There is no one right position to breastfeed your baby. It is all about what position is the most comfortable for you and your baby. There are different positions that are typically more comfortable for c-section recovery. There are also specific breastfeeding positions for fast or slow letdown, reflux, and sore nipples. It can take trial and error in the early days of breastfeeding to find what positions works best for you.
Breastfeeding after a c-section is like training for a marathon after having major surgery. Your body is trying to recover while also working hard at feeding your new baby. Breastfeeding can come with challenges in the beginning. There may be discomfort and there may be times you’ll want to give up but it is also a beautiful, tender, and nurturing process.
After a c-section, it can be difficult to get into positions while breastfeeding and may take longer to get comfortable, and that’s okay. It is a learning process for both you and your baby. It will get easier. Take your time to get situated because your recovery is also important! You would be surprised how a much core muscle strength it takes just move in a chair with a 7lb baby in your arms.
- Football hold
The baby is tucked under your arm on the side the baby is nursing on. The baby’s body is along your side, and their feet are around your body toward your back while you support the baby’s neck with your hand their body is resting along your forearm. Be sure that your baby’s head and neck are in line with their body. You can use the opposite free hand to assist the baby with latching. The football hold is a common position for c-section moms because the baby weight is toward the side and off the incision.
This is a good position to try for:
- C-section recovery
- Newborns
- Women with larger breast
- Twins
- Babies with reflux
Tips:
•Use firm pillows or a nursing pillow for support; it is key for this position.
•Be sure the baby’s chin is touching the breast and away from their chest for easy swallowing and that their nose is the nose free.
*This is a position that never quite worked for me and my baby personally but I wanted it too. I think if it works for you it could be a great position in the early days of breastfeeding after a c-section.
- Laid-back or reclined position
In the laid back breastfeeding position you are in a reclined position supported by pillows around your back and arms on a couch, bed, or recliner. You and the baby are tummy-to-tummy with their cheek resting on the breast and your nipple towards the upper lip to encourage latching. This position uses the baby’s natural reflex to find the breast. This position is great for c-section recovery because it reduces strain on the back and abdomen.
Tip:
• If you are in a bed and not a recliner after a cesarean even in a supportive position with pillows, it can be challenging when you are ready the sit completely upward. I recommend having a safe place to rest baby while you use arm to assist you with sitting up if needed.
- Side-lying position
This can be a great position after a c-section with pillow support. You and your baby both lie on your sides, tummy-to-tummy with their mouth level to your nipple. Use a pillow under your head and behind your back to prevent rolling forward, which can put pressure on the incision area. This may take some practice and assistance to position the pillows at first while you are healing. If your top leg falls forward, try placing a pillow between your legs to keep your hips in place and ultimately reduce tugging on the incision. Nurses and lactation consultants can help you position your baby safely for this position.
This position is also great for:
- Night feeds
- Postpartum recovery when sitting is hard.
Tip:
– A rolled towel behind the baby can help prevent the baby from rolling away from you.
*I personally found this position was great for my baby when learning to latch. I loved being able to lay down in the early days of breastfeeding because there were some long feeds in the early weeks as my baby is learning to feed efficiently. This position allowed me and my baby to relax.
Other Common Breastfeeding Positions to Try After Healing
*Be aware these may put pressure on your incision in the early days after a c-section. Remember pillows will always help support. You can never have enough pillows!
- Cradle hold
In this position, hold the baby tummy-to-tummy with the baby’s head in the bend of your elbow while your forearm supports their back and your hand on their bottom. Be sure their body is in line with the head and neck and not twisted upward or away from you. You can use the opposite hand to adjust and help the baby latch.
*This was and still is my go-to breastfeeding position after a month of healing from my c-section and trying different positions.
Cross-cradle Hold
This one is similar to the cradle hold, only using the opposite arm to support the baby. If feeding on the right breast, you would use the left arm to hold the baby to the breast. With your forearm arm supporting your under baby’s body and hand up supporting the neck. Your free hand can shape the breast and assist the baby with latching. This is a great position to try with newborns.
Tip:
•Hold the baby’s neck with the supporting arm. Holding the baby’s head can cause them to pull back.
*I used the cross-cradle hold as a transitional position. Once my baby was latched using the cross-cradle hold transitioned to the classic cradle hold for more comfort by just adding my free arm under her head and neck.
Quick tips for latching: Bring the nipple from nose to mouth, and when the baby’s mouth opens wide place the breast in the mouth toward the roof of the mouth. The baby’s chin should be tucked to the breast with the nose free for airflow. Lips should be flanged, if they are tucked in; try to adjust or latch again. If you are experiencing pain, try to latch the baby again. This part takes patience when the baby is learning to latch but it should not be painful.
I hope this post gave you ideas of how to comfortably breastfeed after your c-section to help in your recovery journey! Please reach out to a lactation consultant if you are experiencing pain while breastfeeding or if you need live in person assistance with positioning or help with your baby latching.
Check out my post for Breastfeeding Essentials
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