Breastfeeding Positions

I took a breastfeeding class and the lactation consultant recommended using the cross-over hold in the beginning as well as the football hold. I took a teddy bear and was practicing as she was showing us. But I don't really understand or feel really comfortable with the position. She said that we're supposed to hold him by the back of his neck and then where does his butt go? I'm thinking maybe I can't get a grasp on it yet because my belly is so big and seems to be in the way. I bought the brest friend nursing pillow which was highly recommended by my cousin. Also, she said that with our other hand we're supposed to grab our boob in a cupping hold, I think, and wiggle it to get the baby to open his mouth, but if I'm using the regular cradle hold how am I supposed to grab my boob? What position do you recommend while first learning to breastfeed and what is the most comfortable? I'm really confused. Should I just wait until he's born and test out everything in the hospital? I just want to be really prepared.

Quoting Jackie123Pink:“ I took a breastfeeding class and the lactation consultant recommended using the cross-over hold in the ... [snip!] ... really confused. Should I just wait until he's born and test out everything in the hospital? I just want to be really prepared.”

I honestly like the lying down position that one seems to work well for both Jace and I, but the football hold i like also i just put my arm between his legs and bring my arm up his back and hold on to him that way and it is comfortable for me with pillows of course best of luck

I never could do the football hold I would start with a cross cradle, so I could hold my breast and once he was latched on I switched to a cradle hold because it was more comfortable.

Quoting jamils_mommy:“ I never could do the football hold I would start with a cross cradle, so I could hold my breast and once he was latched on I switched to a cradle hold because it was more comfortable.”

Oh that sounds good. I just feel like I would be hurting him by holding him by his neck.... Its my first baby and I've never really held a baby because I'm so scared to drop them or something....

Quoting Jackie123Pink:“ Oh that sounds good. I just feel like I would be hurting him by holding him by his neck.... Its my first baby and I've never really held a baby because I'm so scared to drop them or something...

You support there weight on your arm, and then cradle there little head in your hand. so you dont actually have to just hold the neck... There heads are so little that it fits..

Quoting jamils_mommy:“ You support there weight on your arm, and then cradle there little head in your hand. so you dont actually have to just hold the neck... There heads are so little that it fits..”

Oh ok. Thank you!

I lived for the football hold. It was the only way I could do it without sufficating him with my breast. But now he's getting too big for it, so we're experimenting with other holds.
To do the football, I just used my Boppy or other pillows.

I always do the cradle hold. I think it is the most comfy. I use a boppy pillow also. We co sleep so at night I do the lay down method. I am a belly sleeper so if she is laying on my left side I will lay kinda on my belly and feed her from my right breast.

It all depends on what YOU are the most comfortable with. Everyone is different. I wish you the best of luck!

Congrats on your decision to breastfeed!

Quoting Kim2k7:“ I always do the cradle hold. I think it is the most comfy. I use a boppy pillow also. We co sleep so ... [snip!] ... are the most comfortable with. Everyone is different. I wish you the best of luck! Congrats on your decision to breastfeed!”

Thank you!

When I was nursing, I did both. The boppy helps a lot, by the way, when it comes to where his butt will be.

My son only nursed on the left side with the football hold and the right side with the cross over hold.

I loved the football hold. I just propped my arm up with pillows. Now he can just lay on my boppy or pillows and nurse in the football hold. I usually nurse laying down though, cause I'm lazy like that.  

The football hold is popular with moms who had a c-section...

I did it some, but my son was too large for it.

We mostly do the cross-over and now we do the lying-down position alot too.

I was googling for you:

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breastfeeding/positions/


Check out the women breastfeeding twins! I couldn't imagine...

Quoting DanYAYelle:“ I was googling for you: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breastfeeding/positions/ Check out the women breastfeeding twins! I couldn't imagine...”

Oh wow. Thank you. That covers everything and I like that it has pictures so I can see how it's supposed to be done.

Quoting DanYAYelle:“ I was googling for you: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breastfeeding/positions/ Check out the women breastfeeding twins! I couldn't imagine...”

i love how the last one has the twins stacked like lil pancakes....idk if i could tandem nurse, i might feel like an oversized mama dog/kitty