section or who have had an episiotomy and whose scar is painful.
Disadvantages : Of course, you are lying down but this position may not be easy. This is because if you place your hand under your head, you may feel numbness after a while. This is why it is important to wedge cushions under your neck, behind your back and possibly between your bent legs. And be careful not to fall asleep!
The position of the “rugby ball”
It is called that because it is reminiscent of the way rugby players carry the ball: sitting with a breastfeeding pillow placed on your legs, you place the baby's head under your right breast (if you give the right breast), her body is under your right arm, her legs toward your back. The child is pressed against you and his head and back are firmly on the cushion. You can use your left hand to position your breast properly.
Benefits : this position is recommended for women who have given birth by caesarean section because the baby's weight does not interfere with the scar, protected by the cushion. It is also useful for women with large breasts.
Disadvantages : this position cannot be achieved everywhere because it requires a minimum of equipment for optimal comfort (cushion and comfortable chair).
The position of the koala
If you give the right breast, baby sits astride your right thigh. His body is against your stomach. With your right hand, you hold his back. With your left hand, you hold his head. Consider placing a cushion behind your back to stay upright.
Benefits : this position is recommended for babies who suffer from digestive problems (reflux) because the body is vertical.
Disadvantages : The koala position is not possible with an infant because the baby must stand up straight. It is suitable for older babies.
The position of the wolf
Baby is lying on his back, you are on all fours on top of him so he can take your nipple in his mouth.
Benefits : this position can be useful in the event of mastitis or breast engorgement because the baby does not touch the painful breast with his hands and gravity would allow, according to testimonies of mothers who tested it, to better drain the breasts. breasts.
Disadvantages : this position cannot be practiced regularly because it is not very comfortable for the mother. Consider putting cushions under your elbows.
Breastfeeding twins: how do you breastfeed two babies at the same time?
Breastfeeding twins can be done separately (one baby at a time) or simultaneously (useful when both babies are hungry at the same time!).
If you want to breastfeed your twins at the same time, here are some ideas for positions:
- one baby in the classic Madonna position, the other in the “rugby ball” position.
- the two babies in the “rugby ball” position (you must equip yourself with a cushion specially adapted for twins).
- both babies are in the Biological Nurturing position. Your left hand supports the buttocks of the baby sucking the left breast and your right hand supports the buttocks of the baby sucking the right breast.
- the two babies are in the Madonna position. Their bodies, supported by cushions, cross.
Although written explanations and diagrams are always useful when starting to breastfeed, observation of breastfeeding mothers and experience are the best ways to learn and become familiar with this practice, which is sometimes wrongly understood.
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