Can anyone direct me to a diagram of how to feed when lying down?

[Bimblin]

Because I am knackered and have only ever managed it on one side before (and only occasionally) - baby is 13 weeks

don't know of diagram but do side nearest baby then simply prop up on that elbow and sort of lean over? Obv depends on physiology but worked for me. If you need a bit more height, prop elbow on pillow (important not to squash the boob you're leaning over on, so to speak)

Ask an experienced friend to help...

I used to lie on my side with my lower arm above my head out of the way, and my upper arm free to position baby's mouth so we didn't have a "naughty latch". Baby lying on her side facing me (obviously!). I guess it depends on the size of your norks. Mine are modest, even full of the good stuff!

I do, and kind of squish boob into baby's mouth, but he's beginning to refuse (though he'll feed when I get up and feed him properly). Any picture would help...I have big boobs and he is quite small

If you want to send me your address I can send you a great photocopy of a leaflet we give mums to help with this, I would have found it so helpful if I'd read it when I was trying to work it out!
I won't mind if you don't want to seeing as I am a complete stranger to you

Thank you to all plus pamplemousse, I would love the leaflet but don't want to put my address on here...

or maybe this...
www.parentingweb.com/lounge/bf_basics/position_pics.htm

Or a proper picture
www.babycenter.com/0_how-do-i-hold-thee-positions-and-tips-for-making-breastfeedi_87 84.bc

Or this has lots...
www.ameda.com/breastfeeding/started/lying_down.aspx

DO give it a go, I don't know why but I found it daunting to start with, but once we'd mastered it if I was at home it was my position of choice, prop a book behind baby and you're away!!

If you still want it you can email me on littlechickpea1979 at yahoo dot co dot uk

how about this. Its from Suzanne Colsons Biologiacl Nurturing site, which is really useful

There's a really good photo on the La Leche League site - boy it saved my life.

I had a leaflet (from WHO I think) that showed woman lying on side next to baby but not holding it. I copied it but cd never get comfortable and was getting sore boobs.

La Leche League photo was far clearer than a diagram, and woman was cradling baby in arm - instant bliss! No more pain, excellent feeding, and easy to fall asleep.

This?

Or this?

Scroll down for both.

If you google and google images 'breastfeeding positions lying down' or 'nursing positions lying down' there seem to be plenty of pics around.

or this

Also, if you can do it on one side you can feed from the other breast there too. It took me 4 children to figure this out.

DD went through a phase of REFUSING to feed from one side. I let her feed from the 'good' side lying down then sort of leaned over more onto my front and got her on the 'bad' side from there.

Took a bit of tweaking, but so worth it.

Good luck

Right, will try those. Looks like it is good to let the baby be on you rather than next to you.
Thanks MNetters

or page 7 of this

I think I do it differently from most piccies. Sometimes you just have to do what works for you.

it was the only way I could get any rest too. Though my sides ached as I was never totally comfy.

I always had the baby next to me. You both need to be on your side (obviously for you, less obv for the baby). You feed from the lower boob (again, obviously, tho' you can lean over and give the higher boob too once you've got the hang of it). IIRC you don't need to prop up on your elbow -- I used to have the downside arm out and then bent at the elbow, going around the baby's back.

You need to have the baby's feet and body tucked right in to your tummy, the baby's head slightly further away. You also want to have the baby positioned slightly below your nipple, so that the baby has his head back and chin pointing slightly up. Your nipple needs to be aiming for his nose rather than his chin iyswim.

It is the very best position once you've cracked it -- it's possible for both of you to fall asleep in that position and not wake up till morning, which is fab.

Alternatively you can latch on while sitting up and holding the baby in your arms. If he's really hungry and it's the beginning of a feed, you might then be able to roll over into the lying position without breaking the latch. (sounds weirdly athletic, but used to work for me when I got overwhelmed with tiredness in the middle of a feed).