How do you hold your baby to breastfeed?

[rh2004]

Just that really! Am struggling and need new ideas....I've got a 13lb 9week old who keeps lunging his head forward when I try to latch resulting in rubbish latch!

Would love to know how everyone else holds their LO so I can get some tips!

I've got a 14 pounder and I just do the standard cradle hold, not sure it's that good for my back but my bingo wings are firming up!

On his side, on a bf cushion.

When you say standard cradle hold... Are you holding the head? Is your LO laying on your lap or do you hold him/her up?

Lying down, (tilt top shoulder over to do other side) cradle hold , cradle with elbows and /or baby propped up on cushions or feet resting on something to raise knees... Rugby hold didn't work for me and have seen women using tummy to tummy upright hold for new babies to help with latch, is that useful?

10lb ish newborn, cradle hold. His hips are roughly on my thigh, his head is on my forearm.

He's always been too long for rugby hold. We have a lying down feed maybe once a day.

Head in crook of elbow or sort of on top of arm, arm supporting body definitely raised her off lap. Hard to describe.. Is he lying on your knees, do u have to lean or hunch forward?

It's a bit random, but have a look at the koala hold here www.babycentre.co.uk/a8784/good-positions-for-breastfeeding

My sister used it to great effect but struggled with the others.

www.babycentre.co.uk/a8784/good-positions-for-breastfeeding

Cupofchai - if feeding on your right boob, is his head on your right arm?

If feeding from right, I have to hold my right boob in my right hand and try and hold him with my left, maybe I need to lie him on a pillow! Where are your hands/arms when you latch?

Thank you firemansamsmam - will give that one a go! Am struggling mainly with the latch, any tips?

Yes if he is feeding from your right boob then hold him with your right arm - as others said his head is in the crook of your elbow sort if thing. For the latch try and remember his nose should line up with your nipple, you want him to get a mouthful of breast, not just nipple.

La leche are very useful so I hear in threads like these.

I used to latch like this. hold the baby's head in front ofthe nipple and wait till she opened wide then swiftly jam her on. Not roughly obviously, but quickly, before she closed her mouth too much.

I much prefer lying her on one of those neck friendly tempur pillows (it's curved so she lies in the groove as it were) and lying down beside her. Lean over a bit more and you've covered both boobs. Plus no having to transfer into a cot from a cradle position, risking waking her up. I cosleep obviously!

Can you get to a BF drop in session?

Laid back no holding watching tv mostly.

Yes lying on right arm if feeding from right boob, use left hand to position boob and baby. Thinking back though if u want to use right hand to 'scoop' boob, try propping pillows underneath him to get him to the right position and leave u hands free. I read a great book, 'the food of love' which while being unashamedly partisan and pro-breast feeding so not a good general recommendation, was absolutely brilliant for supporting bfeeding.
It has really good pictures for all the different positions adapted for different body shapes- ie pointing out we don't all have our nipples in exactly the same places on our boobs, so u might need to hold baby at sligt angle.
I found I have to hold dd more into me on one side than the other- one nipple must point out to the side more! The things we learn...

www.llli.org/docs/0000000000000001WAB/WAB_Tear_sheet_Toolkit/01_laid_back_breastfeeding.pdf

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0954930959
Plus it is funny, and has pictures.

It sounds as though you may just be being a bit slow and careful. I would hold him along your arm, your hand on his shoulders (not his head so he stays in control), bring him towards you then as he opens his mouth lunge him onto you really quickly. You aren't going to suffocate him by making him have a face full of breast tissue but this way you should ensure he gets a good mouthful of areola.

Otherwise try a few different positions - its okay to experiment and see what works best for you both, and this will change as he grows.

Good luck

I find the koala good for the fussy ds. Lying down for sleepy. Cradle with pillows when I want to eat at the same time. I often put him in the baby carrier and smoosh my boob into his mouth for feeding out and about.
At my baby cafe they say to aim nipple to in between the eyes then bring them in real close (from any direction and angle) then wait til they tip their head back. Hth.

With both boys, it was cradle hold for left boob, rugby hold for right. my boobs are different shapes

Thanks for all the tips and links - think I will go to a bf drop in. My boobs are defo different shapes and my nipples point in not the most helpful of directions!

Good plan, you will find what is most comfortable for you and not even have to think about it fairly soon. Well done on getting this far! (and congratulations on your little boy)

do you know about lansinoh for sore nipples?

Thank you :) and yes, I apply it constantly - I just thought it would have gotten easier by now! Just when I get the latch sorted and its completely pain free, it lasts for a few days then its like I forget what I did and am back to square 1! Very frustrating!