position for bf - older baby

[belindarose]

Probably a bit difficult to advise on this in writing, but maybe someone has links to pictures! I've been breastfeeding my 4 month old in the way I was taught (very difficult start and had great help), with her lying on my lap using a pillow, with me in 'perfect' sitting posture. This was fine, but she's too big to lie on the pillow now. Over Christmas I tried different positions (out a lot, so pillow not always available!) but ended up with thrush and concerned that this was partly due to poor positioning. When I'm out in a cafe I can manage to feed her with her sort of sitting, but the latch isn't great and I get uncomfortable (she usually goes for very short feeds in this situation anyway). Can anyone describe a better feeding position? She is very keen to sit up and has great head control. Tiny, but still too big for the pillow thing, I think. Thanks.

I too had a difficult start, but it was about this age that I started to tuck mine into the crook of my arm/elbow and use my lower arm to support the shoulders.like this The rest of her body is free to sit/recline in my lap. At 9m we still use this for occasional night feeds.
Depending on the size of your breasts, you may need a pillow under the elbow, or on the other hand you may need to lift your breast up and out of the way with you other hand. I had to do the latter but after about a month I felt that my dd had enough control to pull back and away from the breast if it was smothering her.

How's it going? Any luck with a better position/latch?

Is there any local support available? BfN, LLL, NCT etc? These organisations aren't just for tiny babies and they would be delighted to see you and support you in finding alternative positions.

Good luck

Try something to lean your holding arm on so you're not bearing all her weight and getting your muscles all tense. I had a chair with low sides that I could put a pillow on and lean onto a bit, and also sit back so I didn't have to have my back so ramrod straight it was almost a slipper chair but with low sides. As they all got older and heavier I was grateful to have the strain off my arms and shoulders and it was nice to relax my back. When out and about, I made sure to find somewhere to sit where I could put my back against, and held them with two arms couldn't eat or drink while bfing, so food often got cold, but it worked while shopping or at church, even if it tired my arms out a bit. I also usually crossed my legs to add a bit of support and take the weight off my arms.

Thanks. Had a decent cafe feed today after watching NCT friends feeding. More upright, supporting her with the same arm as feeding breast (I do the opposite at home). I'll try a similar position for next feed, with the pillow supporting my arm. I'm going to try a Babycafe later in the week. Thanks again.

Glad to hear it. It really is about trying things out and growing with your child Good luck!